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Everything was going great, and the turnout was even better than she’d hoped. Most of the neighbors were eager to see the inside of the newly built home. Only their closest friends had been over to visit since she and Damon rebuilt.
A lot of the houses inside the gated community were similar in style, having been built around the same time by the same contractor. Only theirs and the oldest homes that had been here before the gates had wildly different layouts. And from the compliments she’d heard, people loved their choices.
Sheila, currently dressed as a cartoon mouse, was a dentist who lived a few blocks over. She stopped Ariana. “I can’t believe I’ve never been to one of your parties before. Are they always this elaborate?”
“Mostly. The escape room is new. Every year we try to come up with something different.”
“And your costume! You’re absolutely adorable. Do you mind if I get a group picture to put on the HOA website? That needs to be front and center. What a selling point!”
Ariana beamed. “I’d love that, and I guarantee my parents would share the link far and wide.”
“Oh, are they here? I’d love to meet them!” Sheila looked around.
“No, they’re with my younger siblings at a party. After I left, my dad’s best friend took over hosting a huge party each year. It’s too far to drive for one night.”
“Pity. I’m sure your parents wish they could see you more.”
Ari ignored the stab of guilt, but she and Damon had good reasons for moving so far from their hometown. “Yes, but we’ll be there for about a week at Thanksgiving.”
“They’ll love that! Well, next time they come this way, let me know. I’d love to meet them.”
“Will do.”
Someone in the back of the room dressed as a hunter caught Ariana’s eye. She hadn’t seen him before, and she’d made a point to welcome everyone.
He was also staring at Bella.
Ariana turned her attention back to Sheila. “I see someone I need to talk to. We’ll catch up some more in a bit?”
“Certainly! I’m going to round up everyone for that group picture.” Sheila joined the nearest group of costume-clad guests.
Ari inched toward the man in camouflage. He didn’t seem to notice her, as he was intensely focused on Bella. Her living dead bride costume was striking, but his attention to her was over the top. And considering Ariana hadn’t seen him come in, he was high on her suspicion list.
He had to be either Diego or Neil.
The man visibly tensed as Bella laughed with the group of women gathered around her.
When Ariana turned her attention back to the man, someone in a hockey uniform had joined him. Now there were two men she hadn’t seen arrive. Both focused on Bella.
It had to be the two of them. They were here, in her home. Somehow they’d managed to get inside unnoticed.
Ariana’s stomach churned acid, and a chill ran through her. This was really happening. The murderous Halloween haters had come to her party, a place of refuge. Except for the year she was eleven.
That hadn’t gone well. She’d been abducted.
But she’d survived. Beat the odds. Lived to teach others personal safety, to have a hand in helping others through similar life-threatening circumstances.
She could protect Bella as well. This would just be one more story for the books.
Sheila grabbed her arm. “We’re going to do the picture in front of the fireplace.”
“Picture… right.” Ariana followed her, keeping her attention on the two mystery men.
Sheila pointed everyone in place while Damon set up his camera on the tripod.
Ariana needed to get to him. Ask if he’d let those guys in. Maybe he knew them from somewhere. But where? They lived and worked together. Hardly spent any time apart. Their worlds were one and the same. His friends were her friends and vice-versa.
Maybe they were new neighbors or friends of someone in the community.
