Page 3 of Devil's Embrace
As we continued down the street, Mina's confidence grew with each house.By the fifth stop, she was proudly declaring "Trick or treat!"without prompting, though still in her naturally soft voice.
"Mama, look!"She squealed after receiving a packet of gummy bears."My favorite!"
"That's wonderful, baby."Pride swelled in my chest.Her little plastic pumpkin was growing heavier, and the pure joy on her face made every sacrifice worth it.
I checked my watch—we'd been out for about forty minutes, and Mina showed no signs of tiring.The streets were getting more crowded as darkness fell completely, and more elaborate costumes began to appear.
We turned onto Maple Street, known for its generous candy offerings, when I felt Mina suddenly freeze beside me.
A group of teenage boys in grotesque monster masks jumped out from behind a large oak tree, roaring and waving their arms.They weren't targeting us specifically—just trying to scare anyone who passed by—but Mina's unicorn horn trembled as she shrank against me.
"Hey now," I said firmly to the boys, "That's enough.There are little ones out here."
One of them shrugged and muttered, "Whatever, lady," before they moved on to frighten other trick-or-treaters.
I kneeled down to Mina's level, her blue eyes wide with lingering fear."It's okay, sweet pea.They're just big kids being silly.Those aren't actual monsters."
"Are you sure?"Her lip quivered slightly.
"I'm positive."I tucked a strand of blonde hair back under her unicorn hood."And you know what?I think we should try Preston Avenue next.I heard they have houses that give out those chocolate peanut butter cups you love."
She nodded, her fear already fading at the mention of her favorite candy.
I stood and steered us toward the quieter, better-lit streets of the Preston Avenue neighborhood.My mother's instinct told me to avoid the rowdier sections where teenagers gathered.Mina's safety and happiness were all that mattered tonight.
"Hi there!"A woman approached us, holding the hand of a little boy dressed as a dinosaur."I love your unicorn costume."
"Thank you," Mina replied, still somewhat shy but warming up to the compliment.
"I'm Diana," the woman said, extending her hand to me."That's my son, Robbie.We moved to Havenview last month."
"I'm Emory, and this is Mina."I reached out to shake her hand."Welcome to the neighborhood."
"Is your husband taking the night off?"Diana glanced around as if expecting someone to join us."Mine drew the short straw and had to work tonight."
The familiar pang hit my chest."It's just us," I said simply, not wanting to launch into my single-mom story with a stranger.
"Oh."Her smile faltered slightly before recovering."Well, maybe we could trick-or-treat together?Safety in numbers and all that."
I hesitated.Part of me welcomed the adult company, but another part—the fiercely independent part that had raised Mina alone for five years—resisted letting anyone else into our little world, even temporarily.
"Maybe another time."I smiled politely."Mina has her heart set on finding those chocolate peanut butter cups, and we're on a mission."
"No problem.Happy Halloween!"Diana waved as she led her dinosaur son in another direction.
"Happy Halloween," Mina called back, surprising me with her boldness.
We continued our candy hunt, Mina's purple pumpkin bucket growing heavier with each house.I watched her skip ahead a few steps, then wait dutifully for me to catch up—exactly as we'd practiced.Her unicorn costume shimmered under the streetlights, and for a moment, I allowed myself to believe in a bit of magic too.
I might not be able to give her everything other kids had—a father, grandparents, a big house with a yard—but tonight, watching her twirl in her unicorn costume under the Halloween moon, I knew I was giving her what mattered most: love, attention, and memories that would last forever.
Chapter Two
Luca
I slipped deeper into the shadows between the buildings, adjusting my tailored black coat to better conceal the weight of the Glock nestled against my ribs.The distant shrieks and laughter of costumed children meant nothing to me—background noise, irrelevant to the task at hand.Halloween provided convenient cover; sugar-fueled excitement distracted people from noticing a man conducting business in the dark corners of Havenview.
The side street was perfect—close enough to the festivities to blend in if needed, yet removed from prying eyes.I positioned myself beneath a burned-out streetlight, my back to the brick wall of an abandoned storefront.From here, I could see anyone approaching from either direction.
