Page 26 of Daddy’s Protection (The Daddy Guard #3)
It wasn’t even dark yet and the party was already hopping at Auntie Athena’s.
“You look so cute!” the matronly proprietor said as she greeted Cami, Iris, and Lana at the door. “Turn around for me and let me see all of your costumes.”
“I’m a zombie princess!” Cami announced.
Cami knew she’d put a lot of thought into her unique costume. She looked wonderful, too! It also made her happy. Iris loved old stuff.
“And I’m a witch like you!” Lana told Auntie Athena.
“We’re of the same coven.” Athena winked. “Go on inside and have fun. Just remember—this is a fun Halloween party. Not a terrifying one.”
The ladies laughed, knowing the scares would come later.
They hugged Auntie and went inside.
Cami smiled at how many people filled the house, dancing to “Monser Mash.” While she and her friends had kept their costumes free of any telltale Little signs—not wanting to expose their ride-share driver or anyone else to their kink without consent—some people at Auntie’s were enjoying the freedom and safety of the private atmosphere.
There was “Little Dracula”—a menacing vampire who just happened to wear only a diaper below the waist.
She spotted more than one diapered werewolf. And the Bride of Frankenstein dancing nearby had a pacifier in her mouth as she shook her body to the music.
Other assorted monsters—and some not-so-scary costumes—were about, too.
The air smelled of pumpkins, candy, popcorn, and sweet baked treats. Before she could join in any of the fun, Cami’s phone buzzed. Looking at the lock screen, she said, “Hey, it’s my aunt. I need to take this. Be right back.”
She accepted the call and then quickly ducked back out the front door, leaving the noise behind. In the crips early evening air, she said, “Aunt Camille!”
“Hey, honey. You okay?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I’ve been meaning to call before now. I’m sorry it’s taken so long. Things are crazy with the launch. Some guys came to see me. The private detectives…”
Cami stifled a laugh. She wasn’t about to correct her aunt and explain the Daddy Guard.
Private eyes worked good enough.
“Oh yeah. I’m just fine. Nothing they can’t handle.”
“Sounds like things are pretty crazy at your house. Are you staying there?”
“No. I’m crashing with some friends.” Again, Cami didn’t feel the need to explain all the specifics. There were some things you just didn’t tell family! She didn’t want to know about Camille’s love life. She figured her aunt didn’t want to know about hers, either.
“It’s a cool house,” she continued. “Theda Bara used to own it! It’s over there off West Adams. Right by St. Vincent de Paul’s.”
“That old church is lovely,” Camille said. “I’m sure the house is, too. Great area. It sounds like you’re safe.” A few seconds passed before she added, “Look, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. Do you want to stay with me? You know you’re always welcome.”
“Thanks. But I’m all good. My friends and I are having a good time. We’re even going to have a Halloween party later!”
Aunt Camille sounded happy for her when she said, “Well, sounds like you’re having fun. I’m glad. Call if you need me. Don’t drink and drive. And let’s chat soon. Bye, honey.”
“Goodbye. Thanks for checking in.”
After the call ended, Cami went back inside where the party was going strong.
“Everything okay?” Iris asked.
“Yeah. Just my Aunt Camille checking on me. You guys ready to have some fun?”
“Yes!” the other two Littles cheered.
Stryker and Harrison noticed Cami and her friends and cut through the crowd.
“Hey, Dracula,” Cami said to Harrison.
“Hey, you knew! Specifically, I’m the Christopher Lee version when he’s getting his face melted off by the sun.” He grinned and touched the ghastly makeup he wore.
“It looks great!” Cami told him.
“Thanks,” he said.
“And hello to you, Professor Van Helsing,” Lana said to Stryker.
He took a bow befitting of a Victorian gentleman, looking appropriate in his outfit. “Vampire hunter extraordinaire, at your service.” He grinned. “We’re still on for the scary party back at y’all’s place, right?”
“Uh, yes!” Iris said.
“Going to hang out here for a while then go there,” Cami told them.
“Sounds good,” Stryker said. “Just wait until you see what I have in store tonight. I’m going to rig up some special surprises to really get people scared. Some ghosts might make an appearance.”
The group laughed gleefully.
“Come on,” Cami said. “Let’s have some fun!”
Cami, Lana, and Iris left Auntie Athena’s after about an hour and took advantage of the fact they weren’t wearing “Little” outfits—and the fact that they weren’t driving—and stopped by El Coyote for margaritas.
The iconic white building with its red awnings had stood on Beverly Boulevard for over seventy-five years.
After walking past the small lobby with its waiting bench, host station, and framed pictures of celebrities who’d eaten there over the decades covering the walls, the girls settled into a cozy round booth toward the back of one of the eatery’s multiple rooms.
Once they had their drinks and a huge plate of nachos, Cami raised her glass.
“Here’s to Halloween, good friends, hot Daddies, and ‘ritas!”
“I’ll drink to that!” Lana said.
“Amen,” Iris agreed as she clinked her giant glass against theirs.
An hour later, they were back at the Daddy Guard headquarters, ready for some scary fun.
None of them knew just how scary their night was going to be.