VEE

“Xander will lose his shit if he comes back and finds Kailey missing,” says Heath as we walk behind the small group along the pavement. “She isn't supposed to leave the house.”

Kailey and her friend Jamie walk in front of us, a mum either side as we wander towards a house with ghosts in the front garden. “She'll be fine with us here,” I reply. “Besides, Xander already lost his shit. He's on a crazy mission to find a teenage girl.”

Heath left his werewolf mask in the house, and I catch his doubtful look.

“Kailey is protected by a Horseman or two,” I whisper in his ear. “I promised her we'd visit the houses to the end of the street, and then we'll head back again. Fifteen minutes. Tops.” I rub my bare arm. Fifteen minutes is enough in October weather.

“You're too soft,” says Heath and runs his finger along my nose. “Caring.”

“No, I just didn't want to listen if she had a tantrum,” I admit.

The wind blows leaves around my ankles and as we walk my feet ache in the shoes with higher heels than normal.

We stop as Kailey and her group head up the path to a brightly lit doorway, and the women greet each other. Heath slides an arm around my waist and rests his hand on my hip. “You look delicious tonight,” he murmurs in my ear.

“You look... animalistic.”

He nips my earlobe. “I can be if you want.” His hand slides to my backside and squeezes.

I turn to Heath and slide a hand along his furry chest beneath this shirt. The costume smells odd, but beneath I catch his familiar scent. I tiptoe to nip his lip in return for his bite. Heath takes hold of face, and his mouth presses against mine with a sudden urgency. I sink into him, glad of the warmth as he envelops me in his furry arms. Heath's cool lips move against mine, and when I respond to his kiss, he digs his fingers into my hair. This man kisses with a raw passion that builds intensity between us faster than I've experienced with anybody else.

Heath releases my hair and closes his hands over my backside, continuing his exploration of my mouth with his tongue as he pulls me into him. He tastes of the sweet green punch we drank, and the energy passes between our lips, arousing me further.

People don't kiss the way Heath does in public, or they shouldn't with children around.

I step back and rub my thumb across his lips. “Red lipstick doesn't suit you.”

He adjusts his pants. “Neither does this around kids.”

“Heath!” I hiss.

He winks at me as the mothers and kids rejoin us. The party set off walking along the pavement further, and we follow at a slow pace.

“If this were a true Halloween there'd be at least one creepy house on the corner,” I say with a smile. “But I guess nobody in the neighbourhood can escape Portia's scrutiny. She knows everything about everybody.”

“So why the fuss about letting Kailey trick or treat?”

“She worries what's in the treats, I think. Just like any other mother at Halloween.”

“I seriously do not understand any of this.” Heath takes my hand, and we continue to follow. “If people are worried psychos will poison or kidnap their kids, why do all this?”

“Tradition?” I suggest. I don't understand either, but there's something infectious about the freedom and community happening around us. Not only do the kids escape into fantasy, but the adults do too. From cooing over the tiny children's costumes to complimenting the proud primary school age kids for their efforts, and taking the opportunity to dress up and have fun.

I understand safety worries, but nothing feels unsafe on this street.

We continue along our journey and supervision of Kailey. Our deal is that she's not permitted to eat unwrapped treats until we've examined it. As this agreement with Kailey was the difference between her being allowed out or not, she begrudgingly agreed.

I wait with Heath as she visits yet another house. This time the mothers spend longer than the last chatting and Heath passes the time by whispering dirty suggestions in my ear.

My vivid imagination triggers a desire to head home with him right about now. I shift away before temptation gets the better of me.

Ewan strides along the pavement towards us. This Frankenstein doesn't lumber but holds a determination I've seen many times before. Something's wrong.

“Ewan?” I ask.

“I need to speak to Heath.” He grabs Heath's ripped shirtsleeve and pulls him to one side.

Before I can retort, Kailey skips down the path towards me before tripping over. Her bucket spills the contents everywhere, and I dash over to help gather up the lollipops and wrapped sweets. She looks on crestfallen. The mother with us crouches down to help too, and we manage to interrupt the tears building in Kailey's eyes.

I straighten, and the mother smiles at me, before inclining her head towards Heath and Ewan.

“Can you introduce me?” she asks.

I spoke to Sarah before; she's at the party with her son, Jamie, who's currently skipping in circles eager to take himself to the next house. She's a younger mother than the others, and single. Attractive. And reacting to the guys as any woman with a pulse would.

Tonight is my first time with the guys in public at a human social occasion, and I'd never considered there'd be mothers here. Why didn't Portia stay around?

“Or are they both yours?” She nudges me.

What the hell do I say? I glance to where the two stand, heads together, talking in urgent tones, then back to Sarah. “Um. I guess.”

“Oh!” Her stunned expression reminds me why I don't like answering personal questions. “How about the other two guys? I wouldn't kick them out of bed either!” Sarah purses her lips. “Surely they're not all yours? The masked guy is super cute. And the blond guy...” She raises a brow. “I don't usually go for blonds, but I'd make an exception.”

I make a noise of agreement, trying with every ounce of me not to reply.

“Or are all four guys taken?” She sighs. “I suppose they must be.”

“They are.”

Why, when I need him to, can't Jamie make a demand of his mother? I'll probably never see this woman again, but there's something uncomfortable about telling her I'm in a relationship with four guys. How would she understand?

The whole truth isn't much better.

“Are you a friend of Portia's?” she asks as we continue to wait for Ewan and Heath.

“The guys are. I only know her because of them.”

“Right. Portia is lovely! Isn't she?”

Are we talking about the same woman? “I don't know her well.”

Sarah touches her chest. “Oh, my. She fundraises for the school and community with all her projects. As head of the parent's council, she has everything, and everyone organised. We've raised enough to pay for a new school playground. Isn't that wonderful?”

I'd imagined Portia front and centre in the community, but at the same time, confused why she'd expose herself this much. She's taken the 'in plain sight' idea to the extreme; nobody can question who Portia is when she's this deeply involved in the community.

Clever Portia decided not to live on the edge, but to have the community surround her.

“Such a shame she missed tonight. Portia would've loved all this.” She gestures at the people around us. “But, family is the centre of her world.”

Uh huh. Including the daughter who's disappeared, with Xander chasing her.

Heath touches my shoulder and leans in to whisper, “We need to get Kailey back to the house.”

I attempt to hide my alarm as Sarah watches. “Why?”

“Xander called. We need to meet him.”

I turn to face Heath so Sarah can no longer see. “Why? What happened to Elyssia?”

“This isn't about her, but something else. Are all the kids in this street supervised?”

My heart thumps against my chest. Kids? “I think so. Heath, what's happening?”

“Hey, uh... Kailey. Your mum's on her way home. We'd better get back to the house before she does,” says Ewan.

Kailey's face falls for the second time in five minutes.

“Shit, she's not about to cry is she?” Ewan's alarmed face amuses me as if the little girl will transform into something horrific.

“Honestly!” I hiss. “How many times? You can't swear around kids.”

Ewan tips a half smile to Sarah. “Apologies.”

One smile, and he's charmed her into forgiving him. Judging by the look on her face, she'd forgive him anything for another smile, or even a touch. “That's okay. I don't think she heard.”

“Elyssia says ‘shit’ all the time,” Kailey informs us.

An awkward silence follows Kailey's foul-mouthed admission, but Kailey continues. “She also says fu—”

“Okay, Kailey!” interrupts Sarah and claps her hands

“C'mon,” says Heath through gritted teeth. “Get them home.”

“I don't want to!” pouts Kailey.

“I think you have enough sweets,” I reply. “Come on, let's go home for more cake. Don't we have the special Halloween piñata to hit?”

“Piñata!” The little boy jumps up and down showering the street with his spoils.

“He can carry me; I'm tired.” Kailey points at Ewan. “He can scare the monsters away.”

“He sure can,” I laugh out.

“I can't carry you!” He backs away.

“Aww, look, Ewan can fight monsters, but he's scared of little girls.” I bite away a laugh as Ewan shoots me a look.

“Pick her up, it'll be quicker,” urges Heath.

What's going on here?

Kailey holds out her arms and Ewan picks her up. He awkwardly holds her at arm's length, scared she’ll touch him. “Joss should be here. He can do this.”

Sarah giggles too. “I don't think Ewan's dad material, is he? She won't bite you.”

“Shoulders,” she demands.

He frowns. “Please.”

“Please.”

“Oh for f—” he begins to mutter then corrects himself before awkwardly leveraging Kailey onto his shoulders. He protests as she grips onto his unruly hair.

As we start the brisk walk back to the house, I can't help but laugh at the scene. Kailey is as much her mother's daughter as Elyssia. The only difference is, Kailey can make the boys do what she wants.