Page 18 of Daddy's Oath
“What’s up?” Ace asked.
“We have a situation here that calls for the Daddy Guard.”
Ace stood from his bed.
“I’m on my way.”
Ace asked Isaiah to tag along with him.
Trevon was standing by the black iron gate, waiting for them when they pulled up to the nursery. Ace smiled as he thought of the giant man blending into the nearby Santa Monica Mountains. It was hard to tell him apart from them.
“Thanks for coming,” Trevon said, offering his hand.
Ace was no weakling. By most people’s standards he was big and strong. Lots of muscles. But he knew to brace himself as he shook Trevon’s hand.
It took everything he had not to wince. He imagined the same was true for Isaiah.
“Glad you called us,” Ace said, ignoring the throbbing pain.
“Let’s go on inside. This little lady has quite a story to share,” Trevon told them.
The mansion was white stucco with a red-tile roof. Beautifully manicured grounds surrounded it. The classic California architecture and the beautiful flowers screamed Hollywood.
Inside, Auntie Athena’s Nursery was a tastefully decorated, clean yet homey space.
Trevon led the way into the kitchen where some people were gathered around a table in the breakfast nook. Ace easily recognized Harrison Trent. Not only was he one of the most famous actors on the planet, but he was one of the Daddy Guard’s benefactors. The guy next to him was Stryker.
Stryker—Ace didn’t know if that was his first or last name and didn’t know what went with it—was taller than Harrison but had less muscle. He also had dark blond hair and blue eyes. He now directed pictures but had started out as a stuntman. Ace loved hearing his cool stories about Hollywood. He’d had some wild times and close calls, that was for sure.
Ace didn’t recognize the young woman who sat at the table with them. He figured she was why he and Isaiah were there, representing the Guard.
Her beauty stopped him in his tracks.
She had long, black hair and eyes that matched her dark complexion.
Simply put, she was intoxicating. “This is Lana Reyes,” Trevon’s booming voice announced. “She’s had quite a night.”
“Indeed she has,” Athena said, walking to the table from the attached kitchen. She placed a mug in front of Lana. Smoke curled from the liquid. “It’s lavender tea, dear. It will help you relax.”
Lana nodded. “Thank you.”
Ace continued to study her. She seemed dazed. Trevon had told them she’d had a rough night.Obviously they wouldn’t be here if she hadn’t,Ace noted silently.
He offered his best, most reassuring smile. At least, he hoped it was reassuring.
“I’m sorry you’ve had a rough time tonight. My name is Ace. This is Isaiah. We’re with the Daddy Guard and we’re here to help.”
This brought a smile from Lana, at least, but it was short-lived. Her eyes instantly shifted downward again, and she looked into her steaming tea but didn’t take a sip yet.
Instead, she asked in a meek voice, “What’s the Daddy Guard?”
Before Ace could answer, Harrison spoke up. “That’s the people I mentioned earlier, back at the studio. The group that helps Littles.”
“You two know each other, huh?” Ace asked.
Harrison looked at him. “We talked earlier. She works on the lot.”
This seemed to make Lana nervous, because she hugged herself and rocked a little, appearing uncomfortable.
