Page 42 of Daddy's Oath
The secret passage had taken them straight to the den.
And they were just in time to eavesdrop on the Daddy Guard’s planning session.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Glad you could come, Stryker. Good to see you, too, Harrison,” Ace said as the Hollywood elite walked into the den.
“We’re a package deal,” Stryker replied with a smirk. “What’s up?”
Ace knew that was true. The two best friends seemed to be with each other more often than not. And he’d heard about their legendary exploits in Mountainville and beyond.
Stryker and Harrison had quite the reputation of getting into trouble.
That wasn’t any of his business, though. He wasaDaddy, but nottheirDaddy. They had Mommies to handle them.
If anything, the two guys were his bosses. Sort of. They paid for the Daddy Guard. In a way, it was their show.
Though they didn’t meddle too much in the day-to-day operations.
“I have an idea. I’m not even sure it’s possible but figured you’d know.” Ace jerked his head toward the bar. “But first, you guys want a drink?”
“If you don’t mind,” Harrison answered with a nod.
Ace grinned. “You own this place, dude.”
Everyone, including Harrison, laughed. Walking to the bar, the actor said, “I’ll mix ‘em while you talk. Stryker, you want the usual?”
“Yep.”
Harrison got to work while Stryker sat down.
Ace stood and began his presentation.
“As you know, we got the cameras placed today. I appreciate you turning them on. We’ve been monitoring things but haven’t seen signs of anyone.”
Kendrick nodded. “I got one alert earlier, but when I checked the monitors, it was just the way the sunlight was falling in through the patio doors. Triggered the camera for a minute.”
“Maybe it’ll take a while for them to return,” Stryker said. “Whoever these people after Lana are.”
“Ifthey do,” Ace countered. “Since they have their own cameras, our thinking is that they won’t risk going back unless they have reason to.”
“Makes a lot of sense,” Stryker said. He reached out and took the glass Harrison offered him.
“We have a couple of options. Maybe. One is to send bait in. Of course, there’s no way I’d put my little sweetie in that position,” Ace said. It felt good to think of Lana as his. He remembered the conversation they’d had earlier. Right now, he was only her Daddy while she was under the Guard’s care. That would change soon enough. She was his forever. It was only a matter of time until she realized it.
“We could send Athena in, dressed in a hoodie or something that concealed her,” he continued. “It’s possible we could make her look enough like Lana. At least from a distance. And she’d be willing to do it. But none of us like the idea of putting her in harm’s way.”
“That’s for damn sure,” Jack said from where he sat in one of the overstuffed leather chairs.
The other Daddies in the room voiced their agreement.
“Let’s not even mention that idea to her,” Isaiah suggested. “Because she wouldn’t let it go until we actually did it.”
Ryan agreed with a nod. “She’s got a way of getting her way.”
“Yep. Athena is out. Not even a possibility. That leads us to the other option,” Ace said. “That is, if it even is one.” He watched Stryker take a sip of his drink before continuing. “You’re good with all that tech stuff. Can you trace one of those cameras? Like, they have them set up to monitor the apartment. But can we reverse that and see who is on the other end? Learn where they’re watching from?”
Stryker seemed to be considering it as he took another drink. Finally, he nodded. “We can’tseewho is watching. But we can seewherethey’re at. I’d have to get some equipment. Could probably have it by tomorrow. And then I’d need to be in the apartment.” He paused to down the rest of his drink. After smacking his lips, he said, “Here’s the risky part. Obviously, folks are watching. They might even be there in the building.”
