Page 22 of Daddy’s Oath (The Daddy Guard #2)

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 was a Daddy, but not their Daddy. 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.”

“ If they 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’t see who is watching.

But we can see where they’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. ”

“That close?” Ace asked.

Stryker nodded. “If anyone is there, I’d guess it’s the U.S. Marshals, set up in another apartment or maybe an office or something. Probably flashed their badges, got warrants or something, and told the building manager they had to be there. Because if Lana comes home, they need to get her fast.”

“Ah. Makes sense,” Ace said. “They came in awfully quick when I pulled that little stunt, setting up the cameras. I’m kind of surprised they didn’t arrest me.”

“Yeah. But you looked like a legit A/C guy. I bet they talked to the building manager, though, after you left. Now they know you weren’t. We can’t pull that scam twice,” Stryker noted.

Harrison downed his own drink as he stood by the couch. “Assuming they are in the building,” he said. “Could always be in a surveillance van or something across the street.”

“True,” Stryker noted. "But they’re still close, either way.

Unless they were still just milling about because everything had just gone down.

But I’m willing to bet there’s a couple still hanging around.

They lost someone they were supposed to protect.

They’re gonna want to get this cleaned up as soon as possible. ”

“What about the guys chasing Lana?” Jack asked. “You think they’re that close, too?”

“Eh. It’s possible,” Stryker conceded. “But not likely. They don’t have the authority the Marshals do. They can’t just tell a building’s owner or manager that they get to set up shop there.”

“That’s right,” Ace said. “The federal government can get away with a little more.”

“Maybe they rented a unit there in the building. Could be using it as a command center,” Harrison suggested. “But I guess it takes time to close on an apartment and stuff. Probably couldn’t make it happen this fast.”

“Yep. But they might still be close. Just not as close as the marshals,” Stryker suggested.

“So, what’s the plan then?” Jordan asked. He was standing by the pool table, leaning on a cue. “There’s got to be some way we can get you in there to trace the signal.”

Stryker was grinning as he stood. Even though they were talking about something gravely serious, in that instant, Ace saw the gleam of a mischievous Little in his eyes.

“I say we cause a distraction. But first, we need to find exactly where the marshals are watching from. Then, as I said, we stage something. Something big enough to draw them out. All I need is about ten minutes in her apartment. And I think we can buy me that time. But it’s going to take some doing. ”

Ace put his hand on Stryker’s shoulder. “We’re in. Just tell us what you need us to do.”

Before Stryker could elaborate any further on the plan, the conversation was interrupted by a loud squeaking noise. Ace looked to his right to see the wall had swung open.

Two Littles spilled from the space, falling onto the floor. They quickly scrambled to their feet and then looked around the room nervously as they realized all eyes were on them.

Benson trotted in and gave a friendly bark before taking his spot behind the couch and lying down.

“Oh boy,” Ace said, shaking his head. “I know two naughty girls who have some explaining to do.”