Page 9 of Daddy’s Oath (The Daddy Guard #2)

Chapter Nine

It was just after one in the morning when Ace got the call.

“Hello?” he said, a little groggy as he tried to shake the cobwebs of sleep from his brain.

“Ace. It’s Trevon.”

There’d been no need for the man to identify himself. First of all, his contact info was in Ace’s phone. But secondly, he had the deepest voice on the planet. It matched his giant, hulking frame, too.

Trevon stood at least five inches over six feet and had muscles to spare. He looked every bit the ex-pro-football player that he was.

“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.

“I’m sorry,” Harrison told her as he put his hand gently on her shoulder. “But if you want their help, you’ll have to share all the details with them.”

A tense moment passed.

It was Stryker who broke the silence. “They’re good guys, Lana. You can trust ‘em.”

“I’ll second that,” Athena added.

Lana finally raised the tea to her lips and took a sip. Ace and Isaiah sat down across from her and waited.

She could take all the time she needed, as far as Ace was concerned.

A full minute passed before she said, “My story is kind of crazy. Are you sure you want to hear it?”

Ace took it upon himself to answer on behalf of the Guard. “Absolutely. Like Harrison said, we help Littles. And I’m assuming you’re a Little.”

She smiled and giggled.

The reaction warmed Ace’s heart. She was a cutie, that was for sure. And he was glad to see the moment of levity, even if it didn’t last long. Her worried expression quickly returned.

Ace could read a lot of fear in those big, beautiful dark eyes.

“Yes, Sir. I’m a Little.”

“Then this is a match made in heaven,” Ace said with a grin. “Though I’m sorry you’re in trouble.”

He wondered if this was in fact a match made in heaven. Though he’d just met her, his Daddy instincts were kicking into overdrive. He wanted nothing more than to scoop her into his arms, hold her tight, and tell her that everything was going to be okay.

Because Daddy was here now.

That was ridiculous, he inwardly scolded himself. He didn’t know her. She might even have a Daddy. Or Mommy. He literally knew zero about her.

Getting ahead of himself and letting his mind run wild with fantasies wouldn’t help her or him. It was best to just be patient and hear her out.

This wasn’t personal. This was a Daddy Guard mission. It was important to keep a proper perspective, especially in his dangerous line of work.

“It’s a long story and it’s late,” Lana said. "You sure you want to hear it?”

“We want to hear whatever you’re comfortable sharing,” Isaiah responded.

Ace nodded. “That’s right. We’re here as long as we need to be. So take your time.”

He watched as the Little took another sip of tea, swallowed it, and then sighed.

“Okay,” she finally said. “Here we go…”