Page 11 of Daddy’s Protection (The Daddy Guard #3)

“This is a job for Hollywood.”

The statement came from Stryker who was standing in the entryway of Cami’s house.

Cami laughed. “Fitting in this town, I suppose.”

She couldn’t believe it. A movie director was at her place. And next to him was Harrison Trent, one of the biggest stars on the planet! She’d never dreamed she’d have a famous actor over.

With them was Lana, and Cami had dubbed the group the “Hollywood Trio” in her mind—though she hadn’t shared that moniker with anyone else.

She was just glad they’d come. Lana was seemingly eager to test the hypothesis she’d expounded upon last night.

Cami was eager, too. If they could prove this wasn’t a real haunting then perhaps they’d be on the road to figuring out what was actually going on.

Of course, having a living human lurking about her house wasn’t great.

But that could be handled. The Guard could throw whoever it was out.

Cops would get involved. It might be over quickly.

Had it been ghosts, though… well, that would have been a different matter entirely.

Nothing was proven yet, she reminded herself. There might still be a long road ahead of them. She had faith in her new friends, though.

Behind the Hollywood Trio was Isaiah, Ace, and Jack along with Iris. It was a little cramped in the foyer with everyone there, but Cami suspected they’d all spread out soon enough.

“Okay, the question is,” Lana began, “if this were a movie set, how would we set it up for a ghost shot? Practical effects, of course. None of that CGI crap so many productions use now.”

It was strange seeing Lana take charge. Cami had only witnessed her in “Little mode”. But she had a career. And it was a common misconception that all Littles were helpless. They weren’t. Most were more than tough and capable.

Lana was proving that now. Even the Daddies of the group were listening intently, appearing ready for their marching orders.

Right now, though, the Guard wasn’t needed.

This was a Hollywood thing.

“Man, too many directors are using all that CGI stuff these days,” Stryker agreed. “It just doesn’t feel authentic.”

Harrison nodded. “Tell me about it! My last movie, they used CGI to generate an explosion. I’m not ripping the computer guys’ work. But I could tell it wasn’t real. Looked like television to me. Know what I mean?”

“Heck yeah,” Stryker said. “We make movies . It’s where the magic happens. Back in the old days, when I did stunts, there was nothing like feeling the heat of a blast while—” He grinned. “Sorry. This is about Cami’s house. What do you want us to do?”

Cami laughed. She hadn’t minded the conversation. Hollywood was so fascinating. But she supposed they needed to search the house.

It was Lana who asked, “Cami, can you show us where you were standing when you saw the dancing couple and where they were exactly?”

Cami went about halfway up the stairs. “Right here. And they were there.” She pointed.

“What path did they take?” Stryker asked.

Cami moved her arm, still pointing as she traced the line the ghostly couple had waltzed.

“They disappeared into this parlor?” Lana asked, stepping into the case opening to her right.

“Yep. Then they disappeared. But the other lady who appeared was in there, too.” Cami came down the stairs, walked past the group, and stood right where the lady had materialized.

“Stay right there, please,” Lana said.

Cami did as she’d been asked while Lana walked around her, looking up at the walls and ceilings. “Hmm. That vent up there looks like the perfect spot to have a projector. If it was open, that is.” She looked around the room and then started walking toward a chair. “I can stand on this and?—”

“Oh no you don’t,” Ace said. “We have ladders in the van. I’ll be right back. But you stay off the furniture. It’s too dangerous. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl.”

Cami smiled at the warm interaction. Having a Daddy must be so nice. Someone to care for you and keep you safe. Mmm. Maybe someday, she told herself.

Of course, that someday wouldn’t be with Isaiah. He was so far out of her league it wasn’t even funny.

That didn’t mean she wouldn’t enjoy this time. Right now, she was under his care. It was her intention to soak in every second that she could.

Right now, though, they had other things to worry about.

“I’ll be right back,” Ace continued as he walked toward the door.

“You need a hand?” Isaiah called out.

“Nah. I think I can—” He stopped walking and talking the moment he opened the front door to reveal a rather harsh-looking older man on the front porch.

The gentleman wore a scowl and seemed to be quite annoyed.

Typical, Cami thought, after she realized who it was.

“Mr. McConnell. So nice to see you,” she said as she stepped forward.

That was a lie. It was never nice to see him. Because he wasn’t a nice man.

“What the devil is going on here?” the old man barked.

He was frowning even harder than usual, a feat Cami hadn’t known was possible.

Other than that, he looked as he always did.

His silver hair was meticulously combed, with every strand in place.

Cami had heard from another neighbor that he got it cut every week.

She believed it. It was evident Mr. McConnell took great pride in his appearance.

Letting his hair grow the slightest bit longer than he found acceptable was probably out of the question.

He was toned and tan, befitting of the time he spent at the country club, on the golf course. Cami knew this about him because she saw him put his clubs in his car almost every day. She’d also heard him brag about his club membership numerous times.

“I’m not sure what you mean,” she replied, trying to sound pleasant.

“I’ll tell you what I mean! People coming in and out of this house. That… work van or whatever it is… parked in the street, blocking traffic. Are you having work done? Did you get the proper permits? The neighborhood association will not tolerate?—”

Cami didn’t even realize what Isaiah was doing until he’d already stepped between her and the cranky man. She had to move from behind Isaiah’s giant frame to see Mr. McConnell.

“And who are you?” Isaiah asked.

Mr. McConnell looked stunned that someone would dare speak to him that way. But based on the look in his eyes, even he, in his nearly infinite arrogance, wasn’t going to bow up to Isaiah.

Smart move, Cami thought.

Isaiah towered over the guy.

“I’m Judge Cyrus McConnell.”

“Judge?”

“Retired.”

Cami looked at Isaiah and saw his face light up in a grin.

“I remember you! You were forced out of office on bribery charges.”

McConnell’s back stiffened. “Unsubstantiated rumors. Started by opponents for political gains.”

Isaiah shrugged. “None of my business. But what is my business is why you’re talking to Cami so rudely.”

McConnell cleared his throat and shifted nervously on his feet. Cami was enjoying seeing the man sweat. He was the terror of the neighborhood. It was nice to see the tables turned.

He was a tad less haughty when he answered. “I just wanted to check in. There’s been lots of activity over here recently.”

“People have been coming over?” Isaiah asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, you all are here now. And there was stuff going on here the other night. Very late, too. It was causing a disturbance.”

Cami assumed he was talking about the night she’d called Isaiah after she’d seen the ghosts.

The judge confirmed that when he said, “I think it was you who came over in the dead of night. Stirring up the neighborhood and all that.”

Isaiah shook his head. “It wasn’t like I was loud. But I realize I might… have the wrong appearance… in your opinion.”

The judge stood up even straighter and looked flushed. “I wasn’t insinuating anything of the sort! Look… as captain of the homeowner’s association, I just want to make sure that everyone is fine and that the rules are being followed. That’s all.”

Isaiah stepped forward. The judge backed up.

“Well, rest assured, everything is fine here. We sure appreciate your concern.” Isaiah looked past him, toward the street. “As for that van, it’s parked against the curb. Not blocking anything. Trust me, we’re former cops. We know the law. You should, too. Judge .”

Cami watched as Mr. McConnell looked perplexed. A few seconds later, a light of recognition flashed in his eyes. “I remember you! You came to me for warrants a few times back when I sat on the Superior Court.”

“Yep,” Isaiah confirmed. “Right before you had to leave office.”

McConnell clearly didn’t like that remark, and Cami wondered if he was going to say anything about it. Thankfully—and probably wisely—he kept his mouth shut about it.

Instead, he turned his attention back to Cami. “Just, eh, see to it that all neighborhood covenants are followed.”

He turned and trotted away without another word.

“Goodness, he’s a real joy,” Iris said.

Cami laughed. “Just imagine what he would have done had we been wearing Little clothes. Then he really would have wondered what was going on over here.”

Everyone laughed at that.

“Yoohoo, Cami!”

Cami stepped further out onto the porch and looked to her right, where the next-door neighbor was standing in her own driveway, just on the other side of the row of trimmed hedges that separated the properties.

“Hey, Jeane.” Camie left the porch and walked to the hedges. “How are you?”

Jeane looked gravely serious. “I’m good. But worried.”

“What about?”

“You.”

Jeane waited for an explanation.

“You know I’m… blessed with the gift.”

Cami nodded. She was aware that her neighbor claimed to be a psychic. She did personal readings for people and even appeared on local radio stations and a few national TV shows. But Cami wasn’t sure if she knew the woman actually had any special abilities.

Of course, Cami was the one who thought her own house was haunted, so who was she to judge?

“Yeah,” she answered politely.

“Well, I’ve been having frightening visions that involve… you! Visions of specters. And people from this world pursuing you. I’m not sure where the ghosts fit in but… well, they’re there. Somewhere in your future. Honey, I’m scared for you.”

A cold chill traced Cami’s spine. It took a moment for the shock to wear off before she said, “I’m fine. But thank you for the concern.”

Jeane brushed a strand of her long silver hair back and tucked it behind her ear. She didn’t wear much makeup but didn’t really need to. In her upper sixties now, she’d aged beautifully and not in that fake way that so many women in LA did.

Her skin was naturally smooth. Those icy-blue eyes were still mesmerizing.

She reached over for Cami’s hand. “Promise me, honey. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

“Of course,” Cami told her.

And Isaiah would protect her, though she didn’t add that part aloud. Right now, though, she was more convinced than ever that she needed the Daddy Guard.

Things were getting stranger by the second.

Still holding Cami’s hand in one of hers, Jeane patted it with her other. “Check in with me so I know that you’re all right.”

Cami assured her she would and then hurried back inside. Once the door was closed, Isaiah said, “What was all that about?”

Cami smiled uneasily.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”