Page 3 of Daddy’s Pursuit (The Daddy Guard #1)

Chapter Three

Auntie Athena’s West Hollywood Nursery was located in the part of town its name implied, on Hammond Street.

To the casual passer-by, it looked like many buildings in the area. It was a three-story structure made of white stucco with a red Spanish-tile roof.

It was surrounded by a stucco fence with a black iron gate set in a centered archway.

One had to have a code to enter. Of course, someone could scale the six-foot high fence if they were determined to sneak onto the property, but the numerous cameras positioned about would catch them and notify security.

Security didn’t play around, either.

Trevon Miles towered five inches over six feet.

He had arms loaded with muscles, giant shoulders, and a chest as hard as granite.

The Black man had been a college football standout and played a year in the pros before he got cut and made the move to a military career.

Now, he was retired from that and spent his days and nights keeping the Littles of the nursery safe and sound.

He also had backup in the form of a group of off-duty officers. Precinct 17 had more than a few Daddies among its ranks, and they were always eager to take shifts around there. So, Trevon had plenty of help.

The Littles of Auntie’s nursery were well guarded, to say the least.

Just the way Auntie Athena wanted it.

She smiled as she considered it all, standing on the red brick steps that led up the porch. Years ago, she never would have dreamed the direction her life would have taken. Now, she couldn’t imagine living any other way.

“New arrival,” Trevon said.

She looked over to where the giant man stood in the yard. His deep voice matched his appearance. Gosh, he was strong. It seemed as if he could lift a car, for goodness’ sake.

“Her name is Iris.” Auntie Athena returned her eyes toward the gate where, through the black iron bars, she could see the two women approaching.

“Elana vouched for her,” Trevon noted.

It wasn’t a question. As head of security, he’d already done due diligence in vetting the nursery’s newest Little.

“It’s nothing in her background check that has me concerned,” Athena mentioned.

“But you’re worried?” Trevon asked.

The Auntie nodded. A moment passed before she spoke again but in a quitter voice. “Elena has told me a bit about her new friend. Yes, I’m concerned.”

She left it at that. The women would be in the yard any moment. It was certainly not her intent to hurt Iris’s feelings. So, it was best she stop now before she was overheard.

The chiming of the gate’s keypad interrupted the conversation, anyway. The cheery voice of Elena reached Athena. “You’re going to love it here, Iris. Just wait until you see all the cool stuff. And ‘til you meet Auntie!”

She watched as the Little, holding Iris’ hand, stopped short and smiled at Trevon. It wasn’t shocking that the women noticed him before they noticed her. He was hard to miss.

“Hi, Uncle Trevon!” Elena let go of Iris and ran toward the security officer, her arms open wide. Even jumping, she couldn’t quite reach his neck to latch onto, so he leaned down, making the hug easier.

“Hello, Little Miss Cute Stuff.”

Athena smiled as she watched the affectionate display. The fact that he was holding her as he twirled her around probably didn’t even register to Trevon. That Little didn’t weigh a thing compared to his massive muscles.

“Uncle Trevon, meet my friend, Iris.” With her feet back on the ground, Elena turned to the other girl.

“Iris, this is Uncle Trevon. He keeps us safe. He’s also really good at games.

Like, seriously, every game! Football. Basketball.

All that. But even card games and board games.

He’s tough to beat!” She giggled as if remembering some of the times she’d tried.

During the exchange, Athena studied Iris.

It was evident she was bashful. But there was something else in her eyes, too.

Was it desperation? Fear? The Auntie usually had a good read on people.

But she hadn’t been around the newcomer long enough to have an accurate gauge.

She’d get to the bottom of it, one way or another.

Until then, she just hoped the Little would have a blast there at the nursery.

Trevon’s deep voice filled the small yard once again. “Nice to meet you, honey. Are you excited about your first time at the nursery?”

Her voice lacked confidence and trembled a tad as she spoke. “Yes, sir.”

That wasn’t unusual, Athena thought. A lot of Littles were nervous when they dipped their toes into the ageplay community for the first time.

But her instincts still said something was going on with Iris. Perhaps time and investigation would reveal what that something was. Athena couldn’t stand the thought of a precious Little being in any sort of trouble.

Well, serious trouble. Trouble of a dangerous variety.

The Littles around that nursery got into trouble of the fun variety all the time. That’s why she had to keep her paddle close. But that was different.

Her mind drifted to a conversation she’d had several months prior. Some friends of hers who’d visited the nursery had proposed an idea.

A plan to help Littles in trouble.

Littles like Iris. Well, maybe Like Iris. If Iris was indeed in some sort of trouble. Only time would tell.

That proposal had been a good one, though. Perhaps she needed to reach out to her friends and discuss it further.

“Oh! There’s Auntie Athena!” Elena declared, pulling the matronly woman from her thoughts. “I didn’t see you there on the stairs.”

The two Littles left Travon in the yard and walked toward the front porch.

“Iris, this is the best Auntie in the whole wide world! Auntie Athena. You’ll love her.”

Athena stepped down and smiled warmly as the women stopped before her.

“Good afternoon, Little Iris. It’s so good to have you here. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Iris opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her hand was obviously shaking as Athena shook it. Clearing her throat, she was finally able to say, “Thank you, ma’am. I’m so happy to be here.”

Athena searched her eyes for another moment. There was definitely hurt in them. Perhaps betrayal? Certainly desperation.

Yes, my Mommy instincts are correct. This Little needs some help.

Good thing she came to the right place.

Good thing she’s at Auntie Athena’s Nursery now.