Chapter 6
Chapter Six
John arrived at Auntie Athena’s nursery, greeting Trevon as the big man opened the black iron gate for him.
“Good evening, Trevon. And how are you this fine evening?”
Trevon was a nearly seven-foot-tall Black man who had more muscles on his shoulders, chest, and arms than John ever thought possible. His deep voice matched his imposing appearance. But those who knew Trevon didn’t let the fact that he was a giant human scare them.
He was a big teddy bear.
To his friends.
Now, to anyone who would dare harm an innocent Little, well… God help the person if Trevon found out about it.
“This fine evening? Why are you talking like that?”
John laughed. “Being on vacation will do that to a man.”
Trevon grinned, showing a mouthful of perfectly white teeth. “Nice, man. How long?”
“Two weeks,” John said. “I don’t have to think about fighting fires or responding to calls for fourteen whole days.”
Trevon’s smile morphed into a mask of skepticism. “You sure you can handle it?”
John cocked his head to one side. “You kidding? Being off work?”
“Uh-huh. I know you. Sure, it’s a job. And everyone loves—and needs—time off work.
But you help people because it’s who you are.
It’s what’s in your core and makes you the man you are.
” Trevon smiled again. “In fact, I’ll bet you a steak dinner that you’ll be coming to someone’s rescue within a week. ”
John thought it over. “Musso and Frank’s?”
Trevon nodded. “Deal.”
“You’re on.”
The men shook on it. John was strong—with muscle earned from working out and his strenuous job—but even he was no match for Trevon’s grip. He tried not to wince.
“Hey, is that one of the Daddy Guard vans parked out there?” John jerked his head back to indicate the street behind him.
Trevon shut the gate, turned, and leaned against the white stucco fencing that ringed the property. “Yep. We have a new Little here tonight. She’s in some trouble, so she came into town to get some help.”
“Where is she from?”
“Vegas,” Trevon answered.
“The exploits of the Daddy Guard are being told far and near, it seems,” John said. “Who’s helping her?”
“Jack and Ace right now.”
“Glad they’re here. I’ll tell ‘em hi and see if they need some help.”
John was halfway up the walkway that split the perfectly manicured, lush, green lawn when Trevon called out.
“Going to help someone, huh? Just remember I like my steak rare. Of course, I’ll do the bone-in ribeye. And I’ll have to add a baked potato. Can’t just have a steak with no side.” His grin widened. “You going to spring for an appetizer, too? Their marinated herring is to die for.”
John laughed. “I’m buying all this on a firefighter’s salary. Remember? No appetizer. And you’re drinking water.”
Trevon held up his hands in a sign of surrender. “Steak and potato, it is.”
“You haven’t won yet, pal.”
Trevon just chuckled.
Before either one of them could say anything else, a scream split the still early evening air.
“That came from the roof!” Trevon observed. He looked up at the mansion’s red tile roof. “I don’t see anything. Must be in the back.”
He was already running toward the side of the house when John caught up to him. Another scream rang out. Both men increased their pace.
“Damnit,” John said, never breaking stride.
“What?” Trevon asked.
“I think I’m about to already lose that bet.”