He could feel Elizabeth’s body tense against his as they rode into the Shadowridge Guardians’ compound. Taking a hand from the handlebar for a second, he squeezed one of her hands wrapped around his torso to reassure her. Pulling into his normal spot, he urged her to dismount before he put down the kickstand and turned off the bike.
Carefully, he helped take off her helmet. “You will have fun, Little girl. I promise.”
Her lips were pulled in a straight line as she nodded. He could tell she didn’t believe him.
“We can leave whenever you want. Just tell me ‘pickled beets’ and I’ll know we need to fly out of here just like that jerk threw the jar.”
That startled her out of the internal communication loop she had obviously created in her mind. “Pickled beets?”
“Can you remember that?” he asked.
Nodding, Elizabeth whispered, “I don’t like beets. I’m going to give my jar to Janine.”
“Me, neither. They taste like dirt. Or in that case, pickled dirt,” he told her.
“You’re going to give your jar away, too?” she asked, grinning at him.
“Definitely. Someone with no tastebuds here will love them.”
Sweet giggles made him smile. “Turn around, Buttercup. Let me fix your hair. That helmet roughed you up a bit.”
He pulled out her scrunchie and smoothed her hair into a high ponytail before replacing it. “Now all those tendrils of hair are out of your face. Ready to go meet everyone?”
“No. Talon, I’m scared.”
“I know. It’s okay, Buttercup. I won’t go far from you, and no one is going to be mean here. Someone would smash them into the dirt for hurting a Little girl.”
“Really?”
“Really. Can you be brave for me? It’s only scary the first time.”
“Okay. I’ll try.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth.” He kissed her lightly before taking her hand to lead her to the front entrance and inside.
“Talon! And you brought someone with you to brighten up the place,” a giant man greeted them.
“Hi, Bear. This is Elizabeth. She’s mine.”
“Hi, Elizabeth. Gabriel is making his highly coveted mac and cheese to go with burgers tonight. You chose a great night to come meet everyone.”
“Hi, Bear. I’m glad to meet you,” Elizabeth said politely.
Talon felt her scoot a bit closer to him and squeezed her hand. “You’ll love the mac and cheese. Come meet Steele’s Little girl. Do you remember meeting him this morning? He’s the guy over there.” Talon pointed out the president.
“Elizabeth!” A voice she obviously recognized from last night made Elizabeth look to the far corner of the open gathering area. Ink stood up and jogged forward. “Hey, I’m glad to see you.”
“I’m glad to see you, too.”
“We’re on our way to meet some of the Littles,” Talon explained.
“I saw several in the library off the kitchen,” Ink told him.
“Thanks.”
“You’ll be here?” Elizabeth blurted.
“I will be. You’re fine here. These guys would gnaw off their own arms before they’d hurt you,” Ink assured her.
“Okay,” Elizabeth whispered and squeezed Talon’s hand. “Can you take me to see the ladies?” She wasn’t quite ready to say Littles in front of others.
“This way.” Talon guided her through the room.
People greeted them as they played pool, darts, and watched TV. There seemed to be burly guys everywhere. Maybe just because they took up so much room. Everyone was perfectly pleasant and pleased to meet her.
As they walked past the kitchen, Gabriel called, “Are you going into the library? Take that tray. I promised the Littles they could have an appetizer. Let me add one for Elizabeth.”
When it was ready, Talon lifted the big tray of small cups of what looked like the gooiest concoction ever. He ushered Elizabeth into the small room and announced, “Hi, Littles. Meet Elizabeth. We bring appetizers for you.”
“Elizabeth? What a pretty name. I’m Ivy,” a petite brunette said as she set aside her book to stand up and approach.
She hugged Elizabeth before waving to the side as everyone rose to cluster in front of them. “Talon, why don’t you put that tray on the table. Meeting Elizabeth is much more important than snacking. Just don’t tell Gabriel.”
A woman all in black introduced herself. “I’m Remi. My Daddy is Kade.”
“Hi, Elizabeth. I’m Eden,” the next woman shared. Her curly red hair bobbled around her face.
Talon couldn’t help from smiling as each woman hugged his Little girl. From the look on her face, Elizabeth didn’t quite know how to handle the friendly greetings, but she quickly adapted and hugged them back. He could tell they were so pleased to have her join the group.
“Hi. I’m glad to meet all of you, too,” Elizabeth answered with a genuine smile that made her sparkle. “You are all Littles?” she whispered.
The three women nodded.
“Come sit down with us. We can eat our macaroni and talk. Are you okay if Talon hangs out just outside?” Remi asked. Her black-rimmed eyes contrasted greatly with her pink tiara. Elizabeth loved her unique style.
“Is that okay with you, Buttercup?” Talon asked.
Having all the eyes on her was a bit overwhelming but Elizabeth answered, “Yes. I’m okay.”
She wanted a chance to talk to these women and alone would be better. Especially if they were nice.
“I’m right over there,” Talon assured her. He pressed a kiss to her cheek before stepping just outside the small area.
“Come sit down, Elizabeth. You sit here where you can see your Daddy and he can see that you’re okay,” Remi suggested with a grin that told Elizabeth she had an inkling about what was going on in Elizabeth’s mind.
“Thanks,” Elizabeth said as she sat down in the indicated spot. Glancing out of the room, she saw Talon adjust where he stood talking to a couple of other men so he could see her clearly. She smiled to herself.
“He really likes you,” Eden observed.
“He does. He thinks he’s my Daddy.”
“Have you had a Daddy before?” Ivy asked, leaning forward confidentially. “I had only read about them in books. Wow, are they even better in real life!”
“Really? That’s me, too. I didn’t know Daddies really existed,” Elizabeth admitted as she relaxed, feeling instantly at home with this group.
“I had no clue, either,” Eden chimed in.
“I did. But my father is a Shadowridge Guardian. I was raised here in the compound,” Remi shared.
“That’s so neat. They’re not really all Daddies, are they?” Elizabeth asked.
“I haven’t asked all of them, but I think they are?” Ivy guessed, lifting her shoulders up in a silent question. “Here. Eat the mac and cheese while it’s hot.” She passed out the cups and spoons and everyone took their first bite.
“Hot darnation! This is amazing!” Elizabeth said, taking another bite.
“Hot darnation?” Remi echoed and giggled.
It wasn’t a mean giggle. It was pure mirth. The others joined in, including Elizabeth.
“Sorry. I really suck at cussing,” she explained.
“I think you’re really good at it,” Ivy suggested. “You can’t ever get spanked for saying hot darnation. Your Daddy will fall over laughing as he lifts his hand to swat your bottom.”
“Do you really get spanked?” Elizabeth whispered, leaning in to talk confidentially.
“Some of us more than others,” Eden said, nodding at Remi.
“I can’t help it if my mouth says things my butt knows are bad.” Remi defended herself.
It was quiet in the room for about twenty long seconds before they all burst into giggles. Elizabeth glanced at Talon and saw him looking at her with an eyebrow raised in concern. She gave him a thumbs up sign and a smile. When he nodded, she turned back to her new friends.
“Are you guys here often?” Elizabeth asked.
“I live here,” Ivy told her before taking another bite.
“And you’re with Steele, right?”
“Yes. So, Talon for you, hmmm?” Ivy asked.
“Is there something I should know about Talon?” Elizabeth asked.
“Nothing bad. He’s always a jokester. I’ve never seen him with any woman more than once. Not that he’s a player. He just doesn’t get involved. Obviously, there’s a reason for that. I’m glad to see him find the one he’s looked for,” Ivy answered quickly.
“He taught me how to dance last night,” Elizabeth shared.
“How fun is that! He does have the moves. You should see him dance around the kitchen as he cooks. Talon turns Latin music on and goes to town. Last time, he let me and Carlee bang on empty pans like bongos to keep the rhythm with him,” Remi said with a laugh. “Carlee isn’t here tonight. There will be more Littles on other nights.”
“I’ll look forward to meeting everyone,” Elizabeth stated and knew she was actually telling the truth.
“Did you wash your hands before eating?” a stern voice came from the doorway.
Ivy immediately froze and looked down at the finger she was using to swipe off the last of the cheese sauce clinging to the small cup’s sides. “Hmm, no?”
“That’s what I thought. Don’t put that in your mouth,” he warned with a steely-eyed look.
“Yes, Daddy.”
Ivy carefully picked up one of the napkins from the tray and wiped her finger clean. “All better!”
Shaking his head, Steele joined Talon and the others.
“Tartar sauce!” Elizabeth suggested.
The quartet exploded with laughter that attracted the attention of those nearby.
Setting their empty cups on the tray, the Littles retreated to a more secluded spot on the floor to chat and get to know each other better. Elizabeth knew she’d never have to talk about pickled beets in the compound. It was a fun place.