Page 13 of Mike's Assistant

I inhaled a deep breath and urged my lion to settle. He wanted to hunt anyone who said a bad word about our mate. I exhaled and nodded. “Keep going. How did he wind up here?” I asked.

“I had only taken my card, but their credit machine was down. Jake was nice. Even after getting turned down for a job, he gave me the money for our coffees. So, I asked him to walk back so that I could pay him back, but we ended up talking. He just moved here from West Virginia and needed a job, so I took him to Ryan.” She scrunched her nose. “I never thought they’d give him your assistant job. Fate really does have a way of working things out.”

I nodded and slid into the seat opposite her, taking in her words. Fate didn’t forget about me and worked overtime to get us to meet. I still couldn’t believe it. I had a mate. A smile played on my lips. I lifted my head, and Vanessa was staring at me.

“I have a mate, Vanessa,” I said softly.

She laughed. “You do, and he’s your new assistant.”

I joined in, laughing. “He is. Wow, I can’t believe it. I need to call Stan to get—”

“Don’t you dare, Michael Allen Doy!”

My eyes widened at the use of my full name. “What? Your dad and brother both used Stan to find out about their mates. They had a whole work up.”

Stan was a private investigator and a member of the Pride. He was also trusted and damn good at his job. He could find out anything about anything.

“Just because they did it doesn’t make it right. How do you think Brian and Owen felt knowing their mates had dossiers on them? Because, trust me, they hated it,” Vanessa said.

“They did? I mean, they never said anything.”

“Maybe not to you, but Owen hated that my brother knew about his childhood before he could tell him himself. He understood it was new for Hayden and that he didn’t know what to do. That’s why he didn’t make a huge fuss—that and because he loved him. And Brian was the same.” She crossed her arms angrily. “They hated it.”

This was news to me. I didn’t think it was so bad, but I didn’t want to hurt Jake. “What should I do?”

Vanessa shook her head and gazed up to heaven. “Men.” She looked back toward me. “You use your words, and I don’t know…. Get to know a person like normal.”

“You don’t have to be sarcastic.”

“Don’t I?”

“Nessa,” I said, exasperated. “Okay, I get your point. I’ll do it your way and use my words.”

Her stern expression melted into a gentle smile. "That's all I'm asking for, Mike."

I stared at her, my mind buzzing with a torrent of thoughts. It would not be easy, but it was the right thing to do. The mere thought of Jake—my mate—filled me with a warmth that pushed away the uncertainty. I met Vanessa's gaze, a determined glint in my eyes.

“I'll do it the right way,” I vowed. “For Jake… and for us.” I sighed, looking at the empty doorway where Jake had stood. A part of me longed to find him right then, to talk, to learn about him… But I had to do this at the right pace. I owed it to both of us.

As I said those words, something shifted inside me. A kind of certainty replaced my previous doubts, reinforcing my resolve.

I could do this. I could be a great mate. Thank you, Fate.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Jake

I bounded out of Satchel Industries with a smile. I couldn’t believe the offer they’d made me. It was more money and benefits than I could’ve ever hoped for. This was a turning point for my brothers and me. We’ve finally had a ray of hope amid the sea of crap we’d dealt with.

Still wearing a grin that could rival the Cheshire Cat's, I headed to my beat-up sedan. It was on its last bit of gas, but hopefully, that wouldn’t last long. I had a job! In two weeks, when I get my first check, everything will be fine, I thought to myself.

Reaching my car, I opened the door. Every clunk and rattle from the rusty vehicle was music to my ears, and each jolt was a symphony of success. As I keyed the ignition, a thrill surged through me, warming me from the inside out. This job, this opportunity, it was a lifeline, and I intended to seize it with both hands.

My mind was abuzz with the potential changes this job would bring. I could actually prove I could provide for the boys. I wouldn’t be scared of getting them taken away. Hell, we’d have a better place to live and full bellies.

My phone ringing shook me from my thoughts, and I quickly grabbed it. The name on the screen instantly washed away my good mood. CPS. The letters that had been haunting me since running with the boys.

Grace had tried calling several times and left countless messages. She kept saying she didn’t want to get the authorities involved, and that we needed to discuss what was best for the boys. She said that we could work it out, but I didn’t trust her, not after what she said at my parents’ funeral.

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