Page 14 of Mike's Assistant

My grip tightened around the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as ice pricked my spine. My gaze lingered on the caller ID before I sent the call to voicemail. A heavy sigh escaped me. They couldn't take my brothers away, not now when things were finally looking up.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I put my car in gear and pulled onto the road. Every mile between Satchel Industries and my apartment seemed to magnify my worries. But it also strengthened my resolve. I had a good job now; I could provide for the boys. That had to count for something.

The clock on the dashboard seemed to tick louder, reminding me of the precious minutes slipping away. I had to pick up the boys and get them home, away from the prying eyes of nosy neighbors who were all too ready to call CPS at the drop of a hat. We needed to celebrate, not hide, but we'd have to tread carefully for a while longer.

As I parked outside our apartment complex, my hand automatically went to the rear-view mirror, adjusting it to catch a glimpse of my reflection. A pair of tired but determined eyes met mine. "You've got this, Jake," I told my reflection. "You can protect them."

I took another breath and exited the car, heading toward the ground-floor apartment where the boys were. I was thankful that Mrs. Pauly, our landlady, ran the informal daycare in our building. I was equally thankful that she didn’t require me to pay upfront for her services and just added it to the rent.

The door opened before I reached it, and tiny arms quickly wrapped around my legs. I plastered a smile on my face before bending down and giving them a quick hug.

“Hey, how was your day?” I asked.

“It was so much fun. Ms. Pauly is so nice and played with us,” Sam said excitedly.

“They saw you pull up and were eager to reach you.”

I gazed up at Mrs. Pauly. “Thank you for watching them. They weren’t any trouble?”

She shook her head. “Nope. They were good. How was job hunting?”

For a moment, I hesitated, not sure how to break the news. But when I saw the anticipation in her eyes, the supportive tilt of her head, I knew this was a moment to share, not just for me and my brothers, but for everyone who'd been there for us.

"Well," I started, grinning broadly as I tickled Abel's tummy. "I found a job, and I start tomorrow."

The cheers and hugs from my brothers were deafening. I laughed, joining in their elation. We quickly calmed down, and I stood up.

“That’s wonderful news, Jake. Do you know the times? It’s a day shift, right? I can’t watch the boys past six,” Mrs. Pauly said, a nervous twinge lacing her tone.

I nodded. “It’s the day shift, nine to five, Monday through Friday, at Satchel Industries.”

“Satchel Industries? That’s fantastic! Everyone and their mother try to get in there, and they usually have a wait list a mile long. You must’ve had some luck on your side.”

“I did.” I smiled, thinking about all the crazy circumstances that led me to my new position. “It was fate and being in the right place at the right time.”

“I’m happy for you.” She bent down before speaking to the boys. “I’ll see you boys tomorrow. I’m glad you had fun.” She looked back at me. “I have to get dinner started for my husband. Congratulations, Jake.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Pauly. I'll drop the boys off in the morning.”

Once Mrs. Pauly had closed the door, I shepherded my little brothers towards the staircase. Our worn-out sneakers echoed through the empty hallway as we trudged up to the third floor, the air a potent cocktail of fatigue and exhilaration.

Chattering excitedly, the boys were in their own world by the time we reached our door. As I delved into my pocket for the keys, the metallic jingle was abruptly replaced by a clang as they slipped from my grip.

As I bent down to pick them up, a figure unexpectedly loomed into my vision, causing me to startle back. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," a man around my age said, extending my keys toward me.

He was tall and muscular. The broad shoulders and lean physique beneath his simple white tee screamed strength and power. His jet-black hair was slicked back, framing a striking face that was dominated by vibrant, discerning green eyes. Those eyes, set against his pale skin, seemed to bore right into me—his casual attire, coupled with his well-toned body, made for an undeniably handsome sight.

A rush of attraction hit me, but it was a different kind - less intense, less consuming than the magnetic pull I felt towards Mike. And as that thought crossed my mind, a sudden image of my handsome boss sprang up, casting an all-too-familiar flutter in my chest. Shaking my head slightly, I reached out, accepting my keys from the handsome stranger.

Flashing a dimpled smile, he extended a hand, "I'm Dominic. You're new here, right?"

I nodded and swiftly unlocked the door. My instincts screamed at me to get the boys inside. Dominic seemed friendly, but an underlying hint of danger sparked an unspoken urge to flee.

“I’m Jake. That’s right. We just moved in a few days ago,” I replied, herding the boys through the threshold.

"Nice to meet you, Jake," Dominic moved a step closer, casually inquiring about the boys, "They're not your kids, are they?"

“My brothers,” I corrected. “I have to get them dinner ready.” I hoped my words allowed for a quick escape, but Dominic took another step closer.

---