Page 4 of Mike's Assistant

“What?” I could hear the despair and whine in my voice.

Katie flashed an encouraging smile. “You’ll get through this, Michael. I know it’s a lot, but I have faith in you. And you know the king has faith in you, too. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given you the task.”

I heaved a heavy sigh. “All right. I’ll handle the meeting with Danvers and get the Wassermann issue sorted. Any other issue I must handle?”

“That should do it,” Katie replied before turning toward the door. “I’ll send the meeting info to you. You should get with Denise in H.R.; see what’s happening with your P.A.”

I growled, and she chuckled as she walked outside the door. I pushed away from my desk and stood, turning to look out the window. I wanted to be out there, hell, anywhere but here. The only reason I became a lawyer to begin with was Grandpa Freddie.

“Stay close to Hayden, Michael. You watch his back, and I promise, Fate will bless you with your mate.” I internally scoffed at his words that replayed in my mind. How was I going to meet my mate if I was stuck here?

I groaned as the phone rang behind me, a harsh interruption to my bitter introspection. Resisting the urge to smash the damn thing, I turned and glared at the offending object. “Could I not have one moment of peace?” I grumbled.

Mustering the last dregs of my patience, I reached down and snatched up the receiver. “Hello,” I answered, my voice strained with poorly concealed irritation. Silence greeted me.

“Hello,” I tried again, my frustration mounting. “Hello!” I nearly roared into the receiver.

Nothing but mocking silence on the other end. I roared in pure frustration and slammed the phone with more force than necessary. As if on cue, my cell phone blared its annoying tune. I snatched it up, exasperation leaking into my tone. “What?”

“Damn, bro. Is that how you answer your phone now?” Hayden’s carefree voice came from the other end.

“My desk phone rang, and no one was there. It ticked me off,” I replied.

“Oh, that was me. I tried calling, but it disconnected when they transferred me.”

“Damn temps,” I muttered. “What do you need, Hayden?”

“Man, who peed in your Cheerios? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I have incompetent help, and I’m really stressed, seeing how I’m doing your job and your dad’s,” I retorted with all the snark I could muster.

“Oookay. Someone really did pee in your Cheerios. Are things going that bad? Do… do you need me to come back?” he asked.

I sighed and flopped into my chair. “I’m sorry, Hay. I’m…. I don’t know. I…” I was having a hard time putting into words what I was feeling.

“What is it?” Hayden pressed.

“I feel like I’m getting left behind. You have Owen, and I for sure thought I was next. But your dad found Brian, and I’m stuck here. I mean, how am I gonna meet my mate when I’m practically drowning?” I let out a raw laugh, bitterness creeping into my voice.

I squeezed my eyes shut—the past few months of feeling lonely and not having a mate threatened to overwhelm me. If not for Vanessa, Hayden’s sister, and my friends with benefits, I’d have lost it long ago.

“Mike, I’m sorry. You’re not alone, man.” Hayden sighed. His voice filled with concern. “I guess I have been wrapped up in Owen and thrusting things onto you. I can come back. It’s just… Owen isn’t feeling the best. I think he’s caught a cold or something, and Brian’s Nana wants to come by to talk with us.”

“Oh, so the ‘prey princess’ has royal visitors now?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

“Mike! Don’t let my dad hear you calling Brian that,” Hayden admonished, but I could hear the laughter in his voice.

“Yeah, yeah, sure thing, your highness. I say it with love.” I shot back, smirking despite my mood.

Brian was a prey shifter, and I must admit, at first, his diva-like behavior had me thinking the ‘prey princess’ moniker was fitting. However, over time, I grew to really like him. He was a good guy and a perfect match for my king.

“Yeah, still, man. My dad will kick your ass, and so will Brian. It’s almost as bad calling him a bunny,” Hayden replied, whispering the last word.

“I’ll do my best.” I chuckled. “But getting back to what you asked, you don’t need to return. I got this.” I forced a smile into my voice, hoping Hayden wouldn’t hear the strain in it. “I hope Owen feels better soon. Maybe play naughty nurse with him,” I said, quickly returning to the previous conversation.

Hayden barked a laugh. “That’s the Mike I know and love. It’s definitely an idea.”

“Owen will love it. You should get an outfit.” I was the one to laugh now as the image of a big, hulking Hayden dressed in a skimpy nurse’s uniform popped into my mind.

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