Page 59 of Mike's Assistant

“But he’s a demon.” I couldn’t believe that Mike or anyone else was okay with demons or that they even existed.

“Yes. He’s a demon, but we can defend against him, and they can still be hurt. It’s not a hopeless battle,” Mike tried to soothe.

“Mike’s right. It’s why the king asked me to come right away. We’ll make sure you’re both safe.”

My mind raced. This was insane. Did I take the boys and run? The boys! I needed to keep them safe.

Mike squeezed my hand. “We’ll keep them safe,” he said, as if reading my thoughts.

I peered up at him. “But what if…”

“We’ll keep them safe. We’re a ‘we’ now. We stand together, and we fight for our family.”

“Mike’s right. Mates are worth fighting for. And you all are no different. You and the boys are one of us now, a part of the pride, and the pride protects our own. Nothing will happen to them or you.”

Mike brushed his hand over my cheek. “Talon’s also right. Nothing will happen to you and the boys.”

I released a breath and pressed against his hand, nodding. I was tired of running. From the very beginning, that was my MO. I ran. I ran when the CPS was going to take the boys, and I ran when I found out Mike was a shifter. It was time I stopped running.

“I trust you.”

Mike released an audible sigh. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“You don’t have to thank me. I love you, Mike. I trust you.”

“I love you, too. Always. I’ll never let you down.”

Promises Kept

Mike

“It’s good to be back,” I sighed, sinking into the comfort of Hayden’s couch. I inhaled the sweet soothing vanilla that was uniquely Jake. I needed a few minutes after the chaotic whirlwind of our trip.

The faint thuds of the boys' excitement echoed from the theater room. Their energy was indefatigable. Jake, curled into my side, gave a half-laugh, half-groan. “Tell me about it. I’m on the brink of exhaustion. We definitely need a vacation from our vacation.”

A chuckle escaped me, the resonance of our shared weariness. “Yeah, thank god for Vanessa and Talon, especially Talon with his impromptu piggyback service.”

Jake's eyes, always so expressive, twinkled. “He’s like a big kid.” He nudged me playfully. “But so are you, Mr. I-Can-Also-Give-Piggyback-Rides.”

Our banter was cut short by Vanessa's voice. “Guys, I’m going to head home. I can barely keep my eyes open.”

Jake was quick to untangle from me and pull Vanessa into a warm embrace. “Thank you for every—”

A jarring chime broke through the moment, stopping him from speaking. He quickly stepped back and snatched his phone from the table. “It’s the alert I put for the lobby.”

“Hello?”

“Mr. Bradford.” Even without my shifter abilities, the tense undertone in Henry's voice was unmistakable. But with them, every nuance was amplified.

“Yes,” Jake's voice wavered.

“Sir. I-I have a police officer and two ladies from child protective services here.”

The color drained from Jake's face. His phone slipped from his grasp, and a tremor overtook him. My instincts screamed. Protect. Comfort. Act. I lunged, catching the phone and drawing Jake close, trying to anchor him amidst the rising storm.

“Henry, it’s Mike. Do they have a warrant?”

“No, but they are stating they have a clear and imminent need to see the welfare of the boys as Mr. Bradford fled with them,” Henry explained.

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