Page 10 of Mike's Assistant

“No need to be sorry. Mike can be a little intimidating, but he’s a softy. His roar is bigger than his bite. Truth be told, his previous assistant left for another position unexpectedly, and he’s been stuck with temps that couldn’t handle the job.” She paused and stared down at me before smiling. “I think you’ll do fine.”

I straightened and squared my shoulders. “I won’t let you down. I can handle it.” I had to handle it. My brothers and I depended on me handling it.

Denise smiled as the elevator doors slid open with a ding. I followed Denise out of the elevator and into a tastefully decorated corridor that exuded elegance and power. The doors at the end were as imposing as the rest of the floor - solid mahogany, polished to a high sheen.

It truly was where the boss worked. I took a deep breath as Denise knocked sharply before pushing open the door, revealing a sight that had my jaw dropping and my cheeks flaming in surprise.

"Mike, Vanessa, I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Denise said, mirth filling her tone.

Vanessa and my soon-to-be boss jumped from the couch, hastily straightening their clothes. The sight of him took my breath away. His chiseled jaw was accentuated by a handsome five o'clock shadow, and his large, muscular frame commanded attention in the grand room. But it was his piercing brown eyes, locked onto mine, that sent my heart racing. The intensity of his gaze was nearly overwhelming. Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure I could handle this.

God help me.

The Scent of Destiny

Mike

I’d tried doing as Vanessa had instructed and taking a break, but as soon as she walked out the door, Jessica had interrupted with an important call from Mr. Danvers. Danvers was one of our most special clients, and his calls couldn’t be ignored. His last deal netted the company over three hundred million. It was too bad he was a wily old curmudgeon who only loved to deal with Edward.

The incessant pounding in my temples grew stronger as I tried to reason with him. “Mr. Danvers, I know you usually deal with Edward, but he’s currently not in the office. I’m more than capable of helping you.” I must’ve repeated those words a hundred times already.

His obstinate reply echoed in my ears. "You keep insisting, young man, but Edward and I have a bond. Why can't I speak to him directly?"

Our conversation spiraled into frustrating circles. A growl of irritation rumbled deep in my chest. "Alright, Mr. Danvers," I conceded abruptly. "I'll make sure Edward gets in touch with you." I ended the call before he could respond. I was done. I couldn’t do this anymore. I wasn’t the man for this job.

A hesitant knock on the door was the final straw. "Leave me alone!" The roar erupted from my throat, my lion straining against the constraints of my human form.

The room seemed to shrink around me, the air thick with my building anger and frustration. My body was taut, muscles rippling under my skin as if they were trying to break free. And the lion within me? It was pacing, snarling, urging me to let it out and escape this stifling room.

I clasped my hands over my head, my fingers digging into my scalp as I tried to will myself into control. I was the acting CLO of Satchel Enterprises, and I couldn’t afford to lose it, not here.

The scent of fresh coffee permeated the air, drawing my attention to the door. I could also smell something else, something floral, vanilla, maybe? And there was something else, an unfamiliar scent that I couldn’t place.

The door swung open gently, and Vanessa stepped in with a tray of coffee. Her eyes widened as she took in my state. I must have looked like a man on the verge of losing his sanity.

“Mike,” she breathed, “what happened? Jessica sprinted towards the elevator, and you've possibly scared off all the temps. Everyone is terrified.”

“Danvers happened,” I muttered through gritted teeth.

She set the tray down on my desk and came around to my side. She was one of a handful who could approach me when I was like this. My lion trusted her.

“You need to take a break, Mike. Just for a while,” she urged softly.

“That’s what everyone keeps saying!” I almost shouted, but then I caught her worried gaze, and my shoulders slumped. She was right.

“You’re right, Vanessa,” I admitted, my voice a mere whisper now. “I just don’t know what to do with myself. I’m not cut out for this. Your father and brother need to come back. I tried sticking it out, but I just can’t without some form of help.”

“Mike, listen to me.” Vanessa helped me stand and led me to the sofa, where I sank into the plush cushions, my arm slung over my eyes in defeat. I wanted to hide from the world.

“Mike,” Vanessa said softly. I shifted to meet her gaze. “You've filled in for Hayden and my father before. Hell, you've been doing Hayden’s job for over six months. You're more than capable. So, what's really upsetting you, Mike?"

I released a long breath and looked away. “Martin le—”

“Mike, you can’t possibly tell me all this is because Martin quit and moved to another job. Something else is going on,” Vanessa interrupted.

“I can do this job, but my heart’s not really in it. Truthfully, I only went into law because of Grandpa Freddie,” I answered.

Vanessa’s eyes widened, and she leaned back. “What does my grandpa have to do with it?”

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