Caleb (The Unseen Series Book 1) Read Free

Mitch, that’s a new record. It’s not even six in the morning and you’re already making your sister cry. What do you say to Maddie?”
    “Sorry,” he says with a sarcastic tone.
    “Like you mean it,” I scold him.
    “Sorry, Maddie,” he says and gives her a hug.
    “Ready for breakfast?” I ask.
    They jump from their bed, squealing and run out the door. I search through the cupboards and groan. These cupboards were empty last night, why are you surprised they’re still empty this morning?
    I make a few slices of toast and put them on a plate. The kids tuck straight in. I fill two cups with cooled, boiled water and hand them over too—no way would I give them water straight from the tap with the state of the buildings plumbing.
    “Are you having toast, Mommy?” Maddie asks.
    “No sweetie, that’s for you and Mitch. Mommy will have some toast when she gets to work. Right now, I need coffee,” I reply with a smile and grimace from the pain in my empty stomach. You better eat soon or you’ll be no use to the twins.
    When the twins have finished, I get them washed and dressed. Funny enough, it doesn’t matter what time we get up, we always end up running late.
    Rita is in the hall waiting for us, ready to take the children from me. “Thank you,” I gush. “Are you okay to pick them up this afternoon?”
    “Of course I am but if that Mr. Slate cancels on you again, do not book another meeting. We’ll find another way.” I give her a sad smile before she hugs me and we part ways.
    I dash down the two flights of stairs, out the building’s main door and into my beat up little car. “Please start, please start,” I beg the car as I turn the key in the ignition over and over again, eventually starting it with a splutter and gurgle. “Yes, come on!”
    I take off for the butchers I work at three days a week. Thank God traffic is scarce for a change.
    “SJ, you’re late,” my boss, Gary, says as I fly through the door.
    “I know, I’m sorry,” I reply as I run through the store to the back. I throw my coat on the hook and my bag on the bench, replacing them with an apron, hairnet and hat.
    “How do you plan on making it up to me?” he asks, squeezing my ass cheek as he comes up behind me.
    I shudder and move out of touching distance, putting on my best flirtatious smile so I don’t offend him. I can’t lose this job—I really need it.
    “I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I reply while taking a mental note to look for a new job. Gary’s grin widens so I can see a few more missing teeth. “I’m going to slice some bacon,” I say and move behind the counter and away from him.
    “Let me take you out on a date?” he asks. “We can go to a bar, go back to yours for a night cap and see where it leads.”
    “I’ll have to get back to you, I’m pretty booked up with the twins,” I reply and change the subject. “I know I was late, but can I leave an hour earlier? I have a meeting with the new landlord?”
    “I thought you were meeting with him Monday?” he asks.
    “He cancelled, and then cancelled again yesterday,” I reply. “Please Gary, I’ll work through my lunch breaks for the rest of the week.”
    “Well how can I say no to that? A whole three days staring uninterrupted at your peachy ass, is an offer I can’t refuse.” His lewd grin sends a fresh wave of shivers down my spine.
    Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder who I pissed off in a past life to end up with this shitty excuse of one.

Chapter 2
    It’s been almost seven months since Molly was killed and I still carry the guilt. So much so that I left my position at Slate Security. Vitale’s threat still rings through me, reminding me why I left the job I loved so much. Grayson wasn’t too happy about my decision, even after I explained that Vitale might try causing harm to my future clients. He tried to convince me Vitale wouldn’t do something that stupid, but I couldn’t shake the feeling he would. Our father