Angel is an enigma.

On the surface, she seems like every beautiful woman I’ve ever known, willing to do just about anything for a dollar…and grateful for the dollars I throw her way. But beyond that, she is the opposite of most omega women in her position. I expected her to jump at the opportunity to make $10,000 a weekend to dance for me.

Of course, she would eventually do more than dance, but that’s not what I was asking for.

At least, not yet.

But she didn’t even flinch as she turned me down.

And then there’s the nephew. I didn’t realize she was so close to a child until I saw her make that video for him. I don’t know if he’s the reason she wants to be home during non-school hours, but I plan to find out.

I plan to find out everything I can about this mysterious angel who would rather sleep with multiple men during the day than just with me on the weekends. Her refusal doesn’t make sense. Omegas have a natural instinct to mate, and even though she wasn’t in heat, I could smell her arousal when I offered to stay with her. So why she’s playing hardball is unclear to me.

It could be about the money, but I doubt it. I wouldn’t hesitate to match any amount she’s making with Mark. Which means I need to find out what he’s going to pay her for her services.

While I’m thinking about it, I pull out my phone and dial his number.

My old friend Mark answers on the third ring. Mark’s brother is the alpha of the Peninsula Pack but they make all the important decisions together since their father was killed in a car accident. “Hey, Garrett. How’s it going?”

“I’m good.” I lean back in my chair with a glass of bourbon in my hand. “I wanted to see how things are going with the new venture.” His new relationship counseling company is really just a front for a Silicon Valley brothel. It’s brand new, but I’ve already heard from some human friends who have visited the motel-turned-office-complex that the girls are amazing.

“It’s great. We have five counselors who started this week, and five more starting next week. So far, the clients are happy.” Mark laughs, knowing just how happy his clients are.

“Any chance I can make a reservation?” If Angel didn’t want to fuck me on my turf, maybe she’ll change her mind on hers.

“Anyone special in mind, or should I pick someone for you?”

“I understand Angel of Mercy will be starting next week. I want her.” No truer words have ever been said.

“Yeah, Angel will be popular. You know how humans love a submissive omega. It’s a good thing you’re booking her now.” Mark chuckles, and I hear him tapping on a keyboard in the background. “What day are you thinking?”

All of them. “What day does she start?”

“Let me see… She’s working Thursday and Friday, and then Monday through Thursday the following week.”

I thumb through the calendar on my iPad to see when I can take time away from work. I have an investor flying in to look at a construction site we’re considering putting a small condo development on, but I can get away for a few hours. “How about Thursday at two?”

“Perfect. You’ll be her last appointment for the day.” He clears his throat. “You know where we’re at?”

I laugh, not sure if Mark is serious or not. “Yeah, I’ve been there a few times.”

“Oh, right. I guess that’s true.”

For the past ten years, the old motel Mark renovated for his new business used to be a well-known meeting place for finding prostitutes in the Silicon Valley. If memory serves me correctly, Mark and I went there together on a few occasions. It was shut down a few years back, but he bought the old building and changed the business model just enough to allow the local law enforcement a valid excuse for looking the other way. His business is a valued part of the bustling economic growth in the valley, and even the police need a clean and safe way to unwind now and then. “I’ll see you then.”

Mark takes on a ridiculous phone operator’s voice. “Our relationship consultant looks forward to meeting with you, sir.”

I push up off the sofa and head to my back door, stripping out of my clothes as I walk. I suddenly feel some pent-up energy that needs to be worked out, and there’s nothing that relaxes me more than a run as my wolf.

“I like the location. It’s good.” Finn stands in the center of the open field with his arms crossed over his broad chest. He looks more like a Scottish warrior than an immortal businessman, but I’ve known him long enough to know he takes his business very seriously.

“I agree.” I cup my hand over my eyes to shield them from the sun and point toward the bridge in the distance. “Facebook is expanding just across the bay. This town will be thriving within the next three to five years. It’s a good time to get in.” Well, ten years ago would have been a good time to get in, but better late than never.

“You thinking condos or apartments?” Finn and I have done several building projects on speculation in the past. But those were mostly high-end homes, not multifamily dwellings.

I shrug and walk across the hard dirt. “I’m open to either. Condos if we want to recoup our investment immediately and move on. Apartments if we’re looking for more of a long-term investment.”

“I’m in.” Finn falls into step beside me. “This will be a cash offer, I assume.”

I turn to my vampire friend and smirk. “Obviously.”

He stops and holds up his hand between us. “Send the contract to my office, and we’ll have the funds wired to you within twenty-four hours.”

I grasp his hand and shake it, giving his cool flesh a squeeze even though his palm is twice the size of mine. “It’s a pleasure, as always.”

“Pleasure is mine.” He slips his hands into his pockets as we walk back toward the cars. “And speaking of pleasure, what were you saying about Mark’s new company?”

I glance at my watch. It’s only eleven thirty. That gives us enough time to grab a light lunch and then head over to Fate Advisors. “I’m on my way there after lunch. You’re welcome to come along. I’m sure Mark has a little lady there who’s into vampy beefcake.”

Finn laughs out loud as he slaps his meaty palm on my shoulder. “Whether they know they like it going in, I’ve never had any complaints on the way out.”

Angel is sitting in the lobby with a magazine when we walk in. Her eyes light up, and her teeth sparkle as she smiles at me. “Garrett, I was surprised to see your name on my schedule today.”

“Were you?” I raise an eyebrow and smirk. “You did invite me, after all.”

“True.” She reaches for my hand and leads me toward the front door. “Let me take you to my office.”

The small motel was probably built in the fifties, but Mark’s renovations give it more of an office complex feel than a no-tell-motel. From the street, a stranger would probably assume these were doctor’s offices all lined up in a row.

“Here we are.” Angel pulls a key out of her pocket as soon as we stop at door number seven. “My lucky number.”

Once we get inside, I’m confused by the layout of the room, not sure I’m in the right place. Angel holds up a finger to stop me from speaking. “This is my desk for the counseling session, unless you’d like to sit on the couch.”

The couch is definitely more inviting than a stiff desk chair. “Okay, sure. The couch looks fine.”

She picks up a notepad, making every movement seem very professional and legit. “So, tell me about your relationship concerns.” She smiles as if acknowledging how silly this whole charade is. But it’s important that the counselors keep up the pretense of accepting money for their counseling services and offering sex only for fun and without the exchange of money.

And I’m game to play along.

“Well, I guess it’s a pretty common story.” I sigh as if sharing some deep revelation with her. “I don’t seem to have much luck with the ladies. Just the other night, I was with a beautiful woman who had been dancing for me all night long, but when I asked to spend the night with her, she rejected me.”

Angel’s face falls, and guilt washes over her expression. “I’m sure she wasn’t rejecting you.” Her focus is right on my eyes to make sure I’m listening to her words. “If she was dancing all night, she was probably just tired and didn’t feel like she could perform to your satisfaction.”

I scoff at the ridiculous suggestion and give her a pointed look. “Well, if that’s what it was, then I hope she knows her performance would never be in question. In fact, I’m looking forward to a time when I can prove to her that my interest doesn’t require an act of any kind.”

A lovely pink tint colors her cheeks. “I’m sure she’d like that.”

Leaning back on the sofa, I take a better look around the room. A large cabinet covers the back wall and a credenza with a TV above it balances out the other side. “Is that a Murphy bed?”

Angel smiles and nods her head slowly, causing a lock of silky blonde hair to fall over her eyes. I sweep it back before wrapping my palm around her neck and pulling her forehead to mine. “I think I’m done with the counseling session.”

“Okay.” Angel bites her lower lip and nods, her eyes darkening as my thumb caresses her temple. “What do you want to do now?” she asks softly, knowing exactly what I want to do to her.