by Grace, Aria
"You can join us if you'd like," Garrett offers with a grin. He's always had a soft spot for Mouse. He says it's because Mouse reminds him of himself when he was younger.
"Thanks, but I’m meeting someone." Mouse bids us all farewell and slips out into the hall.
"So…did you figure out what's going on?" Garrett sets the bags on the coffee table by the sofa.
Jason and I unpack all the food containers while we the situation to him. As we talk, I can see him getting more and more upset.
"I'm not comfortable with this." Garrett stands up and begins pacing the length of the room. "This guy sounds like the kind of scum who might do something rash."
"Maybe, but there's nothing we can do about it." I take a seat on the sofa beside Jason and pat the cushion next to me for Garrett to sit down. "Right now, I'm just trying to figure out how to keep my business afloat."
"Right, well, I'm going to hire some security for you." Garrett pulls out his cellphone and starts dialing a number.
What? "No, wait…you can't just fill my lobby with security guards. You'll drive away the few customers I've got left."
Garrett huffs in frustration but disconnects the call. "At least let them install cameras and after-hours security to make sure nothing hinky happens. Can we please do that?" Garrett looks at me pointedly. "I want to protect you. Both of you."
"I know." I wrap my hands around Garrett’s strong bicep and cuddle into his side. "But, I don't think he'll go that far."
33
Garrett
I don't like this.
Some scum-lord alpha has been threatening one of my omegas, and there's nothing I can do about it.
There's nothing illegal about stealing clients and poaching employees. I've done my fair share of both of those things. The way he did it, however, makes my blood boil. There was no reason for him to show up at Omega for Hire and confront Farron directly. It was a power move. Like an asshole alpha marking his territory.
Well, asshole, this is my territory, and I won’t take this lying down.
After lunch with my omegas, I clear my schedule and head out to my car. I was supposed to look at few more potential office spaces, but this takes priority.
I'm just about to pull out of the lot when Jason comes running outside.
He yanks open the passenger side door and leans down. "I'm coming with you."
"You should stay with Farron." I don't want to get Jason involved in whatever it is I'm about to do.
"He's got Mouse to help him." Jason climbs in and fastens his seatbelt. "I'm not helping much, anyway. I felt like they were speaking an entirely different language in there. Besides, you're going to scout out the enemy, aren't you?"
I pause with my hands on the steering wheel and look at my reflection in the rearview mirror.
"I…" My voice trails off because I don’t want to admit it, but I won’t lie to my omega.
"You didn't actually think through what you were going to do, did you?" Jason actually sounds like he’s teasing me with a smile in his voice. "Well, then, I guess it's a good thing I'm coming with you."
I reach over and place my hand on the back of his neck, giving him a gentle squeeze. "Yeah…I guess it is."
We pull out of the parking lot and make our way to the edge of the industrial district. All the buildings show signs of urban decay, and the number of homeless omegas on the streets increases the farther we go. Eventually, however, things begin to pick up.
A number of kitschy clubs and shops appear along the streets. Their industrialized storefronts are just the sort of thing that's popular among the hipsters these days. From here on, the whole area looks like it's been given a bit of a facelift. Gentrification has not skipped this part of town.
I haven't been around here in ages. I didn't even know any of these buildings existed. It almost feels like I'm in another country entirely.
Omegas R Us is in a brick building with a bright neon sign out front. It's not much to look at, and I’m honestly surprised at how trashy it is. Still, if these guys really are poaching Farron's clients, then we need to take them seriously.
"Just don't do anything rash," Jason warns as we climb out of the car.
"I never do anything rash." I’m trying to convince him of my self-control as much as myself.
"I could sense your alpha rage all the way over here." He looks at me from across the hood of the car. "You want to run in there and bust some heads together because they threatened Farron."
"Maybe a little, but I'm not going to." A blush spreads across my cheeks because I feel like he sees right through me sometimes. "But this is the best way to help Farron. We need information on their business and how they're pulling away his clients."
Jason nods once. “Agreed.”
We approach the building slowly and are greeted by a surly looking bouncer at the front door.
He takes one look at me and glares. "Sorry, buddy, you're not welcome here."
"Excuse me?" I knit my brows together, surprised he recognizes me. "You're seriously going to stop a paying customer?"
"I'm not stupid." The bouncer pulls out his cell phone and brings up my picture. "I've got strict orders not to let you in."
The picture is my profile image from my business website. Apparently, this Frank guy has done his research.
"I can make it worth your while." I hold his gaze as I reach for my wallet. Most club bouncers make more money off people bribing their way in than they do off their paychecks. I'm sure this guy is no different.
"Look buddy, you don't have enough money in that wallet to get me to let you in." The bouncer snorts as if the mere suggestion is preposterous. "My boss pays me well. I've got benefits plus a wife and three kids that rely on me to take care of them. I'm not putting that at risk for whatever measly bribe you've got."
I growl in frustration and bite back the urge to yell. Frank must really want to keep me out. I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted by that.
"Okay, whatever. Can I get in?" Jason demands impatiently.
The bouncer regards him sourly. "You're with this guy, so I don't think so."
"I'm not with this asshole." Jason’s announcement has a little more intensity than I expect. "He's my boss's alpha, that's all. I'm here because I want a job. Your boss wants info on mine, right? I can tell him everything he wants to know and more."
The bouncer rubs his chin then gestures to me. "Then why are you with this guy? If you're really gonna betray your boss, why are you hanging with his alpha?"
"Because we're screwing." I know this is just an act, but Jason’s crass announcement still makes my heart hurt. "He's here because he wants to protect his omega or whatever. I'm here because I think your boss and I can cut a deal."
"Jason, sweetheart, why are you doing this?" I turn to him, doing my best to look distraught without showing how painful it truly is to play along and support him. After spending the last two weeks with him and Farron, there's not a doubt in my mind that he's bluffing. But it still hurts to hear. "You said you were coming along to try and help me out."
"Well, maybe if you had left him like you promised, it wouldn't have come to this…" He whirls angrily toward me. His back is to the bouncer now. He flashes me a smile and a wink. "You and I are over, Garrett. I'm putting my money on the winning side."
"Jason…baby. I…"
"That's enough out of you," says the bouncer, interrupting our little spat.
Jason turns to face him once more. "Are you gonna let me in?"
"Fine." The bouncer steps out of the way and gestures for Jason to enter the building.
"Look, Jason, we can fix this. I'll leave him. I swear I will. Just please don't walk away from me." I lay on the emotion as thickly as possible. I can’t cry on command, but I get pretty damn close.
"Go on, buddy." The bouncer waves me away like I’m a feral dog as Jason disappears inside. "You should head on home."
I take one last rejected look at the door before turni
ng back and heading across the parking lot.
34
Jason
The interior of Omegas R Us isn't at all what I was expecting. The lights are low, and all the furniture is dark wood and scarlet colored velour. The central room conjures distinctly brothel type vibes, especially with the number of scantily clad omegas wandering about like hungry cats looking for a saucer of milk.
I put my hands in my pockets and try to look like I mean business as I approach the front desk. A friendly young omega greets me. After I tell him who I am and why I'm here, he calls his boss from the back office.
"I thought I recognized the eyes of a survivor when I saw you this morning," Frank says as soon as he sees me. "Why don't we come into my office where we can talk a little more freely?"
I don’t like the idea of going anywhere with Frank, but I swallow my fear and nod with false confidence. I'm doing this for Farron.
As soon as we're in his office, the smell of cigars hits me like a pungent cloud. The scent would be almost pleasant if it wasn't so overwhelming. I wrinkle up my nose and breathe through my mouth, trying to hide my distaste.
"So, I hear you want to switch sides." Frank grins and folds his hands in front of him after he settles in behind his desk. "What kind of info can you give me?"
I sit down across from him and fold my hands in my lap. "His client lists, for a start," I try to mimic Mouse's mannerisms from when he was talking with Farron earlier. He seemed so confident and knowledgeable about the business. I, on the other hand, am not sure I know enough to even bluff my way through a conversation about it.
"Good, good, anything else?" Frank digs around in his desk drawer and pulls out a cigar.
I bite my lip, hoping he doesn’t push much further because I don’t have any real details to offer. I need to keep the conversation moving but in the other direction.
"Look, I don't need to prove anything to you. You already know who I am and the information I've got access to. He introduced you to me just this morning. If anyone here needs to prove anything, it's you." I stab the air between us with my index finger before folding my arms over my chest and glaring at him.
Frank regards me carefully for a moment. "I'm not sure you understand the situation you're in. I have all the information I need to take your boss out of the game completely. Anything you tell me will just make the job easier. I don't need you on my side in order to win here, but you need to be on my side if you don't want to find yourself out of work. Ya feel me?"
I swallow and look away. "I have access to his current financial records, client lists, as well as profiles for all his omegas."
"I'm glad we understand one another. Anything else?" Frank folds his hands again and offers me a fake smile.
I’m not sure exactly the sort of information a slime-ball like this would be after, but after a few seconds, I think of the perfect lie. "I know which omegas are most likely to turn on him," I say confidently. "I can also tell you which ones are going to be the biggest blow to him financially."
Frank's smile spreads and he seems more than pleased with my offer. "Okay then. You draw me up a list, and I'll see about compensating you for your efforts."
"That's not how this works.” I shake my head, choosing my words carefully. "I've got something for sale, and I can't hand it over until you make an offer on it."
I'm playing a dangerous game here, but if I pull this off, it should all be worth it in the end.
"Okay then…" Frank drums his fingers on the desk. "What do you want?"
"Let me in on this." I look around his office, sitting up a little straighter. "Obviously, I know how this whole thing works. I've been sitting in on my boss's meetings for a long time now. I can be a useful asset as you expand your business."
Frank tilts his head slightly and narrows his eyes at me.
"I don't work with omegas," he says after a moment. "I employ omegas to work for me. Do you understand the distinction there?"
So…he's one of those guys.
"Yeah, I get it." I nod slowly and try to hide my disgust. "I'm just saying that I want job security. You said it yourself, you're going to put my boss out of business. It's a foregone conclusion. So that means I'm going to need a job."
"I think…we may have a job for you here. There will be a signing bonus too, but I'm going to need your information before you start working." He shuffles around the papers on his desk and pulls out an employment application. "Why don't you take this and fill it out?"
I look down at the page. It's a regular job application, like one you might fill out at a grocery store. I fold it up and look back up at him.
"Look, if you want, I can start laying the groundwork with the other omegas." I’m forced to use a different tactic with him. He might not be as stupid as I hoped. "Some of them are looking for steadier work. You've bled a lot of the most popular ones of their regular clients, so they'll be happy to follow where they went."
Frank looks like he's considering my proposal as he rocks back and forth in his swivel chair.
"Do it, and I'll give you an extra bonus for every omega you send my way." He climbs to his feet, making a few notes on a piece of paper before he passes it to me. "These are the basic terms of employment and the benefits new hires can expect."
I glance at the note and my eyes nearly pop out of my head. "This is incredibly generous. How…?"
"How can I afford it? Because my clients pay top dollar," he says with a laugh. "I don't know how your boss has stayed in business for this long charging what he's been charging. It's almost like he doesn't know the value of his product."
Something about the way he says the word 'product' makes me feel sick. I choke back the bile in my throat and force myself to shake his hand.
"Thank you for taking the time to see me." My smile is as fake as the flirty tone in my voice, but Frank doesn’t seem discouraged by either. "I'll think over your offer, and at the very least, I'll start sending some omegas your way."
His greasy grin makes an appearance as he gestures toward the door. "I look forward to it."
It’s not easy for me to walk out of the building. Everything about Frank sets my nerves on edge. I can’t imagine working for someone like that, especially as an omega.
By the time I get outside, I feel like I'm gonna puke.
I'm grateful for the fresh air as I walk across the parking lot to the next building where I see Garrett's car. He's sitting on the hood and waiting for me, tapping his toe impatiently.
"I was getting worried." His eyes quickly scan me from head to toe as if making sure I’m in the same condition he left me in. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but I think I need to shower…for a week." I feel gross all over, and I'm not exaggerating in the slightest. Just shaking Frank's hand made me want to bathe in disinfectant.
Garrett slides off the hood and pulls me into his arms. "Let's get you home."
By the time we get home, Farron is already there waiting for us. He left Omega for Hire early because there wasn't anything left for him to do. He and Mouse tried calling the clients that had canceled, but everyone either dodged them or refused to give a straight answer.
As soon as the three of us get settled around the dining room table, I tell them everything I learned during my journey into the lion's den.
"So, he's charging more and he's still luring my clients away. How does that even work?" Farron sounds exasperated as he slumps across the table like a sack of potatoes.
"It's perception of value," Garrett says after a moment of contemplation. "It's a tactic I've used a lot. Most people equate higher price with a higher quality product.”
I’m just as confused as Farron. “I still don’t get it.”
"For instance, a study was conducted where a number of highly regarded sommeliers were all given two different glasses of wine. One glass was poured from the bottle of a well-known but cheap brand. The other glass was served from a bottle belonging to a rare and expensive brand. The sommeliers consis
tently gave the higher priced bottle a better rating. After the test was over, it was revealed that the wine had been switched. The cheap wine was in the expensive bottle, and the expensive wine was in the cheap bottle."
Farron frowns and chews his lip thoughtfully. "So you're saying the contents don't matter, it's all about the price?"
"Not just the price," I blurt before I can stop myself. Both Farron and Garrett look my way, and I feel myself blushing out to my ears before I explain my outburst. "It's the packaging that matters too. Your place is like the expensive bottle. It's high end and lush, but the price is lower. Frank's place is kind of trashy, but the price is higher. I think… Well, maybe if you were to raise your price to match your image, you could beat him."
35
Farron
"Really?" I feel like an idiot for missing something so obvious. "We did a whole bunch of market testing when we first launched. I thought our prices were fair."
"They were," Garrett says without hesitation. "But you didn't have any direct competition back then."
"I always assumed you needed to lower your prices to remain competitive." I shake my head slowly at how dumb I’ve been. "I thought he was going to drive us out of business by undercutting us so low we couldn't stay open." I sit up straighter and chuckle to myself. "I guess things aren't as bad as I thought."
"You're not out of the woods just yet." Garrett holds up a hand to rein in my relief. "You've still got to get your old clients back. If they're happy where they are, they're not just going to come running back because you've raised your prices. You need to do something to increase the value of what you're offering them."
"So…discounts? Coupons?" I laugh awkwardly, feeling completely out of my element in this discussion. "I'm honestly not really sure what more I can give them. They can hire any omega in the building as long as that omega is available for the kind of work they need. How do you increase value on something like that?"