| Surprise Gift

Natalie smiled when Dominic replied with, "Sure, baby." They all rose and then Dominic took the hand that Lance extended and shook it once. "Until we next meet…" 

"Oh wait." Lance gave Pascal a subtle signal and the enforcer then dug a bulging sports bag from under the table and handed it to Natalie. She didn't take it, just raised a brow at Lance hoping for an explanation. "You know what your mother was like for saving money. She began a fund for you to be given to you when you mated to give you a kick start. There would have been more in it had she not died." 

Tentatively she took the bag. "There's money in here?" 

"Twenty-five thousand dollars." 

"Twenty-five thousand dollars," she echoed quietly, more than a little stunned. It struck her that he could have just kept the money for himself, knowing she'd be none the wiser. "Why are you giving me this?" It sure wasn't because he cared for her. 

"I'd never ignore the wishes of my mate."