“That’s the whole point! We find them when they’re young, mere children, take them in, and raise them ourselves. That’s how it’s always been. Our strategy works like magic. They get used to the situation, and by the time they figure out what they’d gotten themselves into, it’s too late. They won’t fight, won’t try to escape, won’t tell anyone…”
Enzo huffed. “But you’ll have to wait years until you can use them.”
“My friends and I play the long game.” He motioned for Juniper to step closer. “Look at her. A natural beauty! She’s only nine now, but in four or five years, she’s going to break many hearts. I already have a few clients who’ve set their eyes on her. She’s going to make me a fortune.” He grabbed her hand and made her spin around. “And Thorn…” The boy refused to join his sister, and Goldman almost growled at his impertinence. “Well, he’s shy now, and a little skinny. But I’m feeding him well. In a few years, he’ll be so strong that no fighter will take him down in the ring.”
Penelope was livid. All she could do was simply stand there, helpless, while her brain processed what she was hearing. She was imagining things, wasn’t she? She was having hallucinations. Because… this couldn’t be real. Her boss wasn’t talking about the two orphans as if they were two pieces of meat. No, not possible. And Enzo wasn’t just sitting there, waiting to be convinced.
“But they’re sheep, Richard.” Enzo chuckled and took a sip of whiskey. “I’m sorry, but I can’t see how this is a good investment on your part.”
“Our club has rules. Sure, we’d all like to own bigger, stronger shifters, but it would be too much of a risk. Cats, dogs, sheep… They do just fine. We’re a small group. All we want is to entertain ourselves a little. We don’t want to cause any trouble or draw attention to ourselves. Frankly, I can’t believe I’m inviting you to join. We haven’t accepted new members in over ten years.”
Sheep? Shifters? Club? Penny was getting dizzy. Her head was swimming, and she had to lean against the closest armchair. She did her best not to make a sound. It seemed like Goldman had forgotten she was there, or he didn’t care. Just in case it was the former, she had to make sure she didn’t startle him or interrupt him, lest he’d send her away. She needed to hear all of it, now. There was something rotten going on in this house, and these two men were going to hurt Juniper and Thorn. She couldn’t let them hurt her kids. That was why she had to be smart about it. Enzo’s sudden laugh snapped her out of her trance. He sounded superior and sarcastic.
“You know very well why you want me to join. I’ve just offered you the best business opportunity you’ve probably had in years, and on a gold platter, too. Also, I don’t have cats, or dogs, or sheep… I have a bear-shifter. An adult, not some scrawny cub. I bet your friends can’t wait to see my shifter in the ring.”
Goldman’s eyes sparkled. He didn’t bother denying that Enzo was right. It was all too obvious.
“If you see them shift, maybe you’ll change your mind,” he said.
Enzo shrugged. “Sure. I’m always down for a show.”
Penny’s eyes grew as big as saucers. She watched her boss push Juniper and Thorn forward and sit comfortably in an armchair opposite Enzo. The twins stared at the dark-haired man intently, as if they were waiting for him to do something, to say something to stop the madness, to take them away from there. When Enzo remained silent, they looked at Penny. All she could do was shake her head. She would have said something, but she seemed to have lost her voice.
“Forget about Penny, children,” Goldman said harshly. “Mr. Salvador is the one you need to impress. Come on, don’t disappoint me now. Shift.”
Penny’s stomach hurt when she heard Goldman say her name. So, he was aware of her presence. Then, why wasn’t he sending her away? Did he really believe she would go along with whatever sick plan he had?
Juniper and Thorn didn’t move a muscle.
Goldman sighed and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His brows were furrowed in annoyance.
“What are you waiting for? Mr. Salvador won’t join our club with his bear-shifter if we don’t show him we’re serious people. Shift already!”
Thorn pursed his lips and shook his head in refusal. Juniper sniffed but did her best to keep her tears at bay. She turned to the man who thought he could order them around, held his gaze, and said: “No.”
Goldman shot up like an arrow that had been released too soon.
“What do you mean ‘no’? When I ask you something, you obey. Do you think I saved you from your sad, miserable lives in that filthy third-world country and brought you here, in luxury, so you can say ‘no’ to me? Show some respect. Show some consideration.”
Juniper clenched her jaw, and Thorn promptly stepped between her and Goldman.
Penny took a step forward, ready to grab the kids and run away with them, if necessary. Her boss’s words made her blood boil. She was seriously considering launching herself at him and poking his eyes out with her long, sharp fingernails. Just as she was getting ready to act, Enzo stood up abruptly, grabbed her arm, and pulled her back.
“It’s okay, Richard. I believe you. They don’t feel like putting on a show tonight. Whatever. I don’t mind. I’m in, anyway. Just tell me when the next gathering is. I’ll bring my shifter, and you’ll all bring yours, right?” He turned to Penny and whispered to her. “Take them upstairs and ask someone to bring them dinner, then make sure they eat and go to sleep.”
She opened her mouth to tell him she didn’t take orders from him, but he quickly placed a finger on her lips to silence her.
“Penelope, trust me. There’s no reason to rise up a shitstorm right now. Go.”
Her palms were itching to slap him, but then she glanced at Juniper and Thorn and saw how small and lost they looked. She pulled her arm out of Enzo’s grip and ran to the kids. Quickly, she ushered them up the stairs and into their room, and locked the door. The last thing she heard was Goldman telling Enzo:
“We never bring them all together at the same time. It’s not safe.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
As soon as she saw herself and the kids safe in their room, Penelope sat down on the edge of the bed and hid her face into her hands, elbows resting on her shaking knees.
“What the hell? Oh my God, he’s crazy!”
