“No, you’re not.” Goldman advanced toward her. “Leave her and go home before I change my mind about you and fire you.”
Penny laughed. The whole situation was so messed up and so ridiculous that it actually strengthened her resolve. It was funny that Goldman believed he was the center of the Universe and he could order everyone around. Just as she was getting ready to spit a string of curses into his face, Enzo stood up and handed her boss a second stack of money.
“Hey, hey… there’s no reason to fight over this,” he said in a smooth, calm voice. “I’m not here to cause you any more trouble, Richard. Warren has just stormed out in a rage, and I feel guilty. Here, how’s this? I’m going to offer you double, and you give me the both of them for tonight.”
“Excuse me?” Penny looked at him dumbfounded. Did she get that right? Was he offering Goldman money for her and Juniper?
“Shut up, woman!” Goldman turned to Enzo, glanced at the money he was holding out for him, considered the offer for a moment, then smiled and voraciously grabbed the bills. “Deal. Bring them back in the morning.”
Penny started shaking her head in utter shock. Her mouth opened and closed a couple of times, then she gave up trying to speak and swallowed heavily. When Enzo nodded toward her, she almost snarled at him.
“I’m sorry about Warren, truly,” Enzo told Richard. “He’s your friend, and I’m only the new guy.”
Goldman waved him off. “He’ll get over it. Your offer was better. He’s a businessman, so he’ll understand once he cools off a bit. Well, I hope you enjoy what you bought.”
“Oh, I will.” As Goldman returned to counting his money, Enzo leaned in to whisper in Penny’s ear: “You’re both safe with me. Trust me, okay? I’ll explain everything on the way.” Gently, he pushed her toward the door.
Penelope was too afraid and confused to protest. He seemed honest, but she immediately shunned the feeling that she could, indeed, trust him. For now, she thanked the Heavens that she had gotten here on time and Juniper wasn’t alone. The girl’s hand trembled into hers, and she squeezed it lightly. She had no idea how, but she was going to get them both out of this mess alive and unharmed. As Enzo led them to his car and made them sit in the back, Penny smoothed down Juniper’s blonde locks and whispered:
“I’m here. I’m with you. Everything is going to be okay.”
The girl sniffed and nodded. Penny wished she could believe her own words like Juniper did.
CHAPTER TEN
Penelope looked out the window, and her heart started beating faster. Enzo was taking them to his place. The first night they’d met, and he had taken her to his house and fed her Manchego cheese, she had felt excited. Exhilarated. What she was feeling now, as Juniper clung to her side, was far from that.
“Enzo, please tell me what’s going on. Please tell me there’s a misunderstanding and I’m reading this wrong.”
She hated the note of pleading that was so evident in her voice, but what other option did she have? Sure, she was ready to fight. But first, maybe there was the slightest chance to appeal to his rational side. It hadn’t worked with Goldman, though…
He sighed and caught her eyes in the rear-view mirror.
“Unfortunately, you’re not reading anything wrong. Yes, your boss was about to sell Juniper to Warren. For a night. It was sheer luck that I got there on time and outbid him.”
Penny’s temper flared.
“You outbid him… So, now you think you own us? You think Juniper and I are Goldman’s pets to sell?”
“No, of course not. Penny, I didn’t buy you, okay? I saved you. When you barged into the office, I thanked all the gods that you were there, and I could take you too to take care of Juniper.” He turned to the girl, who was sitting right behind him. “What is your real name, anyway? Juniper can’t be it. I hate it.”
“Nina,” she whispered carefully. “My brother is Kosta.”
“That’s more like it,” he smiled at her, then turned back to the road. “Of course the bastard would change your names the first chance he got. He’s doing everything in his power to make you forget where you’re coming from, who you really are, and how strong you are.”
“What are you talking about?” Penny was more confused than ever. Could it be possible that Enzo was, in fact, a good guy? “You’re… helping us. Why?”
“Because it’s my job, Penelope. It’s my mission on this Earth.”
“I… I don’t understand. You’re so vague, so mysterious… Come on, just stop playing this stupid game and tell me the truth once and for all. Who are you, Enzo Salvador?”
As he parked the car and turned off the engine, he said loud and clear:
“I’m a Guardian. Immortal, half god, and a ram-shifter.”
Penny was dumbfounded. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He sounded completely delusional, and it was a laughing matter and a crying matter at the same time.
“That’s insane.”
