CHAPTER SEVEN
Two days passed, and Juniper and Thorn had already started some of the classes. On Thursday, Penelope arrived earlier at the Goldman Mansion, eager to talk to the English teacher face to face. She figured she had had enough time to evaluate them.
Penny blinked in confusion but made sure to keep a pleasant smile on her face.
“I’m happy to hear that. How are they doing? Have you managed to evaluate their level of English? Mr. Goldman insists this is the most important thing right now.”
“Oh, yes. They are more advanced than you think. They were shy and silent at first, but once they got used to me, they pretty much blew my mind. We’ve started with some grammar for now, and they absorb everything like thirsty sponges.
” She laughed awkwardly. “I’m not sure that’s a very elegant comparison, but… it does the trick.”
Penny laughed with her. She was proud of herself for having hired Angela Bailey. She had a way with children, and she had known immediately there was a good chance that Juniper and Thorn would open up to her.
“Nina likes to learn by practicing the rule over and over until she gets it right, but Kosta is more inclined to learning via little games and role-play.”
Penny’s face went pale. Not even the rosy blush she had applied earlier that morning was able to cover the paleness of her cheeks. Without thinking, she grabbed the teacher’s arm and pulled her toward the door.
“You’re calling them by their real names?” she whispered. Even though Richard was at the office and Marcia was God knew were, the house was still full of maids and servants.
“Y-yes… I didn’t realize it might be a problem. They asked me to use their real names. Most times, Nina is okay with Juniper, but Kosta absolutely hates to be called Thorn.”
Penny sighed and rubbed her temples. In truth, she didn’t know why she was reacting so dramatically.
She simply had a feeling that her boss wouldn’t appreciate hearing that someone was using the children’s real names when he was trying so hard to help them forget about their past and integrate in his family.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t know. Truly.”
Penny shook her head and smiled as kindly as she could.
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry. It’s my fault. I should have mentioned it.”
“I didn’t even know they had other names before moving here,” Angela Bailey insisted. “They told me yesterday and asked me to call them Nina and Kosta. I took it as a sign that they trusted me.”
“No, no… please. It’s all my fault. I should have been more transparent with you.
Mr. Goldman thinks that if they get used to their new names, they will forget about Bulgaria and the orphanage more easily, that’s all.
From now on, can you please remember this and go back to calling them Juniper and Thorn? I’d be very grateful.”
The English teacher bit the inside of her cheek. Penny could tell she didn’t feel comfortable with her request.
“Of course, Ms. Walton,” she finally said. “But… if I may…”
“Sure.”
“I know it’s not my place to get involved like this, but I really do care about my students.”
“I understand. Go ahead.”
“Just one small suggestion… Have you thought about hiring a therapist, as well? It’s not easy for them to open up, and they’ve just gone through a huge change.
They have no friends, no children their age to interact with…
That can’t be healthy. Every day, surrounded by adults who are putting so much pressure on them…
unwillingly, of course. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to overstep my bounds. ”
Penny thought for a second. “Not at all. In fact, I think you’re right. I should have thought about this sooner. Thank you so much!”
Angela sighed in relief, then Penny walked her to the door and bid her a good rest of the day.
Once she found herself alone, she made a few notes on her phone for the report she was supposed to prepare for Goldman at the end of the first week and went upstairs.
She knew the twins wouldn’t say “no” to a game of hide-and-seek before dinner, and she had to admit to herself that she’d missed them.
***
She was getting ready to leave when Richard Goldman came out of the living room and stopped her on the hall.
“Penny.”
A little startled, she turned to him and smiled.
“Hi, Mr. Goldman! I was just about to leave. Juniper and Thorn will be ready for dinner in a few minutes.”
She didn’t know why she had said that. She knew the kids never dined downstairs with the family, which she thought was very weird.
“Yes, yes. Good. I need you to do something for me before you leave. It won’t take more than ten minutes.”
“Of course.”
“Please bring them to the living room. I want them to meet someone special.”
She nodded and went back upstairs. As she knocked on the door and Juniper answered, she felt her stomach clench with something akin to anxiety.
What was wrong with her? Goldman’s request was normal and simple.
Then, why did she feel so out of place while leading the twins downstairs?
And who was that special someone they were about to meet?
As they entered the large living room, Penny stopped in her tracks.
Richard Goldman was just handing his guest, Enzo Salvador, a glass of whiskey.
Enzo was comfortably sprawled on the sofa, a grin on his full lips.
His whole demeanor made Penny flinch. It was as if she didn’t know this man.
Although he was dressed just as classy and elegantly as ever, there was something in his attitude that screamed that he didn’t give a shit about anything and anyone because he owned the world.
“Juniper, Thorn… come here, my darlings.” Goldman took the kids by their tiny, shaking hands and pulled them to the middle of the room, so Enzo could see them better. “What do you think?”
For a long minute, Enzo didn’t say anything.
He studied the twins, then felt Penny was still in the room with them and turned to look at her.
He had wanted to avoid her. He had sworn to himself that he would not look into her eyes even for a second, but the temptation was too much.
The confusion and slight panic he saw painted all over her pretty face almost broke his heart.
He couldn’t believe he was doing this to her!
Penny forgot how to breathe. When her eyes met his, she was sure she saw a flicker of regret in them, but it was gone in an instant.
Maybe she imagined it. She had no idea what was happening right then and there, but she couldn’t walk away.
She simply couldn’t. She wouldn’t. Both Juniper and Thorn seemed tense, and Enzo was not acting like himself.
Or… maybe this was who he really was, and he’d deceived her all along?
She prayed to God that Goldman wouldn’t tell her to leave.
“They’re very young,” Enzo said dismissively. “Is this all you got?”
Goldman pushed the kids aside and launched himself in a long explanation, gesturing widely to better persuade Enzo.
“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.”