Page 49 of Enzo

"Deja," Enzo called her from the office. "Jessie, will you give me a minute? One of the people that owns the club is calling me."

She nodded and sat back in the chair.

Deja went to the door on the side of the bar and pushed it open. Declyn was sitting at one of the desks while Enzo was watching the camera that showed the interior of the club.

"She has a baby," Deja said, walking into the room and closing the door behind her. "What are we supposed to do with that? She can't work here. What if the Thalians target her like they targeted me? What if they target Mia?"

"What if she starves to death and takes Mia with her?" Declyn asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"When you first came here, Deja, we missed the fact that you were hungry. Not just hungry, but starving. After the experience of dealing with you, we can tell when a human hasn't eaten, and she hasn't eaten in days." Enzo walked up to her and wrapped her in his arms, remembering how it felt when he realized she wasn't eating.

"We can't turn her away," Declyn frowned, going to the camera to look at her.

"It's not your job to rescue the world." That's what her boss told her when she tried to plead with her to see a patient who couldn't afford to pay but still needed to be treated by the best. "We're a business, Deja. If a patient can't pay, then they need to go somewhere that offers free services. When we treat a patient, we expect to be paid."

She got it; she didn't like it, but she got it. They were doing what they loved for the money, and it wasn't their job to be responsible for the world.

"Enzo." Was she pleading on behalf of or against Jessie? There were just so many possibilities. "All right, what do you want me to do?"

"You make the decision. It was your idea, but remember Jessie was able to cross the barrier, and she was the only one brave enough to cross it." Declyn gave her a smile and pointed towards the door.

"Sorry about that," Deja said as she walked back into the club.

"That's fine; I should be going. Thank you for the interview. If you have a job opening after I find a sitter, I would like a chance to apply for it."

"Jessie, is someone with Mia right now?"

"My mom will watch her for a couple more hours before she needs to go out."

"Then would you mind coming with me? The interview isn't over."

Jessie stood and waited for Deja to lead the way. They walked out of the club, and Jessie followed her down the street until they arrived at her apartment. She led her up the stairs and through the door.

"I live here. When I first got this job, I lived in an apartment that was an active construction site. The new owners wanted me out, but I had nowhere to go." Deja gestured to the male sitting on the couch. "That's Ven."

He stood up and smiled at her.

"He lives here with me. Come into the kitchen."

She led them both into the kitchen. "We're just having sandwiches and chips today. Jessie, would that be okay with you?"

Her blue eyes were wide, and her tongue was rubbing over her lips. Declyn and Enzo were right; Jessie was hungry, starving.

"I don't want to inconvenience you."

"No inconvenience. I hope you like hot sandwiches. Ven hates them cold, so we have a panini press that I'm finally learning how to use. Ven will be recommending the soda; he says different sodas go with different foods. I usually drink whatever he tells me to." Deja caught herself as she heard the joy in her voice. She was this happy because Declyn and Enzo took a chance on her.

She still had a thousand questions or more. The Thalians were still a threat, but her life was good, and she wouldn't walk away from it because tomorrow there may be trouble.

"How long have you been working here?"

"It feels like forever, but it hasn't been that long. A couple of weeks."

"Oh."

"I agree; you don't have to say it. I live here in this apartment close to my job. I have Ven and Enzo. You'll meet him soon; he's one of the co-owners of The Wolves' Den." She placed sandwiches and chips before them. Ven took out the soda, and they all got quiet as they ate.

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