Page 14 of Jenna's Protector

“You mentioned flirting with the men. Did you have to…” Carter’s jaw tightens, and his grip on my hand grows firmer, offering silent support. Max’s ears twitch, and he moves closer, his body language alert yet calming.

“No.” I shake my head vigorously. “They were very careful about that. It was nice, to be honest.”

“Nice? What does that mean?”

“They protected us from the men who got toohandsy. The men didn’t touch us. They weren’t allowed.”

“Not allowed?”

“Like I said, we were protected from things like that. It had something to do with an old club way back when. The men could look but not touch. It made it more—civilized.”

“Civilized?”

“They wanted us to feel safe. Said as much at the outset. The men couldn’t touch us; we were supposed to report it if it happened. On the other hand, we were encouraged to flirt and do whatever ittook to make them feel special. There was nothing about sex, which is why it never occurred to me that…” I choke up at this part, then shake my head as if that could erase the memories.

“I never felt exploited. Uncomfortable, for sure. At least at first, but then it became a game.”

“Game?”

“To see who could get the biggest tips. The best gifts.”

“Gifts?”

“If a man favored a girl, he could give her gifts.”

“Jenna, I hate to ask, but the more specific you can be…”

“I didn’t see the trap until it was too late. They began taking me to these private parties, introducing me to clients who were powerful and wealthy. The men at these events had a way of looking at me that made my skin crawl. Their eyes were predatory, and I felt dirty being a part of it, but I kept telling myself it was just part of the job. I was there to make them feel special and get as big of a tip as possible. Gifts as well. I refused to accept what my gut was telling me.”

“What happened at those parties?” Carter leans in closer, his expression intense.

“At first, it was just mingling. I was still in training and didn’t understand what was happening. The clients would make suggestive comments, but I brushed it off. I was told to be polite, smile, and make them feel special. And like I said, they never touched me during those parties, just watched.”

I pause, the memories flooding back. Max whines softly, sensing my distress, and nudges my leg again. I reach down to scratch his ear.

“Then came the night of the final private party. This time, it was different. They said I was ready to take the stage. I thought they meant to walk the runway and model for real.”

FIVE

Jenna

“And what did that mean?To walk to the runway for real?” Carter’s eyes probe for details, but he does it in a way that makes me feel safe.

As if any of this is helping, but somehow, it feels good to finally talk about it with someone other than Forest.

“Reliving these memories isn’t easy.”

“I know, but Forest thinks there’s a connection and a way you might be able to help me. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

I take a deep breath. “That night, besides serving, I was told I would model for the clients. They paraded us around in barely-there lingerie. It was a fashion show but with a twist. As we walked up and down the runway, the men placed bids. I thought they were bidding on the merchandise—th-the lingerie. We were given numbers to wear on our garters. I didn’t realize they were bidding on me. I thought…” I choke up at this point.

“When did you realize what was happening?”

“My gut was screaming at me that something wasoff, but I ignored it. Sophia figured it out. She told me we had to get out. That they planned to sell us. I didn’t believe her. I should have.”

“You can’t blame yourself for what happened. They manipulated you. Used you.”

“Yeah, but Sophia was always suspicious. I didn’t believe her until they brought me to the man who placed the winning bid on the lingerie I thought I was modeling… That’s when everything changed.”

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