Page 17 of Jenna's Protector

I take a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the memories lifting slightly. Max gives a small whine, and I draw comfort from his steady presence.

“That’s not what I mean.”

“What do you mean?”

“That man paid millions for me. He will come for me if he discovers where I am.”

“I’ll protect you. I just… I need your help.”

“Other than what I’ve told you, I don’t know what else I can do.”

“Can you tell me more about how they target girls? How they targeted you?”

“They target vulnerable girls—runaways, those with troubled family backgrounds, or those simply looking for a way out of their current lives. They lure them with promises that seem too good to be true, and once they have them, the real nightmare begins. That was me. If it’s the same operation that took me, they canvas the streets for pretty girls. The girls that are missing… Are they pretty?”

“They’re all beautiful, and all with tragic home situations.”

“Then that’s your connection.”

“Can you tell me anything else about how they approached you? Their selection process?” His eyes never leave mine, his attention unwavering.

“They’re meticulous. They study their targets, learn their routines, and their habits. They look for girls who won’t be missed immediately or have a history of running away. Once they have enough information, they make their move. They promise the stars and groomed me for weeks before I agreed to go with them. Worked like a charm. I was everything they were looking for. Young, malleable, desperate, and looking for love and acceptance. Validation that I was worthy of more than my father’s fists.” I pause, the memories flooding back. Max lifts his head, sensing the tension in the room.

“And the parties?”

“The parties are where they do most of their business. High-profile clients, people with money and power, come to these events to ‘shop.’ It’s disgusting, but it’s how they operate.”

“And how do they keep their operation hidden?” Carter’s jaw tightens, his anger palpable.

“They have connections. Corrupt officials, law enforcement on the take, and anyone who can help them stay under the radar. Those officials were their most lucrative clients. It’s a well-oiled machine designed to avoid detection.”

“I need to identify these connections. I’ll start with the modeling agency. Can you give me their name?”

“Elite Essentials, but good luck with that.”

“What do you mean?”

“When I was at the Facility, I tried to look them up. Sophia was also there that night—at the auction. She didn’t get out like me. I thought I would find her… Free her.”

“I have a few tricks up my sleeve. They may have changed the name, but I doubt they changed how they operate.”

“All I can say is these people are careful and have a lot of money.”

“Thank you.” Carter leans forward, determination etched on his face. “This really helps.”

I look into Carter’s eyes, seeing the depth of his desperation. “I don’t know how any of that can help you, but I’ve told you everything I know.”

“Jenna, I know this is hard, but your insights are invaluable. I need to ask something else.” Carter squeezes my hand, his grip strong and steady.

“What more could you need?” I furrow my brow, feeling the weight of his words. “I’ve told you everything.”

“I need to profile these people. Your experience with them—how they think and operate—could be the key to predicting their next move. Anything you can remember about those men will help me find them.”

I shake my head, feeling the pull of my past trying to drag me back under.

Carter’s eyes soften, and he moves closer, his voice gentle yet insistent. “But you know their behavior, their tactics. You’ve seen their faces.”

“I have.”