Page 39 of Scar Tissue

My instincts are screaming at me to deny the offer, knowing he’s about to lead me to his fellow pack of wolves. His hand feels like it’s leaving char marks where it rests. Instead, like the good little volunteer I am, I smile and follow his lead. We approach a table that’s centered perfectly in the ballroom—because of course it is. He needs an unobstructed view of his guests. An unobstructed view of potential threats. There are five other individuals seated: four men and one woman whose eyes are downcast. She sits next to a man who has his hand on her thigh. At first glance it would be easy to assume they’re together. But based on that downcast look and the bruises I can seepeppering her bicep in the shape of fingertips, she isn’t here consensually. I try not to stare too long, but she looks up at me with horrified eyes as soon as Harrison opens his mouth. She isn’t a woman; she’s barely a teenager. They’ve only dressed her up to give the illusion of maturity. How is anyone oblivious to the abuse she is obviously suffering?

“Gentlemen, I’d like you to meet Addison.” His hand on my back lowers further until he’s grazing the outline of my thong beneath my dress and I have to swallow back the rise of bile. “Addison, these are some of my closest and most trusted associates.” Of course, the men barely acknowledge me over their current conversation, but I don’t miss the way their gazes sweep the ballroom floor, likely searching for their next conquest. I’m grateful there aren’t many children here. But it doesn’t mean they won’t try to find the youngest person here to satiate their needs…That includes someone like me. “I’m sorry, dear. It seems my colleagues have forgotten their manners.” He finally removes his hand from above the swell of my ass and clinks a piece of silverware against his champagne flute. The men stop their idle chatter and turn their attention to him. “That’s better. As I was saying, gentlemen. This is Addison. She’s one of our volunteers, and has the same passion for youth as we do.”

The same passion. The lie they sell to the world while they hide the truth of their “business” behind closed doors and hushed trades.

One of the men leers at me in a way that makes my skin want to peel away from my body. “Hmmm…I do love fresh enthusiasm, especially when it comes on such a fresh face.”

I offer a saccharine smile, faking the cheerful tone in my voice. “Well, they say it’s never too soon to start making a difference. Ultimately, the best way to understand something is to be involved first hand, isn’t it?”

His smirk only deepens and I realize then that I’ve said something to keep their attention, and despite this being the opportunity we need, I’m no longer sure I want it. I’m about to excuse myself to go replenish my tray but there are two problems with that plan:

One, it hasn’t emptied yet.Two, Harrison wraps his arm around my waist, keeping me firmly in place. It’s a blessing and a curse that they don’t have cameras on us here because Nathan wouldn’t hesitate to come to my aid at this sight. However, I can imagine he’s losing his head at the content of the conversation. I have no doubt he can trace the innuendo hidden in their voices.

“I must admit, it’s refreshing to see someone of your age so keen, so…untaintedby the harsh realities of the world.” This time it’s the man who has his hand on the girl’s thigh.Just keep them drinking. Keep them talking. This will be over before you know it.

“It certainly isn’t easy in one so cruel, but it’s all the more reason to face the challenge. After all, if all of these kids are able to face their own challenges and come out better for it, why can’t I do the same to help them get there? Even if it’s from a more passive stance.”

“I’m sure we can help you take a moreactivestance, if you’d be interested.” He raises his glass in a toast. The mantra repeats over and over in my head as I brace myself against the onslaught of repulsion that greets me with every word out of their mouths. Laughter hums around the table in agreement, as if they’re laughing at the underlying meaning that they think nobody else is picking up on. But I only smile, playing my part. That smile quickly fades when the girl yelps out in pain. “I told you to sit still,” he hisses under his breath and I shift forward to…to do what? The girl looks at me again, this time with tears in her eyes as she pleads for help, and I feel the crack in my composure as I vow to get her out. Somehow.

Raucous laughter soundsfrom the table where, try as I might, I haven’t been able to escape from for long. Cons? The stolen touches that I haven’t consented to, now not only from Harrison, but his cohorts as well. I’ve had to readjust my dress on more than oneoccasion and think of elaborate ways to escape their clutches when they try to pull me down on their laps, clueless to the rest of the company in the ballroom. Pros? They’ve become quite loose-lipped the more and more they drink. On top of the champagne I’ve been endlessly serving the past two hours, they’ve been dipping into their personal flasks kept in their coat pockets. The evening is starting to wind down as people begin to gather in small groups and leave, while others continue to mingle. If it wasn’t for the branding on the event, or the numbers that continue to increase on the projector, you could easily mistake this as a party for personal purposes.

If only this money was going to what they’re promoting it is…It’s as equally heartbreaking as it is loathsome. I glance at my shoulder to check how much money has been raised and am met with an inconceivable amount just as I’m pulled abruptly down into someone’s lap. The tray lay discarded on the floor, but blessedly, it had been emptied just moments prior. “Why don’t you join us for a drink, Addison?” Hot breath hits my neck as one of the men who I hadn’t spoken with earlier speaks. Harrison is seated across from him, eyes trailing my form, and I wonder if he’s going to oppose the behavior, but instead his lips quirk up to one side, ignoring it.

I attempt to stand up when I feel the man’s cock hard against my ass, but he holds onto my waist, preventing my escape. “I really shouldn’t. I’m supposed to be serving until the room clears tonight.”

Harrison finally chimes in. “You’ve been working hard enough, I say you deserve a well-earned break.”

“See, and that’s coming from the man himself. Take a break with us, have a drink. Tell us more about your passion for our youth,” the man muses. “We may have some more opportunities for you. Some more exclusive.”

Forcing myself to remain poised, I pretend to weigh the question. “Exclusive? But I’m only a volunteer. There are multiple other girls here to choose from. Why me?”

The chuckle that Harrison exhales is borderline sinister. “Oftentimes, when we host events such as these, we also use them as arecruitment method. We like to be on the lookout for those who show potential and have the same interests as we do. This is an ever-expanding network, and there is always so much to do that we are always needing…an extra hand. Not to mention, you seem like someone who understands the value of discretion.”

“Oh?” The laugh I force out is hoarse. “Why would discretion need to be used in this scenario?” I need to be careful how I ask my questions or this could blow up in my face.

One of the other gentlemen at the table leans forward, his elbows resting on the table. “Think of the homes some of these kids come from. Do you honestly think their parents would be willing to let some of them go to start their own futures? When they might be providing for them? No. The kids in these scenarios are often acting as the guardian figure; raising money for the household, doing whatever they can just to avoid going hungry or being on the other end of a fist.”

The fact that they’re targeting already struggling children causes my world to spin slightly on its axis. No wonder it’s so easy to manipulate them. If I was a normal bystander, I would think the world of them…

“Woah there, you’re looking a little sick. Are you okay?” Harrison stands up and takes a few steps over to where I’m still seated on his friend’s lap. He kneels before me, placing his hand on my knee.

I guess my world really was spinning because my skin washes over with ice at his touch, bringing me back to the present. “I’m sorry…” I search my brain for something convincing. “You just never realize how terrible something really is until faced with conversations like this from people who have firsthand experience.”

Who have firsthand experience.Oh, fuck. I know I’ve said the wrong thing by the way the four men glance at each other and I can feel the shift in Harrison when he squeezes my knee a little tighter. Because this is a new charity. There has been no illusions or ties to these men that they’ve been involved with children in any way, shape, or form in the past.

“I-I mean it seems like you would have to because there obviously has to be some form of inspiration for the charity, right?” I swallow roughly as I try to correct my mistake.

The silence at our table makes my heart start to palpitate and I really do fear that I’ll pass out if they don’t respond soon. But just as my panic is about to take a front seat, Harrison simply nods. His grip on my knee loosens as he stands up again, straightening his tie. “Right. So much of the world turns a blind eye to their suffering, so if it’s the price we have to pay to get them out, then so be it. Because nothing worth having comes easy and not everyone is willing to cash in on it.”

I fear that he isn’t just talking about the children anymore. “Of course,” I murmur.

“It’s good to know you understand,” Harrison says.

“Because we don’t waste time on those who don’t,” the man whose lap I’m still perched on says against my neck.

I nod, but before I have a chance to answer, Harrison pins me with his gaze. “It’s also important to note that conversations like this don’t take place with just anyone, either. I mean, if we were to offer this opportunity to just anyone, it wouldn’t be so exclusive now, would it?”

There it is. This is no longer a test of interest. The hint of warning in his tone tells me to accept. I wish I had Nathan’s guidance in my ear right now because accepting or refusing could put me in an early grave. It’s clear that even the mention of an exclusive opportunity wouldn’t be something they would throw out to just anyone because it would cause noses to sniff where they’re unwanted if people gauged an interest in their…extracurricular activities. “Well, I wouldn’t dream of wasting anyone’s time. I’d be honored to be a part of such important work.”