Haunting-Adeline

breaks my heart. Her eyes are swirling with sorrow and fear. It’s an
expression no child should ever wear on their face.
“What’s your name?”
Dan scoffs, but I ignore him. “S-Sarah,” she says quietly, her voice mousy.
I want to hurl her into my chest and run out of here, but I think we both
know that’s not possible.
“Sit on my lap, Sarah,” I order firmly.
Reluctantly, she listens. Her eyes drop as she climbs on my lap, but I
don’t miss the tears welling in her eyes beforehand.
The sick feeling grows more potent as I help her up, keeping her body at
my knees with one hand high on her back and my other on her knee. Areas
that are not sexual but will be perceived as domina ng to the others. I’d
prefer not to touch her at all—she’s viewing this as something predatory—
but I feel safest with her close when there’s a bunch of adults eyeing her
like she’s their next meal.
Literally.
I force a predatory smile on my face and lean in, my lips at her ear, and
whisper so only she can hear, “You’re safe with me. Keep quiet.”
Dan observes the interac on closely, a hint of displeasure in his eyes.
From his vantage point, he wouldn’t have been able to read my lips. And
he’s not the type of man that appreciates secrets being told in front of his
face.
Sarah is smart. She doesn’t react. Doesn’t nod or speak. She just
con nues to look at her clasped hands, tremors wracking her pe te body
as if she’s in the middle of a snowstorm.
I look up at Daniel. “Am I expected to have an audience, or can I enjoy
her elsewhere?” I ask, looking at the girl with an cipa on.
He will think I'm an cipa ng all the ways I'm going to hurt her, but in
reality, I'm picturing li le Sarah being carried away by Ruby while I poise
his head over a knife.
Dan’s mouth quirks at the look on my face, his expression so ening back
into ease once more.
I’m a damn good actor. I’d never survive in this field of work otherwise.
“We would love to watch,” Dan says smoothly, leaning back in his own
chair, while one hand snakes under the table. I can’t see what he’s doing