Page 43 of For the Love of a Boy

“All right.” Malcolm pressed his lips together, dreading the days ahead on his boy’s behalf. “I’ll discuss everything with Seth, then get back to you.”

“I’d insist on speaking with him now, but I’m guessing you’d insist that his attorney, Mr. Goodman, wouldn’t allow it?”

“You’re an excellent guesser, detective.” Malcolm made a mental note to get an official agreement set up between Seth and Nate immediately.

They said their goodbyes, with Malcolm promising Detective Lopez he would call him back once they’d met with Nate. The detective then promised Malcolm he’d notify them if the indictments came through. Malcolm couldn’t begin to imagine the fallout if they didn’t and the church members were set free.

Malcolm set down his phone then faced Seth. The expression Seth radiated back at him broke Malcolm’s heart. If only he could bear the burden for his boy.

“Sweetheart—”

“They arrested him, didn’t they? Were they all arrested? What about the camp? Has it been shut down? Do I have to go to Idaho? I don’t think I can. I want to, but I don’t know. Will they make me? Can they do that?”

While Seth had been frantically asking all his questions, Malcolm had been rubbing his arms and making soft shushing noises, trying to calm him down so he could not only answer Seth, but reassure him.

“Baby, you need to take a breath and listen to me. Can you do that?”

Seth hiccupped on a sob, nodding his head. “Yes, Daddy. I’ll listen. I’m sorry.”

Malcolm gritted his teeth, taking a breath of his own before he spoke. He didn’t want Seth to misinterpret his frustration. “You have nothing, and I mean nothing, to be sorry for. Now, let me take you through this step by step. But before I start, you have to understand there’s very little info as far as the arrests go. It just happened. There’s a long road ahead while they investigate. And yes, someday, you’ll probably have to go to Idaho to testify in court.”

Malcolm couldn’t stand it any longer and gathered Seth onto his lap. He made sure Seth was looking into his eyes before he continued. “But I’m here for you. I’ve got you baby boy, no matter what. You’re more precious to me than anything or anyone. Do you trust me?”

Seth threw his arms around Malcolm’s neck. “Of course, Daddy. I trust you with my life.”

Malcolm hugged Seth, holding onto him tightly, doing all he could to silently convey how much he was loved. He dreaded what he had to say next.

“Sweetheart,” Malcolm released his hold and eased back so he could lock gazes with hi again. “There’s something else. However, I need you to know I don’t believe it in the slightest, all right?”

Seth paled. “Believe what? They’re saying they’re innocent? I already assumed that.”

Malcolm pressed his lips to Seth’s, determined to keep showing him affection, hoping to dull the sting of what he was about to tell him.

“No. They’ve made an accusation against you. They claim you stole five thousand dollars from the church. They’re telling the detectives that it’s why you left and why you’ve made up these accusations.”

Seth’s face crumpled as tears fell. “Daddy, I’ve never stolen a thing in my life. Never! Why…?” Seth’s gaze never left Malcolm’s. “Why won’t they stop torturing me? Is being born gay so horrible I have to pay for it over and over and over again? I still haven’t escaped them, have I? It’ll never be over.”

Seth fell against Malcolm’s chest, weeping and shaking. Malcolm rubbed his back, but realized nothing he did at that moment could comfort his boy—not really. He’d have to cry it out. Then, they could move on from there.

Malcolm only hoped Seth wouldn’t give up. That his father would get his wish and destroy the man Malcolm didn’t think he could live without.

Malcolm buried his nose in Seth’s neck, inhaling his boy’s sweetness. He’d fight with everything he had to make sure that never happened.

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