Page 33 of Ultimate Freedom

“Will he listen?”

“He will. He promised. You do know that both those old reprobates have flourished since they arrived here. I’m so glad you’ve taken them under your wing like you have. Norrie and I want you to know you can count on us to help in any way we can. And with the boy too.”

***

“What about the boy?” Norrie appeared, ready to join in the conversation.

Demi took her time explaining about her visitor yesterday and both the ladies listened without interruption. Until Demi spoke the name of the man who claimed to be Charlie’s father, Orville Blanchard.

Norrie’s expression hardened, and she spit the name out as if she had a mouthful of poison. “Orville Blanchard is a no-good son of a bitch around these parts. Dawson’s thrownhim out of town more than once. Probably caught him sniffing around Beth. Wouldn’t be surprised if that bastard didn’t give her the shit that killed her.”

“He’s a drug trafficker?” Demi felt her spirits rise.

“Not officially… but the miner’s know him well.”

“Can you get any evidence about this type of activity? Like from well-respected town folks around here and some of the old-timers you know who work at the mine. You get to see these people all the time. If we can gather enough proof that the man’s not decent to take on a child, I can pass it over to the welfare people.”

“Absolutely, I can and will. Do you think he’s Charlie’s birth dad?”

“Hell if I know. But if he is, that still doesn’t give him the right to step in and take Charlie away. From Charlie’s reaction to hearing about Orville, the kid hates him.”

“The law wouldn’t force Charlie to go with him, would they?” Lexie stared at Norrie and then at Demi who clenched her teeth to stop the cuss words. Instead, she answered solemnly. “Not if Whit has anything to say about it.”

Once those words were spoken, all three women nodded gravely. Now all they needed was for him to get home.

Chapter Seventeen

Charlie hated lying to Demi, but he couldn’t tell her the truth. He’d always known Orville claimed to be his father. From the time the boy was old enough to recognize the sneaky prick, as Beth called him, he’d been aware of their ongoing fights over his custody.

Not that Beth ever said they were related. In fact, any time the subject had come up about his father, she’d gotten angry and shut down his questions.

“None of your business, Char. You’re mine. And that’s all you need to know.”

“Orville says he’s my dad. He told me that last time I seen him.”

“Orville? That weasel’s as mean as they come and sneakier than a shit house rat. Don’t believe a word he says. I don’t want him near either of us ever again.”

It was the very next day he’d been left in their room alone when Orville had shown up. The drunk had been wily as all get-out, asking about Beth, wanting to know where she worked. Charlie had played dumb and tried to leave, but he’d been stopped by Orville grabbing his arm.

“You’ve grown some since the last time I saw you, kid. How old are you now?”

“Ten.”

“Yeah? You’re a good looker… all those curls. Hey, kid. How about you and me make some money. I got some customers who like pictures of boys your age. They especially like to see bare asses and skinny bodies. Take off your clothes, and I’ll show you how to pose.”

Terrified, Charlie tried to pull away. “I’m not letting you take pictures like that.” Disgusted, he fought to get away. “It’s sick… and you’re fucking nuts. Leave me alone.”

“Hey, settle down. I won’t hurt you unless you make me. I bet they wouldn’t mind seeing an ass all bruised or welts on your back. Probably get even more money.” Orville shook him hard enough that Charlie thought his eyes would pop from his head. It hurt… bad.

Before he could think straight, Orvill started pulling at his clothes. Once he’d gotten Charlie’s shirt off, he’d thrown him against the wall, gritted words of warning, and held his phone to get the shots.

Then he flung Charlie onto the bed and yanked at his jeans. Not having any underpants, his nakedness appeared quickly, forcing Charlie to hide by using the blanket.

“Stay like that. Don’t move.”

Swiveling his head this way and that, trying to gauge the quickest route for escape, Charlie listened for a few seconds and then bolted again. He got to the door just as Beth flung it open.

“What the fuck is going on here?” The shock on her face alarmed him more.

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