Embarrassed by his experience with Louis, George tried to decide on a story, a believable one. In halting speech he managed to fumble through telling how he stumbled upon their secret place, omitting the part about being forced to suck Louis’ dick.
The three men seemed to relax slightly. George didn’t know if they believed him or not, but they no longer had their fingers on the triggers of their weapons.
* * * *
Cullen laid a gentle hand on Daddy’s shoulder, and pulled him to the kitchen. Johnny followed.
“I think he’s telling the truth,” Cullen whispered to them.
“I can’t take that risk,” Daddy rumbled.
“Let me do it, Daddy,” Johnny said. “I’ll make sure no one ever finds his body.”
“No!” Cullen hissed. “I will not add murder to the charges already pending against us.”
Oh, no,George thought in horror. They’re criminals! I’m doomed.
“He’s a spy.” Daddy jabbed a finger in George’s direction. “He’s probably from the U.S. Marshals. How else can you explain him finding us all the way out here? We’ll have to move. Again.” He slumped against the cabinet as if already defeated.
“Maybe it won’t come to that,” Cullen said. “You two go wash up. I’ll see if I can salvage something for dinner.” He scanned the kitchen which he had cleaned up while George was unconscious.
* * * *
Daddy and Johnny walked a short distance to the pond where it emptied into another with a short waterfall. They washed their clothes and laid them out to dry on the rocks. The sun had set below the trees but the air was still warm.
The cool water washed the sweat, dirt and grime from their skin. As Johnny splashed water over his bald pate, he noticed Daddy sitting under the falls, not moving, his eyes lowered.
He sloshed over to him and placed his hands on Daddy’s shoulders, massaging them.
“It’ll be all right, Daddy.” He kissed him on the lips.
Daddy responded and pulled Johnny into an embrace. Johnny reached down into the water and began to stroke Daddy’s cock and balls, but received only a sad smile in return.
“Does Daddy need some service to cheer him up?”
Daddy gave him a big grin. “That would certainly make me feel better but that’s not going to fix anything.”
Johnny settled into his arms, letting the cool waters splash over both of them.
“This isn’t the life for you and Cullen,” Daddy murmured in his ear. “You deserve better than this. Not life on the run. Not living in fear of what might happen tomorrow.”
“Have you thought that maybe Cullen and I like it here with you?” Johnny rubbed his face in Daddy’s beard.
“Have youthought that I know what’s best for you two?”
Johnny chuckled. “Daddy’s dick is all we need.”
Daddy laughed. “I meant you shouldn’t have to bathe and wash clothes in a stream. You should live in a house with indoor plumbing and electricity, not cooking over an open fire or on a propane stove.”
Johnny retreated into silence. What Daddy just described sounded like paradise but how good could it be without him? It sounded as though Daddy had resigned himself to a life in hiding, living off the land. Did he mean to leave them? Sacrifice his own happiness for their comfort and future?
Cullen came down to the pond. He handed each of them half a peanut butter sandwich. “This is all I could put together. I turned off the generator to save gas, but we’ll have to finish the beer tonight.”
He stripped off his clothes and joined their cluster under the falls.
“I really don’t think you have to worry about him being a spy,” he said, snuggling against their bodies. “Those bruises and scratches on his face and body are what you would expect if he’d been attacked and beaten and then run through these woods in the dark.”
Daddy heaved an enormous sigh. “What do we do with him now? If we let him go, he’s certain to tell someone.”
“Maybe he’ll promise to keep quiet.”
“How would he explain where he’s been? That he wandered into the woods, got lost and miraculously found his way back out?” Daddy sneered.
“Let’s not make that decision this instant,” Cullen implored. “We’ve had a rough day. Tomorrow we’ll think about this some more and decide what to do then.” He spoke firmly.
Daddy chuckled. “Momma has spoken. But keep him tied up tonight.”
* * * *
George tried to shift his position to relieve the stiffness in his limbs, but the ropes were too tight. He stopped struggling when he heard voices outside the cabin. His heart began to beat faster.