UnderFire Read Online Free

out of here. I’m
not lying. I’m in the mall like I said before. Turn on the news.” Charity’s
voice went higher and more strident. “No. I’m not with Dougie. I told you, I’m
finished with him and those other people. I don’t do that anymore.”
    Kathleen couldn’t ignore the strain in the other woman’s
voice. Jake squeezed Kathleen’s fingers again and released her. She longed for
the comfort of his touch but banished the notion a second later. She couldn’t
afford what happened in this room to make her think there was more between them
than old acquaintances temporarily reconnecting in crisis.
    Charity disconnected the call and jammed the phone into her
bag with a sigh.
    “Everything all right?” Kathleen asked.
    Charity shook her head. “It’s my boyfriend, Shane. He thinks
I’m messing around with my ex, Dougie.” Charity dropped her hobo bag and the
cell phone fell out onto the floor and cracked. “Shit!”
    “No need for that language in here,” Bob said.
    Charity glared at the man. “Screw you.”
    “Whoa.” Mike held up his right hand. “Can we not do this? It
isn’t helping a thing. We’re all strung tight.”
    “He’s right,” Jake said. “We have to keep it together. We
don’t know how long we’ll be stuck in here. Fighting each other won’t help.”
    “Sorry.” Charity’s meek expression returned as she gathered
her broken phone and stuffed it back into the bag. Tears shimmered in her eyes.
“It’s just that Shane is so controlling and…” She glanced around, then said, “Never
mind.”
    Mike frowned. “Shane’s controlling you?”
    “He’s been bossing me around since we got engaged two months
ago.” Charity started to cry. “He’s telling me what to wear and what to say and
who I can call and…” She shook her head.
    Kathleen rummaged in her purse and handed Charity a tissue.
Old wounds surfaced inside Kathleen that had lain dormant for years. She gritted
her teeth and made a vow to keep her nose out of the girl’s business.
    “Sounds abusive,” Mike said.
    Charity took a deep, shaky breath. “It is. I decided just
this morning that life is too short to marry someone like that. I’m dumping
him.”
    Kathleen smiled. “Good for you.”
    Bob laughed, the sound harsh and short. “You see, that’s
wrong with morals today. Women think they can just—”
    Kathleen’s decision to stay impartial disappeared. “What do
women think?”
    Bob’s bulky form towered over everyone. He pointed at
Kathleen. “Women need to learn to stay home and take care of the kids.”
    Charity stared at the man as if he’d sprouted antlers. For a
second Kathleen wasn’t even sure she’d heard him right.
    Charity shook her head. “I don’t have any kids. You need to
mind your own damned business.”
    Bob crossed his arms, not an ounce of contrition on his
face. “Perhaps if you were at home where you should be rather than gallivanting
around town your life would be better. Black nails? Black clothes? Are you a
devil worshipper?”
    Charity’s mouth fell open. “I don’t even believe in the
devil, you stupid bastard.”
    “You should.” Bob’s tone was condescending.
    Kathleen’s trouble radar switched into high gear. She knew
they needed to stop this roller coaster before it jumped the tracks. At the
same time, she couldn’t fault Charity for standing up for herself.
    “You women should heed what I say. You’re being led down a
dangerous path,” Bob said.
    “Are you serious?” Kathleen was at the end of her rope with
this guy. “What year is this anyway? Nineteen twelve? Last time I looked, women
had a right to move about freely, without a man’s permission. If I want to be
led astray I’ll be led astray, thank you very much.”
    Bob harrumphed. “Well, we’ll see about that. Things are
about to change around here if I have anything to say about it. Constitution is
full of good women who know their places. We’re going to change the face of
this town