Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

E ver since the van doors slammed and Missi identified herself, she hasn't shut up. Her psychosis and delusions are even worse than we thought. I have a migraine, and I'm honestly fucking scared.

I've suffered abuse all of my damn life, but this… My father really has lost his fucking mind.

"And we will have a beautiful summer wedding. I'm thinking of the beach at sunset. It was so pretty on Valentine's Day. Even if you were there with her . But it's okay. I forgive you, Lenny."

"Missi, I am not now, or ever, going to marry you," I grumble, but she ignores me.

"We just need to fix you, then everything will be perfect. I was born to be Missi Crane. It has a great ring to it, doesn't it?" she asks Jacob, the driver, and he grunts, never taking his eyes off the road.

I don't know how long we have been driving, but the ocean is gone and all I can see are trees. I guess it makes sense, since we are going to a camp.

"I'm not gay, Missi. I am bi-sexual, and there is nothing wrong with that," I mutter, but she rolls her eyes, then leans over and slaps me hard.

I will not hit a girl. I will not hit a girl.

I have to keep reminding myself not to touch her, but I wish I could wrap my hands around her throat and watch as the light leaves her sadistic eyes.

"Why are you so obsessed with me? We only fucked like once, and it wasn't even very good," I mumble and Jacob snorts, then apologizes when Missi glares at him.

I wonder if they are fucking . It wouldn't surprise me.

"Oh, Lenny, sex is just a small part of what we have. You're mine. You've always been mine, and I won't let some trailer tramp or gangbanger take you from me."

My eyes widen and I'm speechless. "Damn, babe," Jacob mutters, and I have to agree.

Missi has always been judgemental and cruel, but to call the people I love such derogatory and bigoted things, makes me wish I could kill her even more.

If only there wasn't a cage separating us. Well, she managed to slap me through the small square in the middle… Maybe I could…

"Don't even think about it, Lenny. I have a taser and I will use it on you. Though I don't want to. I love you so much. Why won't you just love me back?" she whines, and I cringe.

"You love her. What's so perfect about Rylee fucking Moore? She's not even pretty. Her ass is flat, and she's poor!"

I tune her out and stare out the windshield, trying to figure out where we are.

"Lennox!" Missi screams and Jacob swerves the van, making me crash into the side.

"Fuck," I moan, rubbing my side. That's going to leave a bruise.

"Are you listening to me? I was telling you all about the children that we're going to have, and you didn't even comment on the names I chose!"

I look over at Missi and laugh. "You are fucking delusional. I am never, ever going to fuck you again. Let alone have children with you," I snap and she sighs, waving her hand around.

"Sure, baby, whatever you say."

When we reach the camp, Jacob parks and then they leave me. The van's engine is off now, and it doesn't take long until it's sweltering inside and exhaustion hits me.

Is this part of ‘fixing me'? Suffocating me in a hot van? My eyes become heavy and I must pass out.

"Damn, he's heavy," someone mutters close to my ear. I feel weightless, but I'm moving.

"Wasss goin' on?" I mumble. I'm so sleepy.

"Lenny, baby, wake up. We're home," Missi coos, and I keep my eyes closed. I do not want to open them.

"Lennox!" she screams, before a burning sensation hits my cheek from her slap.

"Stop hitting me, woman!" I growl, opening my eyes and sitting up.

My arms are tied to a bedpost, with what seems to be silk ties, and Missi is standing beside the bed in lace lingerie.

Looking down, I see that I've been stripped of everything except my boxers.

There are chairs all around us with people sitting, observing.

"Who the hell are you?" I shout. A man in khaki shorts and a shirt with the camp's logo on it moves forward with a wave.

He has floppy hair and I can tell he's not straight by the way he is eating me up with his eyes and licking his lips.

"Hi, Lennox, I'm Counselor Dave. This is what we call Initiation Conversion Therapy. Your lovely fiancée here has volunteered to help us," he says with a big grin on his face, and I shudder with revulsion.

Rolling my eyes, I begin to laugh. I can't stop. Are they fucking kidding me with this? This guy is in charge here?

"I am going to sue all of you for kidnapping and molestation," I say with an almost hysterical chuckle.

Missi scrunches her nose, then moves to straddle me, but I bend my knees and end up vagina punching her with them.

Sucks to suck. She whimpers and snaps her fingers. Two men stand, grabbing my ankles and tying them down.

"This isn't kidnapping, baby. Your father signed all the consent forms. He just wants to see you happy and healthy," Missi pleads.

And the Academy Award goes to…

She moves quicker this time, jumping on top of me and I wince.

"See, baby, this is how it's supposed to be when you make love to your wife. Not bent over and railed from behind."

I scoff and close my eyes as she continues to grope and touch me. She doesn't go as far as to grab my dick, but she gets close until Dave warns her off.

She giggles and plays innocent. I don't know how long this shit is supposed to last, but I pray they just hurry the fuck up and get it over with.

I need to find a way out of here, or at least get to a phone.

If you're there, God, it's me Lennox. I know it's been a long time since my last prayer, but if you could just give me a tiny favor… Save me from this literal version of Hell.

"Okay, that's a wrap!" Counselor Dave says with a clap of his hands and I open my eyes, glaring at him, but freeze.

He's rock hard, and the way he's looking at my body… Some of the other people stand and I see they have had a similar reaction.

"POSERS!" I scream, and Missi jumps off me in fright. Everyone pauses and looks at me like I'm crazy.

"You are all fake! Hiding who you truly are, trying to pray the gay away. I haven't been here very long and I can already smell the lies, desperation, and shame. I'm not even gay. I like vagina!"

Missi pouts and points to my flaccid cock.

"No, baby, you're not straight, but it's okay. After you finish the program, everything will be perfect," she says with excitement, clapping her hands dramatically.

"Do you hear yourself? You will never get me hard, Missi, because I have a girlfriend who I fucking love. And you know what else? I have a boyfriend too. It's the twenty-first century! Wake the fuck up!"

A few of the other initiates mumble, discussing, and I can see Dave's face turn red with anger.

"Everyone back to your cabins, now!" he barks, then storms out. Missi shakes her head and she has honest to God tears in her eyes.

"I know it's just the gay inside of you that's making you mean, Lenny. You don't really want to be so cruel to me. Things will get better."

Spinning away from me, she leaves my cabin, slamming the door behind her.

A woman I don't know gives me a shy smile and unties me, before rushing out and locking the door.

Standing, I begin to pace as I try to come up with an escape plan. I know the guys and Ry are doing the same. I just hope they hurry.

Three days of Hell. I have been forced to attend art classes, poetry readings, boxing lessons, and other bullshit things that they think are manly.

I am about to drown myself in the Goddamn lake. Missi is non-stop with her delusions. She even had a wedding planner come here to ask me about what I envision for my dream day.

"Great job, everyone!" Dave says with a smile. "Let's join hands and pray."

I offer my hand to Travis, because he's a nice fucking guy, and last time I denied him, he was punished for flirting with me and making me uncomfortable.

Missi is twisted in the head, and it's bad enough we're all trapped here. I don't need her sadistic tendencies hurting other innocent people.

Someone knocks on the door and I sigh. I just want to return to my cabin and take a nap.

I haven't slept in two nights, because the minute I close my eyes, Missi sneaks in and tries to attack me.

My only saving grace is that I can't get an erection with her .I need to get out of here before she resorts to drugging me.

"Sorry, Dave, but I need to see Lennox Crane," a woman I don't know says, and I quickly move over to her.

"Go ahead, Lennox. We will escort you back to your cabin whenever you are done," Dave replies, and I bite back my words.

Last time I lashed out, they withheld my meals, and I need to keep up my strength if I'm going to break out of here.

I follow the petite brunette down a few halls and she leads me to a conference room of sorts.

Opening the door, I burst inside. "Mom," I gasp, pulling her into my arms as she hugs me tightly.

There's color in her cheeks, and she looks like she's gained some weight. When we pull away, she touches my face and her eyes are clear for the first time in forever.

She seems happy.

"Baby, what did they do to you?" she gasps, getting a look at my black eye. I wave my hand in a dismissing gesture and glare at the suspicious man sitting across from where we are standing.

"Lennox, I am Jeremy, your mother's attorney. I have filed all the necessary paperwork and you are free to leave here. But before we do, may I suggest you filing a restraining order against Missi Kondum?"

My eyes widen and I nod immediately. Closing my eyes, I thank God really quickly, then move over to the forms he has laid out on the table.

"Do you have a pen?"

"What if it doesn't work? What if she can't get him out?" Donny asks, chewing on his thumb as he paces back and forth.

Cobbler thinks it's a game, she's barking and nipping at his ankles, but he doesn't seem to notice.

"She's his mother. If his father can have him put in there, she can get him out. Although I still don't fucking get how that asshole was able to force him in there. He's over eighteen. Fucking blows my mind how them whack jobs seem to be able to work around the law, all because of their bullshit beliefs."

"I don't know, but I'm fucking done with that asshole waving his dick around like no one can touch him. I have money too, you know! I can start tossing it around if need be," Donny grumbles.

The sound of a door slamming shut has our eyes shooting to each other. "They're back," I say and I'm on my feet, running out the door after Donny.

"Fuck, yes!" Donny laughs, before tackling Lennox.

"Be fucking careful!" Mateo growls, prying Donny off his boyfriend.

"Holy shit, man." My eyes widen as I take a look at the damage done to his face. "What the hell did they do to you in there?"

"I don't wanna talk about it." He smiles, but I can tell he's only putting on a front for us. "I'm out of that shithole now, and I'm not fucking going back. Now, let's find out how we're going to get me back on the team."

We all head inside the house and file into the living room. "Oh, thank God you're back!" Fatima says when her and Felicia see us all sitting on the couches.

"Hey." Lennox nods. "Yup, I'm out. Thank God."

"I can't believe that batshit crazy bitch was in on this bullshit. God, she really is crazy. How is she not locked up? Anyone with eyes can see she has a few screws loose."

I don't miss the uncomfortable, pained look in his eyes. That bitch really is a fucking menace.

"Well, the good news, at least for me, is that I've finally got a restraining order out on her ass." Lennox sighs, wrapping his arm around Rylee. He's sandwiched between her and Mateo, like he needs their touch right now.

I look at Donny and we share a slight thought. We're not going to have Rylee to ourselves for a few days, so he can have the time he needs with his lovers.

"Thank fuck. It's about time. Any chance we can all take one out on her?" Donny huffs.

"Don't you think we've tried that." Rylee sighs. "You've got to have a lot of proof, or someone with connections. I've got none, same goes for Colt. You might have a chance, Donny, but she hasn't done much to you."

"Hey, if I could have her attention on me and not you, trust me, I'd be down for it," Donny says, picking up Cobbler and pulling her onto his lap. She starts licking his face with her little tail wagging.

Fatima and Felicia leave, and we get back to the urgent situation. "Alright, we have to find out how to get Lennox back on the team. With the competition less than a month away, we can't re-work the routine or find a replacement. They wouldn't be able to learn the moves in time."

"And not to add anymore onto our plate, but I wouldn't be okay trusting someone else to catch me. At least not right away," Rylee says, a bit of a guilty look on her face.

"I don't blame you, babe. It's not going to come to that because we're going to get Lennox back on the team."

"You know what I think we need to do," Rylee says, her eyes focused on where her fingers are playing with Lennox's. "We need to search this damn house, maybe even the whole campus, to see who the hell has voodoo dolls of us. Wouldn't surprise me if it was Missi. Bitch is a witch. She probably put a curse on our asses too."

That makes me snort. "I'm getting sick of this shit bad luck, and I just wish we could catch a break, but luck doesn't seem to be on our side."

"I have an idea," Mateo says, and we all turn to him.

Lennox seems to read his boyfriend's face and frowns. "Mateo. No. You don't have to do this."

Mateo slides out from behind him and grabs his phone from his back pocket. "For you, I really do."

Fuck. This isn't gonna be good.

"Teo, you don't need to do this!" Len tries to stop me once again from making this call, but doesn't he know by now that I would do anything for him, Rylee, Colton, Donny, and hell, even Trevor.

We are a family, and I will not allow someone to come in and bully us.

Mr. Crane went too far getting Len kicked from the team and put on academic suspension. I know this is his retaliation, but I won't allow him to abuse his son any longer.

Taking a deep breath, I hit dial. It doesn't take him long to answer.

"Well, this is a surprise," my uncle coos. " Haven't seen you or your family around lately."

Yeah, I don't have time to deal with him trying to catch up, and catch me out in the process, so I end up telling him where my mom is.

"Yeah, I need your help. Lennox Crane Sr. needs a wake up call and an attitude adjustment. He got his son kicked off the team and we need him back."

I don't ramble, I get right to the point and wait for him to make the next move. I already know what he's going to say, and I'm prepared to do it.

"I'll handle it, but remember, boy, you called me. I own you now. Be at the warehouse, 10pm on Thursday. And Teo, you better not disappoint me. I'd hate to have to introduce myself to that pretty little redhead you have hanging around."

The line goes dead and my blood chills. Fuck. I knew I would have to fight again, but I'm not happy that he knows about Rylee.

Len is pacing, and I don't want to make him worry more. I give him a grin and nod.

"Oh, fuck, really?" he asks.

Moving closer to me, he kisses me hard before pulling away and looking me dead in the eye.

"What's this costing you?" I wave my hand dismissively and then cross my arms.

"A fight, but it'll be fine. Let's go tell the others," I say as we leave the room.

I would do anything to protect my man, even if it means going back into the snake pit.

I may need to call my cousin, Lincoln, for backup if shit goes south. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that.