Demario's POV

"This is so nice," Ryan crooned as he cleared the now-empty dinner plates from the bed. "I know it's a bit much to deal with right now, but you two will see the light that the three of us belong together."

Oh, gag.

Readers, I can only tell you that most captors who were lovesick weren't really this hospitable or even feeling lovey-dovey for their captives. Most of them usually kill when rejected. But Ryan's still determined to give me and Oliver the time to adjust to being theirs. Since being in this house (which turns out to be the same house where Artem used to live), the two of us were snogged and embraced by the jock as he kept us in the bedroom.

Of course, he still maintained his promise to make sure that we didn't leave his sight and stood guard when the time came to relieve ourselves in the hallway bathroom. "Can't afford either of you running out on me," Ryan teased with a bit of a threat laced in his voice. "I'll do anything to make sure that you'd stay put."

Other than that, he's been generally easygoing for a captor who's hyped up on possession.

"That was good food, Ryan," Oliver said, keeping his voice courteous. "I never had spaghetti with hot dogs before."

Ryan preened. "One of the many foods that I loved to cook for Artem back in the day, before he turned against me," he replied. "But this is one of the many foods that we'll enjoy together once we stick together and you accept me by choice. Why refuse me and leave behind broken hearts with death when we can give them good memories once you choose me before we all leave Texas and roost somewhere where gay guys and trans people can be accepted? The three of us can be a great trio of young men together."

I stifled the urge to roll my eyes. Would this actor like some eggs with his ham? "We'll see if you can stay on your word, Ryan," I replied firmly. "No need to act so hasty when you have six days left to prove your worth."

"But of course," Ryan chirped. "I'll be right back with some dessert." He hurried out of the room.

"What a turkey," Oliver said sotto-voce as we shifted on the bed, frowning at the ropes that were back on us. "The sooner we get out of here, the sooner we can make sure that we get the taste of his kisses out of his mouth."

I heard police sirens outside as Ryan's footsteps came up the stairs as the jock was looking upset. "It's the cops," he hissed angrily. "I made sure that your phones and shit were destroyed so neither of you could call for help. How the fuck did they find us?"

I kept a calm face. "Maybe they've been searching for you where you like to hideout," I suggested.

"Yeah, well it won't fucking matter since I'm making sure that none of us will make it out alive," he grunted. "And it's too bad that I gotta shoot us guys because I really like you two a lot. But don't worry, we're going to be together again in death. We'll be in clover in the afterlife and leave behind a legacy like none other. So say your goodbyes or whatever because it'll be time to make the final exodus."

He left the room as the police sirens grew louder and louder. "Ryan Peavey, come out with your hands up!" came the booming voice of Officer Slater from outside.

"You're not taking them from me!" Ryan hollered before he came back into the bedroom with a gun in hand, which he pocketed before grabbing me by the scruff. "I'll kill Demario first before you take me alive!"

He forced me out of the room, Oliver looking frightened and angry as I could only let the brown-haired teen guide me into the spacious and bare living room. I saw from the window police cars as two officers suddenly burst insdie with guns drawn. "Oh, God," I breathed, my heart racing fast.

"Don't even think about it," Ryan snarled, placing the gun muzzle against my temple. "One false move, and Demario will be in a casket without a proper goodbye."

"Ryan, think about what you're doing," one of the officers said gently as she placed down her gun on the carpeted floor. "Demario and Oliver doesn't need to die."

"They will whether or not you're going to back off," Ryan said, his voice full of paranoia and obsession, He laughed maniacally. "I keep telling you, if I can't have Demario and Oliver, no one can. Artem rejected me while Theo and Jillian were too wild for me. Demario and Oliver are mine whether in life or death. I'd rather see them in a hearse than see them happy without me."

"Ryan, please," I begged softly, trying to turn to face him despite the iron-tight grip he had on me. "Think about this!"

"Sorry, babe," Ryan replied sadly, though keeping a hard glare on his face as the muzzle of the gun was still against my head. "You and Oliver will thank me once we're together in heaven. Any last words?"

"Yeah! Get the HELL away from him!"

BANG! BANG!

Ryan felt his body stiffen, his grasp on me slipping as I fell onto the ground. I looked up to see a gunshot wound through his forehead just as he dropped his gun.

My eyes went wide with shock as I saw a furious Madame Endora Kendricks holding the gun. "Move, Demario!" she commanded.

I rolled to the side as she fired one more shot into Ryan, him collapsing to the floor in cold blood. "Holy shit," I breathed as a male cop came over to untie me as others raced upstairs to collect Oliver. To a stone-faced Endora, "You shot him!"

"You're welcome," the elder Kendricks woman said, nonplussed as she handed the gun back to an equally-stunned female cop. She gave me a small grin. "Are you okay?"

"Ginger peachy now that it's all over," I replied as Oliver bounded down the stairs and kissed me passionately. "Thank God it's over,"

"I'll bet," my boyfriend agreed. "Let's get the hell out of here!"

He didn't have to tell me twice. After watching him take his testosterone medicine and shots, I let him and the officers escort me to the waiting limousine that would take me back to my family.

Farewell, Ryan Peavey. You were too much for my life, though I hardly know you more than I should've. I hope you find peace in the afterlife.

Fare thee well, Ryan. I hardly knew ye yet knew you too much to see your demons.

Coming up next, Demario and Oliver stop by Ryan's grave and pay their respects to Jillian and Artem before Demario stops by Fairlake Arms to talk with others who suffered from his mother's control!

And just like that, we're five chapters away from the finale! Before the final song is played, see how it all ends and join me as we get ready to say goodbye to Demario's complex journey. And from here, it's all about healing, peace, and love.

Dedication: agroad.

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