Micah didn’t dare open his mouth to refute him. Despite Tessa’s constant grumbling, he did have some sense of self-preservation. Besides, he was too dazed from the blow to formulate an intelligent response. (Not that it would have done much good.)

Seeming to realize Micah wasn’t in any condition to argue, Ren ran an agitated hand through his hair before pinching the bridge of his nose – clearly trying to calm himself. “I thought we were making progress, but plainly I was mistaken. It appears you need yet more time to reflect on your poor life choices. Do try to act like less of a shameless slut when I return.” With that last jibe, Ren turned on his heel and strut out of the room.

Micah felt nearly light-headed with relief when he heard the door latch shut behind him. (Well, it was either that or the blood rushing to his head from the awkward position Ren had left him in on the floor.)

In hindsight, Micah deeply regretted letting Ren know that he knew that he was gay – and that it was okay. He hadn’t anticipated the man mouth-raping him in reaction to being shown a bit of compassion. But, apparently, Ren was so starved for affection that simply being told he wasn’t an abomination was taken as an attempt at seduction.

Micah didn’t want to think about whether or not Nico – and all the others before him – were forced to bear Ren’s twisted attraction as well.

Regardless, Ren’s behavior certainly hammered home how unpredictable the man was – how dangerous. He was as liable to calmly read passages from the Bible as he was to shove his tongue down Micah’s throat as he was to pummel him.

Even if Micah kept fighting him – even if he never renounced his gayness – Ren seemed just as likely to kill him in a fit of rage as he was to “send him home to God’s arms” after a successful rehabilitation. Micah needed to escape – and soon. That had never been so clear.

So he schemed. Micah scanned his surroundings, considered the position he’d been left in on the floor, tested the rope that secured his wrists and ankles to the chair (again), and he came up with a plan.

He forced himself to wait until what had to have been at least thirty minutes had passed – just to make sure Ren wasn’t planning on coming back anytime soon – before putting said plan into motion.