The Forever Series

by Trilina Pucci

  “I will never leave you, Mia. Please trust me.”

  I open my mouth to answer, and Cole’s cell goes off.

  I watch him put it to his ear and don’t need to hear what Foster is saying, because I can tell by the look on Cole’s face.

  One week later

  I am looking in the mirror at a person I do not recognize, maybe because Alex has put way too much eye make-up on me.

  “I look like a raccoon, Alex!”

  “No, you don’t! You look like you are wearing a smoky eye and it’s gorgeous, if I do say so myself.”

  “Alright, but when people think I am a hooker tonight, I will kill you.”

  “Calm down, everyone will know that you are Cole’s hooker, so no worries.”

  I laugh because tonight my mother is throwing a huge party downtown, for Cole and I to announce our marriage and to celebrate my progression. Talk about timing.

  After the team grabbed Carter, they offer him a deal he can’t refuse. He can confess and admit he was of sound mind, and go to jail by the shore, or they can make him disappear. I don’t ask if the threat is real.

  Thankfully, Carter is taken into custody by the police and admits his guilt. I am free from him and tonight is the night we start our lives, unhidden.

  Cole peeks his head into the room with his eyes closed. “Everyone decent?”

  “That depends. Is personality included?” I laugh, looking over at Alex. “Bitch,” she mouths.

  Cole comes up behind me and looks in the mirror. “You look spectacular, I mean it. You will easily be the most beautiful woman in the room.” Alex snorts, and we both turn our heads to look at her.

  “Sorry, I’ll just take my ugly self into the other room.” She gets up to leave us alone.

  “Okay,” Cole says. I slap his arm and he laughs. He turns me around. “Are you ready, Mrs. Parker?” I turn around, looking in the mirror at my gorgeous ivory gown, my hair tucked to one side. I feel elegant, like a 1940’s movie star, and I’m about to announce to all of our friends and family that we are married. I am so ready for this moment.

  My mother has spared no expense, renting the most enviable venue overlooking the city. The ballroom itself is expansive, hosting a twelve-piece band and covered from floor to ceiling with pink roses and candlelight. She has managed to create a room that is both spectacular and cozy at the same time. It could not be a better setting for tonight’s plan.

  I walk in and take in the room with awe and appreciation. “It’s beautiful, Mom. Perfect, really!”

  “Well it’s not every day your only daughter gets married. Or remembers being married!” She is obviously thrilled, joy emitting from her like heat from the sun. I laugh with her and she takes me around the room to show me all the details. We spend some time talking about the menu and the events of the evening; then Richard clears his throat and says, “Dearest, people will be arriving. We should make ourselves available to greet them.” My mother squeezes my hand and walks toward her husband, to join him greeting guests.

  “We should join them, Cole.” I look over at him, taking a call a few steps away. I make my way over only to make out, “Shut it down, now. I won’t hear any excuses. It doesn’t happen tonight.”

  Sounds like business to me. “No business tonight,” I say, putting my hands on his chest. He ends the call and nods yes, leaning in to kiss the tip of my nose.

  “What did you say before, love?” Cole purrs against my neck.

  “I said we should join my mother and Richard, to greet the guests.” Mmmm, his lips are very distracting.

  “I have a better idea.” He takes my hand, pulling me into a dark hallway. We kiss languidly, savoring each other. I love the way he tastes, like peppermint. I want to protest going any further, but frankly I would much rather do this than say hello to fifty of Mom and Richard’s friends! And yet, this evening is for us and Mom is so happy, we can’t be gone now. It’s wrong.

  Just as I’m trying to get myself to pull away from his magnetic embrace, Cole steps back and runs the back of his hand down my cheek.

  “Amelia, I love you. I don’t know how to express to you how elated and insanely stoked I am that you came back to me, that we are us again. Our love came back even before your memory returned, and now those gaps are filled so it is all truly perfect again… but there is still something you are missing.”

  Missing? No way.. There can’t be, I remember. everything now. “Cole, I remember everything about us. What are you talking about?”

  “I didn’t say it was a memory, I just said you are missing something.” He pulls his hand out of his pocket and I see the glimmer of something sparkly. I melt. It’s my ring, the ring he gave me the first time he proposed. Cole takes my hand and slips the ring on my finger, pausing to look at me. “Will you… be mine again?”

  “Yes!” I squeal as he pushes it on the rest of the way. “Now it’s official, Parker. There is no getting rid of me ever again.”

  “Good. That’s all I want, is you, forever.” I push up on my tiptoes to kiss him and he lifts me off the ground, kissing me deeper. When he puts me down we hear the band playing as people’s voices echo from the main room.

  “We should get out there, babe.”

  “Yes, I’m glad you agree, you horn dog! I would rather be naughty with you right here or anywhere, but we need to be gracious. Mom went to a lot of trouble for this evening; it means a lot to her. I’m going to run to the ladies room and I will meet you in there.”

  Cole takes the linen square out of his front pocket and wipes his face, giving me a wink and a slap on the ass as he walks out to join the party and I turn toward the ladies room.

  I see some familiar faces and say hello as I enter. When I find myself alone, I take a minute to admire my ring. I love it so much! It’s beautiful, and my life is beautiful! I can’t believe I’m here, basking in my happy ever after. I’m back with my prince, and I no longer have to look over my shoulder. I feel like singing.

  I pull out my lipstick and wipe my face to reapply my make-up, taking note to avoid another make-out session tonight. My face is a mess! I’ll have to convince Cole not to tempt me, at least not until the guests leave.

  As I turn to exit the restroom, I hear a rustling sound from the far end stall. I thought I was alone, but maybe someone is using it and I didn’t notice. It’s been several minutes. I hope it isn’t one of our party guests not feeling well.

  “Hello? Is someone in here?” The silence should be my queue to run out, but instead I walk slowly down the row of stalls until I reach the last door. I reach my arm out to push it but it doesn’t open, it’s locked. “Is someone in there? Are you okay?” I squat down to look under the door just as the main door opens and two women come in, laughing. I jump up, grabbing my chest, and notice an Out of Order sticker that has fallen off the door. I realize as I exhale that I’ve been holding my breath for a while.

  I’m insane! Pull it together, Mia. I walk out of the bathroom and greet my waiting husband.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just got spooked by a sound. I guess it will take some time before the fear and paranoia go away.”

  “Do you want me to go take a look?”

  “No! It’s the ladies room. You can’t go in there.” I would feel better if he looked.

  “People aren’t nude inside, are they?” He waggles his eyebrows as he opens the door, calling out, “Man entering, ladies! Cover up.”

  The ladies inside look up at us funny, then exchange a knowing look and walk out quickly. Great, everyone thinks we are having a quickie. I guess that’s better than telling them I’m scared of an empty, locked stall.

  Cole walks down the row and says, “What am I checking out, chicken little?” I roll my eyes and point to the last door. “ There was a strange sound coming out of there.”

  “It’s probably just a running toilet, Mia.” He tries to push the door open, and when it doesn’t budge he goes into the stall next to it and stands o
n the toilet.

  “What are you doing, Cole?”

  “Looking to see what’s going on in there.”

  I stand, nervously waiting for him to say something. He jumps down and comes out, shaking his head with a grossed out look on his face.

  “It’s just a broken toilet. Kinda gross, but no danger, ma’am.” He gives me a wink and takes my hand.

  “I feel stupid. I am safe, we are here together for this great celebration, and I’m still freaking out about stuff that I need to put in the past.”

  “Mia, cut yourself some slack. I know that it may be hard to believe this is all over, but it is. You just have to re-adjust to relaxing and trusting that you are safe.”

  “It may be a while before I can fully relax, but I know what you mean. Let’s get out of the bathroom, before people think we are doing something we shouldn’t in here.”

  “Ha! We need to stay in here longer, I don’t want people thinking I’m this quick!” He laughs.

  We rejoin the party and mingle with the guests, enjoying congratulations and love from everyone. Cole and I decided before tonight to make our marriage date more current, for those who are not in on the real story. Neither of us wants the torment of re-telling the whole saga over and over.

  The night goes by quickly, and as the band winds down and we are saying our goodbyes, I realize that I’ve loved every moment. We should do this again every night! Everyone is genuinely happy for us and we both feel wonderful, surrounded by positive energy and good wishes. I remind myself to send a gift to my mom, to say thank you. Maybe I’ll book a spa day for us to enjoy together.

  As Cole and I walk out hand in hand, he looks around. “Did you tell them to move our car, babe?”

  “No, I was hoping you did. Ugh, my feet are killing me from these shoes. You may have to carry me around,” I say, laughing.

  “Not a chance! I saw how much food you put down tonight. You must weigh as much as a ton of bricks!” He quickly moves out of slapping distance.

  “You better move, buddy!”

  “I’ll be right back.” He winks at me as he walks away toward the valet. I wish I brought a shawl because it’s gotten breezy out; I rub my arms to ward off the shivers. The black town car pulls up in front of me and I call out to Cole before opening the door to step in.

  The next thing I know I’m being jerked sideways by two very large hands wrapped around my throat. Oh my god! The car peels out and I start flailing, kicking, and trying to scratch behind me. I can’t make any sound and can’t seem to get a grip on the person behind me. He’s cut off my air and I can feel consciousness slipping. My arms and legs start to move slowly, as if they are a thousand times heavier than normal, then my eyes start to burn from the pressure of straining to breathe. I’m dying, I can feel my life drifting away, and my solitary thought is of Cole. I remember how nervous he was on our wedding day, how we snuck away before the ceremony to say our vows to each other in private. I never told anyone about that. It was all mine and at this moment I am thankful that it’s the last thing I remember before it all goes black.

  I hear her call my name and see her being pulled into the town car. I’m running, yelling her name, and reaching for my phone all at once. I keep up halfway down the street in a sprint, but once he picks up speed I lose them quickly. Grabbing the phone from my pocket I dial Foster, panting and half-screaming. “Mia’s been taken! They just took her, Foster, right from under my fucking nose. She’s in our own car, damn it! Track it. Carter must have an accomplice who somehow passed our screening. We are going to have a chat about this, but not now. Find her, Foster. Bring her back to me. I’m counting on you.”

  “On it, but boss, Carter was bailed out by his cousin… The guy goes by the name John Williams.”

  “WHAT THE FUCK?!” I roar, “I thought my people made careful arrangements to shut down any chance of bail. This can’t be happening! I want to make this perfectly clear, Foster, and you can tell anyone who will listen. I will ruin lives if something happens to Mia. Do you understand? If I lose her again, if anything happens to her, all bets are off.”

  “We are tracking the car right now, sir. Just hang on…”

  “Great, I’m grabbing another car. Send me coordinates and I will meet you there. This is the end of this prick, do you understand me, Foster?”

  The valet guys are staring at me, not sure what to do.

  “Call the police. My wife has been kidnapped.” I snap at them. I skip panic and fear, going straight to murderous rage. I will not let him hurt her again. I promised her she’d be safe. I can’t let her down. I jump in the nearest VIP car kept up front by the valet and take off. “Where am I going, Foster?”

  “Head downtown, the car is slowing, hold on… he’s pulling into the Fairmont. Shit, boss, isn’t that where…?”

  “Yes, that’s where this nightmare began… I’m on my way. Hurry, Foster. We have to get to her.”

  This is all my fault. I didn’t protect her. well enough. Just as she was trying to feel safe again, I failed her. Dammit! Can’t think about this now. I need to keep my head in the game if there is any chance to reach her before he hurts her.

  “Team will be there momentarily, boss.”

  “I told the valet to call the police, but we find him first, Foster. Get it? We find him first.”

  “Done, sir.”

  I throw my phone on the seat and whizz around the cars, my rage growing as I get closer. I throw the car door open as I pull up to the hotel, ignoring the valet yelling at me that I cannot leave my vehicle. Busting through the entrance, I see Foster and his team speaking urgently with hotel security. Goddammit, every minute they waste talking, she is closer to harm. I shoot past them, knowing exactly where I am going. This sick fuck has brought her back here so that means he is recreating his twisted fantasy, most likely in the same room. I got there just in time to stop it last time. I have to get there again now.

  I run past the elevator banks and take the stairs three at a time. I can hear my heart pounding but I’m juiced on adrenalin. I call Foster, yelling, “Room 4301!” That’s all I get out before I reach the 4th floor. As I sprint down the hall I can hear her screaming. I throw the weight of my body into the door with every shred of my force, breaking and falling through the door frame.

  The light seeps into my eyes in flashes. I can feel my lids flutter and I wonder if I’m alive. I open my mouth and nothing comes out, I hear nothing. I can only feel the burn. It feels like hot pokers inside my throat. I cover my mouth, hoping that will make it feel better, but it doesn’t help. I look around and realize I am on a bed, cuffed and alone. I am immediately relieved that my clothes are on. I jerk my arms and feel the cut of the cuffs. I try pulling harder, thinking maybe my hand will just fucking break and I can slip it out that way, but no such luck. I’m trapped and lying here, waiting to die.

  I look around the room for something, anything that might help me defend myself, when FLASH Carter is on top of me, breathing down on my neck, holding down my limbs. Oh my God, this isn’t happening. FLASH He is ripping off my shirt while I desperately try to squirm away from him. I can’t take this, I don’t want to remember this. Carter is going to rape me and all I can see is that fucking ceiling… “Nooooooo!” I scream as tears roll down my face. I look up for help, only to recognize this ceiling is that ceiling. I’m in the room I was in the first time when Carter attacked me.

  “Fuck you, Carter!” I scream. “Fuck you!” And then, the door busts down. Holy shit is all I can think. I start pulling my arms, straining at the cuffs, and I feel them cut into my wrists. I’m flailing and twisting my body, trying to get free, barely coherent, and that’s when I see Cole stand up, looking at me. My mouth is moving but nothing comes out. My throat is on fire. Cole rushes over and examines my body as he reaches for his phone. I know he is worried that Carter has assaulted me, so I shake my head vehemently. Cole looks at me and touches my neck, and I wince. “I’m here, baby, I’m here. Foster is bringing cutters to
get those cuffs off you.”

  “Did you see where he went, sweetheart? It’s Carter, Mia. Some cousin of his made bail for him. I did everything I could to have it shut down, but my people weren’t fast enough and he got out. This is my fault, I’m so sorry.”

  I shake my head again and hug him tighter. A moment later, Foster and his crew come through what’s left of the door, accompanied by hotel security. “Boss… Carter?”

  “Not here.”

  They cut me out of the cuffs and my arms fall heavily, dead weight from being restrained. Cole pulls me to him and holds me up as my legs almost give out. Foster and his security team do a sweep of the room, and hotel security stands by while Cole helps me to my feet to leave for a hospital. Foster will stay to coordinate details and run interference. We are escorted by two others on Foster’s payroll and I notice they are both carrying as we get into the elevator.

  We’re walking out of the Fairmont when two things simultaneously happen. I lock eyes with Carter, and the police yell, “FREEZE!”

  I feel every muscle in Cole’s body tense next to me. He turns his head to look at me and glances again at my neck. I’m shaking all over, at the onset of a full- blown panic attack, and that’s when he lets go of my hand. In the next ten seconds I grab at Cole but he pushes my hands away and breaks directly for Carter. The police scream for Cole to stop, and Carter throws his arms in the air. I drop to my knees, screaming, but no sound comes out as our two bodyguards draw their weapons, making the police turn their weapons on the private security men behind me.

  In the standoff between the police and our guards (who look toward Cole and exchange a nod), nobody but me has noticed that Cole has reached Carter and is choking the life out of him. The guards put their weapons down and hold up their arms, and I realize they were only buying him some time. Cole is hammering Carter’s head into the marble floor. I can see the whites of his knuckles, he is gripping so hard. I hurriedly point out where Carter is and smack the ground so the cops will pay attention. Finally, one of the officers yells out and they all rush to pull Cole off of Carter. The first officer tries to pull Cole off and gets a swift push to the ground, then Cole returns to pounding Carter’s face with his fists.