Taken By Choice (Taken Trilogy Book 3)

by Jessica Frances

  When I’m saved from more talking from Anna by a knock at the door, I assume it’s Mom. She has been thrilled to plan this wedding and, thankfully, she has been accommodating to most of my wishes. The tent idea wasn’t something she loved, but she organized it anyway. Dean was also someone she didn’t love, but she hasn’t questioned it. I think she’s just happy I’m home and alive.

  Dean won over my brothers instantly. I think he might have even charmed Dad. They paid for everything, which is something Dean hasn’t wanted. He wanted to wait a year and save up our money. I think he sees this as being a handout. I made a promise to Zoe to have this wedding sooner rather than later, though, and I’m not going to go back on it. Besides, we would have needed to save for ten years to afford this wedding. My parents were happy to spend it and I like the idea that we can save for our honeymoon instead.

  “I don’t know who you are, but Rose is busy and she can’t see anyone right now. Get lost,” Anna shoos whoever it is away. I think back to earlier in the day when a man had tried to talk to me. He claimed to be from the government and wanted to set up a meeting so I can give a statement or something. Anna had thankfully gotten rid of him, too. Is he back again for more?

  “Who?” Anna has her arms crossed over her chest now, and I can tell without seeing her face that she is glaring at the person, yet she has the door mostly closed and I can’t see who is there. I stand up, wishing that it could be Dean at the door and not whoever it is.

  “Do you want me to call security on you? I said, get lost.” Anna looks at me carefully and mouths “nut job” to me while rolling her eyes.

  “Who is it?” I make it to the door and open it up fully.

  Waiting for me is someone I never expected to see again.

  “Will?” I gasp, rushing forward and hugging him so hard my arms hurt. I quickly move away to double check it really is him, taking in his hardened features. He’s grown again and he towers over me now.

  “Hey, sorry to just barge in on your wedding day,but—”

  “How are you alive?” I demand, cutting him off. I poke him hard in the chest and then grab his arm and squeeze. There is definitely someone there, not a ghost.

  “Rose, do you want me to call security?” Anna sounds uncertain now.

  “Get Dean and Charlie here, now.”

  “But—”

  “Now!” I yell harshly as I drag Will into the dressing room and out of the hallway. “Spill,” I demand.

  “Shouldn’t I wait for the others to get here?”

  I nod, hoping the others hurry. Then, I quickly ask one quick question that I can’t wait for. “Zoe?” I try not to get my hopes up, but my eyes drift around the room even though I know we’re in here alone.

  “She’s alive, so is Blake.”

  “They’re with you?” I take a seat on the couch, my legs unable to support myself.

  “No, we split up. She’ll be here, though, they both will.”

  “What’s going on?” Dean walks into the room then stops short upon eyeing Will and Charlie bumps into him, not expecting him to stop so suddenly. He doesn’t manage to verbalize any complaint though as his eyes rest on Will.

  “Will?” He rushes passed Dean and grabs hold of Will’s arms. I see his fingers squeeze into him like I had, making sure he’s real.

  “Hi,guys. Sorry this is—”

  Charlie surprises Will, cutting him off, by giving him a hug. I smile, watching them and find my feet, standing to move next to Dean who takes my hand.

  “Zoe?” Charlie pulls away and gives him a hard stare. I already see the hope building inside of him. I smile, waiting for Will to give him the good news.

  “Alive, we all are.”

  “Where is she?” Charlie eyes the room just like I had done earlier.

  “We spilt up; she’s not here yet.”

  “What do you mean you split up? What happened? We thought you died in the fire?”

  “That’s what you were meant to believe.” Will takes a deep breath, looking stressed. “They faked our deaths so that you wouldn’t look for us.”

  “They let us go? Why?” I ask.

  Will’s cheeks redden. “They decided they could get by without you, and it ensured we behaved.”

  “So how are you here now? They let you go?”

  “I’m surprised you haven’t heard it, we’ve made the news. We escaped and took a bunch of sensitive information with us then leaked it to the press.”

  “Wow.” I try to swallow, but my mouth is stuck open. I did hear some rumblings, but I try not to take much notice of that stuff. It gets me too mad. “So you’re all right? Zoe is all right?” I say, squeezing Dean’s hand hard.

  “Yeah, I mean, we didn’t have the best time getting out of there,” he says hesitantly and he gently touches his chest.

  “Meaning?”

  Will hesitates again. I see what I think is shame cross his face. “Meaning Corby tried to stop us. Zoe went through a lot. I wasn’t there for her, I’m sorry.” Will drops his head and I watch Charlie trying to take Will’s words in.

  “I’m sure you had a good reason for that, don’t you, Will?” I say, knowing Will wouldn’t abandon Zoe unless he had no choice.

  “I died actually.”

  “What?” I gasp, sure I have heard him wrong.

  “Corby shot me. I didn’t see it coming. I was out for the whole thing. The guys swear I had no pulse, they gave up on me. Zoe didn’t. They said she was yelling at me to wake up.”

  “Oh, my God,” I cry, rushing forward again to hug Will. They’ve both been through so much and here I thought we had it worse being left behind. I thought us dealing with the fallout of their deaths was the worst. I had no idea.

  “I am going to kill Corby,” Charlie growls. I don’t need to turn around to see the fury over his face. I can hear it in his voice.

  “No need; he’s dead.”

  “He is?” I sigh, relieved that he can no longer torment Zoe or Will. I lean away from him, stepping back so I can watch him carefully.

  “Yeah, Stan and Martha, too. Get this, Stan was about to shoot Zoe dead, and Ocean saved her life. I guess that good feeling she had about him was legit.” As Will gives Charlie a small smile, I glance over at him to see he’s shocked. So am I.

  “Stan was going to kill Zoe?”

  “Yeah, this was the part I was out for. Zoe didn’t really want to talk about it. She spent a lot of the time afterwards crying. Whatever happened between her and Corby—I don’t know—but it was messed up. She mentioned to me that he killed Martha, like what the hell, right? Then Ocean found Corby dead, Zoe was a mess and Stan was holding a gun at her about to shoot.”

  “Fuck,” When Charlie growls again, this time he kicks the chair I had been using to sit in front of the mirror to apply my makeup. Dean stands next to him quickly, grabbing his arm before he trashes the room.

  “It gets worse. Just before this all happened, her and Mac saw Stan kill Frank.”

  “Where is she now?” Charlie demands.

  “We split up after we got to D.C.. We delivered the information that needed to be leaked and then she dropped me off at the bus station. I went to Ohio, and she went to Boston to see her mom. We were meant to meet back up here. She knew about your wedding because of her dreams.”

  Charlie pulls out his cell phone and immediately moves his fingers over it, no doubt to call Zoe’s mom.

  His conversation is quick, and from the shake in his voice I know she just confirmed Zoe is alive. He soon hangs up from her, telling us Zoe left on a plane last night to come here. There is worry in his voice, but I can hear his excitement, too. None of us thought this would be possible, none of us even dreamed this could happen. We were all completely fooled into believing they had been killed.

  “I need to find her.” Charlie pushes passed Dean, but I quickly block his path.

  “Zoe is coming here, so we should wait here for her,” I say carefully, not wanting to fight with him. Not today.
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  “Rose is right; let’s get married.” Dean grabs my hand again and squeezes it tightly, leaning down to kiss me.

  “Wait! You can’t kiss her now, you’ll ruin her makeup. Save it for the vows.” Anna manages to pop her head back in at the right moment and catches Dean’s almost kiss. She appears to not have let my snapping at her affect her too much. Already she’s got back some of her attitude.

  “You can’t be—”

  “Get down to that tent and be Dean’s best man, Charlie,” I growl. “Will, you go down with them.”

  “I brought a couple of friends…” Will looks embarrassed again.

  “They’re more than welcome. I’m so happy you’re okay. We’ve missed you so much.” I ignore his red cheeks and again embrace him in a hug. I fear this is a dream and soon I’ll wake up to find Will isn’t really here.

  “I missed you guys, too,” Will mumbles, although I barely hear what he says.

  “Come on then.” Dean slaps Will on the back and has to drag Charlie out by the arm.

  I’m reeling from the news when Anna opens her mouth to say something, but is interrupted by Dad barging in.

  “What is the holdup, Rosie? We’re all waiting for you.” Dad looks fit and healthy in his suit. I smile lovingly at him. Since I was gone he’s slim and fit. Mom kept him on his diet and she told me once that he poured all his grief into exercising.

  “Let me guess, you’ve got all your calls on hold until after the ceremony?” I joke, taking his extended arm and linking it in mine.

  “I told the office I was off for the whole weekend. I don’t want to miss a single moment of my baby girl getting married.” Dad places his hand protectively over mine.

  I smile up at him and my breath catches when our eyes meet.

  “I’m so proud of you, Rosie. You’ve blossomed into such a beautiful and strong woman.”

  “Dad…” I dab at my eyes, hoping to stop my tears before they escape.

  “I love you. Now, let’s go give you away.”

  Dad walks me outside to the tent where I hear music softly playing. Anna waits for us to be ready and then she walks down the aisle slowly. I see the boys down at the end, and my eyes catch Dean’s. He looks so handsome, so delicious in his tux. I can’t wait to be standing with him, can’t wait to become his wife.

  “Ready?” Dad asks me, and I nod, tears already forming in my eyes. I turn away from Dean and stare at Dad, seeing love in his eyes. I have his full attention, and I know after what happened he isn’t ever going to take me for granted again. He is prepared to make me a priority in his life.

  “I love you, too, Daddy.” I hold back tears again when Dad leans down and gives me a kiss on my cheek. Then he pats my hand and, after Anna has made it to the end, standing opposite the boys, we make our way forward, too.

  CHARLIE NICHOLS

  Chapter 30 – THE WISH

  June 8th

  I stand next to Dean, looking eagerly out into the crowd. The sun is starting to get low and, as it does, it casts shadows over the crowd already standing in front of us. Rose opted to not have seating and I curse her for her choice. It’s easier for people to remain hidden this way. Zoe could already be here right now and because she’s so short, I can’t see her.

  Music plays and I’m vaguely aware Anne, or Anna, is walking slowly down the aisle in the cringe worthy pink dress. It meant I have to wear a stupid pink handkerchief in my pocket to match her, and a pink tie, however nothing matters to me other than finding Zoe. Is she here right now? Is she watching us?

  I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that she is alive. For the past two months I’ve thought she was dead. Part of me is really angry that I’ve been through hell believing she was gone, but excitement bubbles in my stomach, fighting away the anger. I know it isn’t gone, but right now I am dying to see her with my own eyes, to touch her soft skin and feel her in my arms. My body is craving her and I hate that I’m expected to stand still and watch a wedding I really couldn’t care less about.

  “So beautiful,” Dean mutters. I turn to look at him, seeing his smile brighten and his face light up when his gaze rests on Rose. I look over, too, and see how beautiful she is. Her smile is the biggest I’ve seen in a long time and I feel bad that I’ve given her such a hard time lately. I’ll have to find a way to make it up to her and Dean.

  As she walks gracefully towards us, her eyes are locked with Dean’s, my mind drifts to Zoe wearing a wedding dress and only having eyes for me. My heart pulls at the thought and I again search for her in the crowd. I’ve never imagined myself getting married and, even when I was with Zoe, the thought never crossed my mind. Now, the thought of her wearing a wedding dress and looking so beautiful in it is burned into my brain and I know one day I hope to be able to call her my wife. She is everything to me and losing her again is unacceptable. As soon as I find her I won’t ever let her go.

  My eyes catch Drew’s as Rose stands in front of Dean and he takes her hands in his. When Drew shakes his head at me then his eyes continue to roam around him, I’m disappointed that he hasn’t seen her. I try to force myself to look to the side and at Rose. I catch Anne, or Anna’s, eyes and she is crying. So is Rose.

  The music stops and I vaguely listen to them say their vows, which they have written themselves.

  Dean’s voice shakes with nerves. “Rose Bianca Montgomery, I vow to love you for all eternity, to hold and cherish you. I promise to never stop looking for you and to protect you from any harm. You are my best friend and my soul mate. I will treasure every day I get to spend with you and treat it like a special gift. I promise to never take our time together for granted, and I promise to cook us dinner so we eat something other than pasta.”

  The crowd and Rose laugh.

  “I promise to be your one and only, forever.” Dean’s vows bring more tears to Rose’s eyes, and I notice several sniffs throughout the crowd. It’s Rose’s turn to speak next and I hear the shake in her voice from nerves and emotions trying to take hold of her.

  “Dean Keith Johnson, I promise to let you cook for us without complaint.” More laughs. “I promise to love you, to never take you or our love for granted. I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together. You are my best friend, my love and my family. I vow to you that I will fight for you, and maybe occasionally with you,” more laughter, “but always with love in my heart.”

  With the vows done, they’re told to kiss and the crowd cheers as he wraps her in his arms. They then both laugh and smile, looking into each other’s eyes. I clap my hands and shake Dean’s hand warmly when he turns and slaps my back.

  “Congratulations, man.” I smile happily at him. I’m surprised when Rose steps forward and envelopes me in a hug.

  “Congratulations, Rose,” I whisper in her ear, feeling love towards her and Dean.

  “Thank you for proving me wrong. Now go find her,” Rose whispers back and then she pulls away and gives me a stern look, broken quickly by a smile when her parents rush forward to give her their love.

  I step away from the crowd and look for Zoe. I still can’t see her and I can’t see Drew, either. I let my eyes dart randomly from place to place, but I can’t see either of them. Outside, the sun is about to set and the photographer is urging Rose and Dean out of the swarming crowd to take more photos. We have already been through many of them before the wedding started, and now he wants more. Thankfully, they don’t seem to need me in these ones as I briefly watch them walk outside the open tent and towards the garden with Dean’s arm wrapped protectively around Rose.

  I scan the crowd again for a sign of Zoe or Drew. He must have found her, why else has he disappeared?

  Will finds me in the crowd as does Blake, and I shake his hand. I’ve never actually met him, but Zoe mentioned he helped them and saved her life, so I feel gratitude towards him.

  “Thank you for helping Zoe, she told me about The Core,” I say to him.

  “She’s a good person, she didn’t deserv
e what happened,” Blake replies softly. It makes me even more anxious to see her.

  “So you came here alone?” Will asks Blake. I notice he appears to be upset about something.

  “Yeah, I didn’t end up having a date after all.” He sounds sad.

  I tune out of their conversation then, using all my energy to search for Zoe.

  “She’ll be here,” Will assures me, bringing me back to the conversation. I watch his hand taking hold of a girl I hadn’t noticed earlier. I assume he brought her along with him.

  “Who? Zoe? She’s already here,” Blake says calmly.

  “What? Where?” I demand, only just resisting grabbing hold of his jacket and shaking the information out of him. How could he have held this back from me? Those should have been the first words he spoke.

  “Over there.” Blake points to the tent entrance where Rose and Dean exited earlier. I squint, taking a few steps forwards and then I see her. She’s hugging Rose while talking energetically. Drew is next to her, his face covered in tears.

  I move forward and out of the tent, watching Zoe rush into Drew’s waiting arms once Rose lets go of her. I see they’re both crying now and, as she pulls away from him slowly, she places both of her hands on either side of his face. She is muttering something to him and he is slowly nodding, listening to her every word. I don’t need to hear what is being said to know it’s about Dana.

  I slow my approach as I get closer, only just managing to fight the urge to rush over to her and pull her into my arms. She needs this conversation with Drew as much as he does. I eye her carefully, trying to commit to memory every inch of her, trying to think of everything I have wanted to say to her for the past two months.

  Finally, she finishes what she needs to say to Drew and wipes away at her tears. She glances back over to Rose and then follows Rose’s gaze to me. I watch her face light up and I smile, knowing that soon my lips will be on hers. More tears flood her eyes and she whispers my name. It pulls at my heartstrings. I never thought I would hear her voice again.