Taken By Choice (Taken Trilogy Book 3)

by Jessica Frances

  “So we don’t do things in the correct order, that’s why we’re so great.” He rests his hands on her hips, bringing her closer to him.

  “So you want to just forget about the wedding?”

  “No, I just can’t stand the thought of divorcing you. We can keep this to ourselves and everyone else gets a proper wedding out of us.”

  “This will mean you’ll owe me three years of anniversary presents, a honeymoon I never got and a wedding night I don’t remember.” She has already given in. Real me and fake me are obviously both useless at staying mad at him.

  “Then I have a busy few months ahead of me.” He kisses her passionately and I roll my eyes at how easily she crumbles to him.

  “So, Mrs. Nichols, care to make up for that wedding night tonight?” He holds out his hand to her and I watch her eyeing the pot behind her.

  “I’m sure that will taste even better later,” he says, following her eye line.

  “I’m sure it’ll taste just as horrible later. I hoped once I was your wife I would be able to cook better, instead I’ve been your wife for three years and I’m a horrible cook.”

  “You’re not horrible and you’ve been a perfect wife. Now let me be a perfect husband and take you to our bedroom.”

  She laughs quietly, places her hand over his arm and lets him lead her down to their room. I follow, not really having a choice. I’m being pulled to follow them and I don’t know if it’s wrong to watch what is about to happen between them. Does it count as wrong if I’m seeing myself sleeping with Charlie? What about the fact that it’s fake? People have sex dreams all the time, right?

  I manage to slide into their room just as Charlie closes the door.

  I see her shoot a look at him when he closes the door loudly and she places her fingers up to her lips. It’s too late, though, I hear crying from another room and the disappointment on Charlie’s face is enough to make me feel bad for him.

  “You broke her, you bought her.” She pushes him out the door and he groans as he walks across the hallway and opens the door. A night light is on and I vaguely make out a small child sitting up on a bed. Charlie moves over to her and picks her up. I watch wistfully as he cradles her in his arms and dances around the room, trying to lull her back to sleep.

  The fake me has already disappeared down the hall, but I stay, watching Charlie. Something in the pit of my stomach feels broken seeing him with our child. This fantasy is breaking my heart, so I pull away and soon the dream fades as I leave them behind.

  I wake with a start and take several deep breaths, trying to calm myself.

  “You okay?” Charlie is leaning over me and I realize he is the reason I woke up.

  “Charlie?”

  “Yeah, it’s me.” He sits down next to me on our bed and I sit up, touching my hand to his cheek. My dream slams into me and I feel like I want to cry. That fake future I keep seeing is never going to happen. We won’t ever get the chance to get married, let alone accidently get married. What I saw is ridiculous, but I hate that we can’t have it. Why does my head have to keep torturing me with these fake dreams? Why can’t I just be left alone?

  “What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” Charlie is concerned now. He lifts my chin up so he can take a good look into my eyes.

  “I can’t remember my dream,” I lie, letting my eyes roam over him. “Are you okay? Where did they take you?”

  He sighs. “I don’t know. I was put in the back of a darkened van and we drove for maybe an hour before I was let out. Nothing looked familiar. We could be anywhere.”

  “They didn’t hurt you?”

  “No, they just ran the same old tests.”

  I nod, letting the fact that Charlie is okay sink in. “What time is it?”

  “Time for dinner. Where were you earlier? Did you go searching this place? You promised me you wouldn’t.”

  “I didn’t. Rose and Martha got in a fight, and Rose got hurt. I was with her in medical.”

  Anger flashes in his eyes. “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, just a bloody nose and a couple bruises. She didn’t seem that shaken up over it.”

  “So Martha hit her? What the fuck?” Charlie demands, his hands fisting into balls.

  “I know. We need to get out of here. Rose did have some luck in that department, she’s going to tell you and Will over dinner. Come on, we should go.”

  “I don’t want you left alone with Martha. If she asks to see you, say no.”

  “I don’t think we really get a choice,” I say as I stand up, stretching.

  “I won’t allow it. You’re unprotected when you’re alone with her. Drew said we shouldn’t be left alone with her, maybe this is what he meant.”

  “Let’s not get into this now. Let’s just go to dinner and hear Rose out.”

  He nods, taking my hand as I finish stretching my back out.

  “Isn’t this mine?” he asks, touching the oversized sweater I’m wearing with his free hand, moving around to stand in front of me.

  “I missed you, and this smelled like you, so…” I shrug, smiling as he appears to take delight in that comment.

  “Well, I look forward to taking it off you later,” he teases, kissing me deeply and passionately to the point where my knees almost give out. It takes every bit of willpower I have to walk out of the door when he opens it for me.

  I take his hand and walk down the hallway, letting my mind drift to what our future will hold here. Will we be able to pull off this escape successfully? Or will this fail? Are we going to be stuck here forever?

  Chapter 12 – THE GHOSTS

  March 17th

  It’s been two weeks since Martha spoke to Rose last. It’s actually been two weeks since any of us have seen her. When I was first placed here she told me I would have to speak to her regularly. I’ve been here nearly three weeks and have not spoken to anyone. I’ve seen Stan several times throughout training, always watchful. It causes spasms of fear to shoot through me and I wish he would disappear.

  Not that any of that matters, we’re not ready to break out of here yet. Our plan hit another problem. We haven’t been able to locate a power box. Obviously there is one here somewhere, but it is in a place we haven’t been able to gain access to. It means we’ll either need Charlie to cause a blackout with the ability to turn it back on for Rose, or better still, be able to focus what he is cutting off and leave the computers alone.

  Unfortunately, Charlie has yet to have any progress on his blackouts. For the past two weeks he has been taken away most days to work on it, and each time he returns he is more frustrated than the day before. They haven’t been able to crack how to control it. I fear that they’ll start to get desperate and begin to hurt him. My one piece of progress came from Doctor Pratt. She informed me that my blood work confirmed that I’m not pregnant. She also kept her word and hasn’t breathed what happened to anyone. She might be able to be trusted.

  Although we train in groups, Ethan is always around. I can see the friendship more clearly between him and Charlie; they’re both similar. It’s good to see him laughing.

  We’re in the second floor gym when my stomach drops and I feel nervous. It’s already late afternoon and we’ve been training hard all day. Not only did we have to run the circuit more times than I can count, but Shane put our group in the gym to workout. I feel like I’ve done nothing more than run all day.

  The weights are the worst. I have no upper body strength, and when Shane isn’t hassling me about it, Ethan is. He’s become my own personal trainer from Hell. I’ve even complained to Charlie about him, hoping he might encourage Ethan to let up on me. Instead, he agrees with Ethan. The stronger and fitter I am, the better I can protect myself. I know I could say I feel uncomfortable around Ethan, maybe even make something up like he hurt me to get Charlie on my side, but I can’t do that. Not only would I hate lying to Charlie like that, it would also be unfair to Ethan. I also don’t want to wreck their bromance. Charlie has another frie
nd, which is rare in this situation.

  How exhausted my body is right now might explain my nerves and stomach discomfort, however I know it’s something more that’s causing me to feel this way.

  I watch Stan stalk into the gym, talking quietly with Shane. Behind him are the other two trainers; they stand watching over us, dutifully waiting. I search around for the others as Stan speaks to get our attention.

  “Gather around,” he calls out.

  Dread is now pulsing through me.

  I quickly find Charlie in the crowd already standing by Will then I find Rose a few people away. I reach out and grab her arm, dragging her closer to me.

  “Hey!” she cries out in surprise.

  “Something is about to happen, something not good,” I whisper to them, sending them all on high alert. We’re towards the middle of the small crowd and I wish we could be closer to a door. I have a feeling we might need to make a quick exit.

  “I have been impressed with your progress so far. I know we will be able to succeed in the many missions ahead of us. Some of you have already received your orders, and given that, I have asked some of my closest friends to help out with your training.” Another spasm of fear hits me. “All have served with me and some of you may even recognize them. I expect you to give them the same respect you have given me, and listen to them. They have experience you may need. Most importantly, they have survived to be here today.”

  Stan looks somber. I notice many of the soldiers around us hang their heads in respect for women and men lost in the line of duty. “Thank you. You may go back to your training.” Stan dismisses us as several people walk in. I try to take in the men and women entering the gym, noticing some are older while two are closer to our age. They all look incredibly fit.

  Stan is watching us carefully as the crowd around us disperses. I don’t understand what he is waiting for. I don’t know any of these people.

  Will gasps next to me. When I see his face, I have to do a double-take. He’s pale and beads of sweat glisten over his forehead. It’s the first time I’ve seen him look truly petrified; maybe even the first time I’ve seen him sweat, other than when he was shot four times.

  “Will, what is it?”

  “My uncle…” Will nods his head and I follow until my eyes land on a man who is grinning madly at Will. His face is pale and his eyes have sunken inwards, giving him sharp cheekbones. His grin looks like one you might see on a serial killer; gleeful, yet slightly mad.

  Will’s reaction to seeing him puts me on edge. I know Will lived on the streets, and now I suspect this man might be a reason for that.

  “Are you okay?” I ask, my eyes watching Will’s uncle approach. I reach out and grab Charlie’s arm to get his attention.

  “No,” Will whispers to me.

  “We won’t leave you,” I promise, finally getting Charlie’s attention before stepping closer to Will. Charlie doesn’t take long to assess the situation and he moves closer, too.

  I catch Rose’s eyes. She appears angry, coming perhaps to the same conclusion I have.

  Will’s uncle stands in front of us, smirking as he evaluates Will. His lips are turned upwards, and although he doesn’t look unfit, he also doesn’t look all that well. He looks like he might be the oldest one here with his face set in determination. I immediately can tell he’s an angry guy, and I instinctively dislike him.

  “Well, if it isn’t my favorite nephew.” He narrows his eyes at Will, not bothering to glance at us.

  Will keeps his eyes low while I think I see a shudder run over him. I feel a protective wave hit me and I only just resist stepping in front of him.

  “Hi, I’m Rose.” Rose doesn’t step in front of Will, but she does step directly in front of his uncle, blocking his view of Will. She holds out her hand to him and her other hand by her side is fisted, no doubt ready to strike.

  “Did I ask to speak to you, girl?” Will’s uncle snaps at Rose angrily.

  “Honestly, I’m not really sure. You smell so badly of alcohol that I can’t remember what you said. Bit early to be drunk, isn’t it, sir?” she snaps back, not an ounce of fear in her voice.

  Will winces beside me. I see him leaning forward, almost as if he wants to move towards Rose, but his feet won’t let him.

  “Well, you must have something wrong with your hearing because you were just told to treat me with respect and to do as I say. So get the fuck away from me now.”

  “Actually, Stan told us to treat you all with the same respect as we give him. I have zero respect for him, so I’m giving you the same. I also don’t do what I’m told, so how about you get the fuck away from us.” She steps even closer now and Will springs into action.

  He reaches Rose just as his uncle tries to strike her. She is ready for him, blocking his punch before Will then pushes her to the side.

  “Leave her alone.” He shoves his uncle, only causing a smile from him. Already his anger at Rose has disappeared from his face.

  “So you can speak. Have you missed me?” He laughs at Will as Will’s shoulders go taut. Ethan steps up to us and next to Rose, sensing something is up here.

  “No.”

  “Really? Not even just a little bit?”

  “Why are you here?”

  “Because I’m here to train you, again.”

  “Again? You never trained me before, you only…” He drifts off and his uncle laughs.

  “I only what? Beat you? Well, I’m beginning to realize I had it wrong. I thought I could get you to fight back if I hurt you. I see that isn’t the way to go now.”

  “You beat him?” Rose growls and Ethan only barely manages to grab her in time before she can charge at him.

  Will’s head drops down and I know it’s true. This is the reason he ran away, this is the reason he is the way he is around new people, adults especially.

  “Stan knew what you were doing to him?” I ask, horrified. I thought the knowledge that Stan had known Will was on the street had been the worst treatment and injustice for Will. Now, to realize he had known he was being beaten at home; had put the man who was doing that in his home...

  Will’s uncle glances at me, his eyes narrowing over me. “I read Will’s file from The Windmill. He fought off several guards at one point, even started a fight, and over a girl. You Holloway?” he questions me.

  From next to me Charlie steps closer to me and Will’s head bounces back up.

  “My name is Zoe.” I’m fearful of his response to that.

  When he smiles at me, it gives me the creeps. “Nice to meet you. I think I might be able to use you for my training.”

  “I thought you were going to train me?” Will steps to the side and back, standing in front of me now.

  “I am, and I know I can’t do that when it’s just the two of us.”

  “You’re going to make me fight Zoe?” he quietly asks.

  “No, I already can tell you won’t hurt her, and she looks weak. It wouldn’t be much of a fight.” He dismisses me instantly.

  “Then what?”

  “I think it’ll be more fun to hurt her in front of you,” he sneers and, before anyone can react, he pushes Will to the ground and rushes for me. Charlie pulls me behind him, blocks one punch to his jaw and then receives a jab to his side. He shoots forward in pain and then Will’s uncle punches him hard in the face. Blood pours out of his nose and Charlie falls to the ground in shock.

  All of this happens in only seconds and I can barely take it in before he steps towards me again. That is when Rose gets to him and he shrugs her off in time for Will to run into him. They both fall to the ground hard. He barely grunts when his uncle hits him hard in his stomach. He keeps him pinned to the ground.

  “Come on, Will; if you don’t stop me,then I’ll just keep going after her. I’ll beat her worse than I ever—”

  Will snarls angrily at his uncle and then lifts him up by the scruff of his shirt and head-butts him. I hear a sickening crunch, but he doesn’t stop. He then pun
ches and kicks. The sick thing is that his uncle merely laughs and smiles through it. He doesn’t fight back, he doesn’t try to stop Will. No one does until Rose and Ethan pull him off his uncle.

  By this stage, Will’s hands are bruised and bloody and his uncle is on the ground, clearly unable to get up. A circle has formed around us and Stan breaks through, watching over the scene. Charlie’s on the ground with me by his side while Rose and Ethan hold back Will who looks angrier than I’ve ever seen him. In fact, he looks as if he’s seething.

  “Good to see you’ve still got it, old friend.” Stan moves over to Will’s uncle and laughs when he holds out his hand and then pulls him up. Will’s uncle winces in pain, but he mostly looks happy.

  “I knew I could still get to him. Finally, some progress.” He breathes out his words, making me think he might have damaged a lung or at least some ribs.

  Two men move over to help him leave and quickly the crowd disperses. Will shrugs off Rose and Ethan, quickly rushing off. I want to go after him, but I also don’t want to leave Charlie, therefore I’m grateful when Rose takes off after him. I hope she can make sure he is all right.

  “Are you okay?” I ask Charlie, finally able to tear my eyes off the scene in front of me and take in his bloodied nose. Seeing so much blood makes me wince, but I refuse to see the image of Dana that wants to overtake my vision.

  “I think he fucking broke my nose,” he whines, his words coming out muffled.

  “That was some hit you took.” Ethan whistles when he makes it over to us, shaking his head at Charlie. I help him stand, but when he leans down heavily on me I struggle to keep us up.

  A man I don’t recognize steps up to us and laughs as soon as he sees Charlie. “Nice to see I’m not the only person who wants to rip your head off all the time.”

  “Adam?” Charlie’s arm tightens around me. I’m not sure if his voice is supposed to sound wary, since he still sounds nasally. He takes a deep swallow and from the face he pulls afterwards I imagine he just swallowed a lot of blood. My stomach churns at the thought.

  “That’s right Char-wee. The one and only.” When he smirks at him, I assume this must be someone from Charlie’s past. He is one of the younger men Stan brought in.