One Year Later
The one-hundred-eighty-foot yacht glided through Boston Harbor, its wake rippling the water’s surface. The August sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky a canvas of amber, gold, and deep blue.
My heart fluttered with nervous excitement as I stood on the stern, the humid air kissing my skin, as I prepared to marry one of the most passionate, loving, and kind men in the world. Brian had shown me what true love was—tender, deep, and real.
I was overwhelmed by how far I’d come. Fifteen years ago, I walked out of my father’s house and into a sex-trafficking ring. Eleven years ago, I was a batter, bruised, and broken girl escaping the stronghold of a monster. After my escape, I struggled to find peace and a sense of purpose, fearing my past would one day repeat itself. One year ago, I was once again a kidnapping victim being rescued by the man I’d had a crush on since I was twelve. And now… Now, I was a bride.
“Ready?” Andie, my maid of honor, squeezed my hand.
She was in her sophomore year at BU, counseling incoming freshmen about the dangers of frat parties and how to protect themselves. After working with Kelton Maxwell, my lawyer, Andie had helped solve the mystery of who at Omega House slipped the date rape drug into girls’ drinks—thanks in part to Carl Dixon, the very asshole who tried to rape her. He straightened up and finally gave Andie a heartfelt apology. His father sent him to counseling, which I guessed had helped.
Andie fixed the sapphire pendant around my neck. “This gem is so beautiful. I want to meet a man like Brian one day.”
“You will, my friend.” I inhaled deeply, fingering the sapphire my soon-to-be husband had given me as a token of his love. He’d picked it because blue was also the color for human trafficking awareness, symbolizing hope and freedom.
“I guess it’s time,” she said. “Here comes Duke.”
My brother strode out of the cabin dressed in a tuxedo, brown hair styled, chestnut eyes dancing with happiness, and grinning like he couldn’t contain himself. “Sis, you are absolutely beautiful in that dress.”
I’d found a white strapless satin corset dress with royal blue trim around the top of the bust, the bottom edges, and train.
“You’re making me blush, brother.”
“I couldn’t be happier that you are marrying my best friend.”
“You’re going to make me cry.”
“Why?”
“Our family has been through so much, and I love Dillon and Denim, but you’ve been like a dad to me all my life. I know we had our moments, but if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be standing here today. Even when I was held captive, I would think of you and what you would do or say. So, in a way, you helped me push through for those four years.”
His eyes were moist. “Thank you for telling me. I’ve only ever wanted the best for you, sis. My guilt was rough on both of us,and for that I’m sorry. Now, let’s get you married. Brian is beside himself with nerves.”
“Any pain in his chest?” The last thing I wanted was for Brian to have a panic attack.
Not long after Fran and I had been rescued, Brian underwent a complete physical. He wanted to make sure his panic attacks while Fran and I had been missing hadn’t been caused by anything serious, and the great news was he was as healthy as an ox. Still, Brian had experienced a couple more panic attacks, mainly due to worry over Fran. After all, she was not behind a security fence at Oakwood Academy anymore.
“No, he’s fine. Just chomping at the bit to marry you.” Duke stuck out his elbow. “Shall we?”
I held on to him, trembling, feeling as nervous as he said Brian was.
“It’s my honor to walk you down the aisle,” Duke said, as the band began to play “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts.
I picked the song because it resonated so well with my journey.
Duke and I followed my bridesmaids—Fran, Brittany, and Andie—as we crossed the deck, which had been transformed into an ethereal setting featuring warm string lights that created a canopy overhead.
Guests were seated at tables scattered around the cabin. The color scheme tonight was white, blue, and black. The wedding party wore blue dresses and black tuxedos with blue bow ties. The flowers were a mixture of blue and white, and all guests had been given blue ribbons to pin on their outfits.
Brian stood at the makeshift altar, staring in my direction as though I were the only person in the room. Goose bumps popped up on my arms as I zeroed in on his eyes that reminded me of rich green cypress leaves at dusk, dark and captivating.
Duke covered his hand over mine. “Breathe, sis.”
“I’m trying,” I whispered, smiling at guests seated around tables in chairs adorned with small blue awareness ribbons, a reminder of the cause that shaped my life and would continue to do so well into the future.
Tears were ready to pour out. The song was gutting me, but I also felt free for the first time in forever. On top of that, seeing Eve, the redhead who’d been next to me in that cage in the barn, made my heart sore. She and Fran were good friends now.
Fran had graduated a year early from high school this past spring and was about to embark on her college journey at Harvard. On top of that, she and Ryan Montgomery had built a strong relationship, and Brian had taken Ryan under his wing to help him and his mother in any way he could.
