Page 18 of Princess Seeks Dragon
***
AFTER A LONG, HOT BATHin the way too big for one person tub and raiding the basket of snacks the motel left out (I don’t see a sign saying how much I’m going to be charged, so I assume they’re free), I open my laptop and connect it to the internet using the guest password posted above the nightstand.
My head feels clearer, even though my eyes and feet are puffier. I’ll get in touch with Mom via email and tell her not to find me. Tell her to keep it a secret. Can I do that? Can they trace my location through an email? I mean, you can send an email from anywhere with internet, right?
I chew my lip and open my email, breath catching when an email from my mother is sitting right at the top, simply labeled “Hi Honey.”
My insides freeze. I was stupid to leave her behind, wasn’t I? What if they’re forcing her to send this email? What if...
I open it and read it a few times, confused, and then hopeful.
Sweetie, Ronnie told me everything. You were right to leave. Joey Genovese is furious and thinks this is some kind of power play. I can’t say much here, but big shake-ups are coming, and I might not be able to get in touch for a while.
I’m going to tell you three things, and I want you to promise to do them.
If you’re safe, write me back and sayOkay, Mom. Tell me the name of grandma’s cat in the subject line of the email so I know you’re really safe. Based on how furious Joey is, I know he doesn’t have you. I think you ran off. Now that I know what I know, I’m glad you did.
After that email, give me a month before you try to get in touch. I will reach out first, but it may not be from this email. That’s all I can say.
Take precautions. Stay in safe places with witnesses around you. Genovese has bad, bad men in his operation and he’s not all there up top. Don’t underestimate him. That can make him more dangerous. He’s looking for you. Tell the local police you need protection.
I’m so sorry all this happened, Angie. I should have seen the signs, but I turned a blind eye because I was in love and I was happy. For the first time, I didn’t have to worry about money or giving you the lifestyle you deserved, my sweet little princess. I could finally offer you a happy fairytale life after we were stuck in the cinders for so long. Ronnie’s sorry, too. No matter what he’s done, I believe he has a good heart, and he’s on our side with this.
We’ll be together soon. I promise.
Love, Mom
With blurry eyes and shaking fingers, I type in Murgatroyd, the name of my grandmother’s stubborn old tabby, and write my note back.
Okay, Mom. I love you. Stay safe, too.
Flopping back on the bed, I close my laptop and slide it to the side.
Bad men are looking for me?
Well, yeah, I thought that might happen.
Tell the local police. Stay where there are witnesses...
At least a real princess has knights and a tall tower to protect her from the bad guys. I have a pregnant vet student and her overgrown husband, who makes weapons to sell at a flea market.
Hm. Maybe that’s not a bad place to start.
