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Charming:

Alternate ending, Sleeping Beauty should have stayed asleep. The prince should never have kissed her.

Well, if that isn’t a blow to my already-shattered heart…

I don’t care, though. I’m not going to let his words deter me. He loves me. The fact he came, the fact he wanted to meet up with me means he loves me. I just need to get the love to outshine the hate. I can do it. He’ll come around.

Me:

Fairy tales aren’t real. You and me, that’s real.

He reads my message but doesn’t respond. I don’t bother to send any more either. I’ll wait. Until I’m at school, and that’s when I’ll message him again. First I need to shower, change, and eat.

I’m about to leave the house, eager to get to school, when the voices coming from my dad’s office stop me. They’re yelling. My dad and uncles. Something’s wrong. They’re usually so calm.

I tiptoe towards the door—frankly, I’m surprised there are no soldiers standing in the hall to stop me. I don’t even need to press my ear against the wall. I can hear them clear as day.

“What do you mean the whole container is gone?” my dad asks.

“Exactly that. They took the whole fucking thing. We lost four men. Six wounded,” Zio Theo says.

“Got it.” Zio Romeo’s voice booms out, almost like he’s excited.

“Who?” That growl comes from Zio Theo again. He’s mad. I could almost imagine the little vein in his forehead popping.

“Fucking O’Malley,” Zio Romeo says, and my stomach drops.No…

“The Irish?” my dad questions.

“You know any other O’Malleys?” Zio Romeo replies.

“They’re dead. I want my fucking container back and I want their heads rolling down the fucking streets!” Zio Theo yells.

Shit. No.My hands shake as I run out of the house.Think! I need to think. This isn’t happening. This can’t be real.My family is going to go after Connor’s. They’re going afterConnor.

“Fuck!” The scream comes out as soon as I shut myself inside my car. Okay, I just need a plan. I don’t give two shits if they go after the O’Malleys. From what Connor told me, they’re not good people. I do, however, give a lot of shits if they touch him. I won’t let that happen.

I know what I have to do. But I’m going to need supplies.

I start up my car and drive to the storage shed I’ve had for the last few months. Once I’m there, I unlock the door and open the safe. It’s where I keep spare documents. My grandfather taught me to be prepared for anything. Which is why I have three passports in different names, matching credit cards and driver’s licenses. I also have one for Connor, because, well, when I knew I loved him, I knew I’d do anything to protect him. Including hiding him. I just didn’t think I’d be having to hide him from my family.

Once I have all the documents and a stash of cash, I pick up the bag of clothes I left here. I also have wigs, hair dye, glasses, pretty much everything I need to become someone else.

It takes me an hour to drive around the city and collect the rest of the cash and weapons I’ve stashed in random places people don’t look. First stop was the church confessional. Under the seat, where I’d taped a handgun and a plastic bag of ten-dollar bills. Smaller bills mean less scrutiny when you’re paying for things.

Next stop was the library, one of my newer hiding spots. Another bag of money tucked beneath the shelf that housesSleeping Beauty. I didn’t leave weapons here on the off chance some kid would find it.

The last stop is the penthouse my family owns in the city and the safe I left in one of the guest bedrooms. I grab a vial of midazolam and a syringe from inside, lock it up again, and rush back to my car. Then I pick up my burner and message Connor.

Me:

I need air.

He once told me he’d always be the air I needed if I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Let’s hope he meant it. Five minutes later, he messages back.

Charming:

Aurora? Where are you?