Page 132 of Awakened
I scrolled back up to check the names at the top. The list read like an invite to a party I would love to go to. The top twenty on the kidnap list were all powerful women who were close to me. They were being sent to Crescent Moon. My heart almost fucking stopped. Emily’s name was at the top. The placement location was the Crescent Pack- MS.
BUZZ
This is precisely what we needed. Good work.
I need to show Brandon this. I need to prepare them.
No. Not yet. They will be told, but not by you. They can’t know the info’s coming from you. We’ll get this to everyone that can be trusted. When you get back to St. Louis, you’ll need to solidify the allies. The Cornerstone Packs are set to go after Emily and another fifteen women in two weeks. You’ll need to round them up and bring them to Kirksville. We can create a stronghold that way.
Time for the 1st real battle, Les. You ready?
My stomach turned, and I rushed to the half bath, making it just in time to aim the chunks at the toilet.
Chocolate chip cookies should never be thrown up.
Resting my cheek on the cold porcelain, I wondered how the hell I was going to pull this off.
TWENTY-FIVE
The next morning, I woke up feeling like a human garbage fire. My stomach was wrecked, a sweet migraine had set up shop behind my right eye, and my ankle was throbbing. As if that wasn’t enough to contend with, my phone was full of texts.
Marie Landry
And who the fuck will be planning this retreat? You better get your ass back to STL ASAP.
Bonnie Jackson
You better get back home fast. Marie is on a warpath.
Sarah Mitchell
OMG, a Women’s Leadership Retreat? I LOVE IT! Let me know what you need me to do!
Rubbing my eyes vigorously, I dropped my phone. It was far too early for whatever they were talking about.
The burner buzzed, causing anotherwave of nerves.
SCD
Good news! You’re going to hold a Women’s Leadership Retreat! Great cover, right?
Invitations went out last night (check your inbox).
You need to get the Amazons on board, get Blue Moon to host, and get all the targets to agree to come. Since Stewart knows you stole his jump drive, we can’t count on them to keep their plans.
Perfect.
So, you’re making a buffet for the sickos?
Pretty much. What could draw out the assholes better than a bunch of strong women being led by the strongest woman for a weekend about being strong women? You can’t tell me they won’t try to ruin that.
Just because you’re right doesn’t make this a good idea. You’re putting these women in danger.
They’d be in more danger if we did nothing. You can reach out to our allies and rally support. It won’t be suspicious. They’d expect you to be cautious.
Saving me from firing off what would’ve probably been a pathetic response, Emily bounced into the living room. “Why am I just now hearing about this retreat? Whitney and I will have to bust ass to get this thing organized.”
I winced. “Sorry. I came up with the idea this past week, and after helping Chastity, it seems like the right time.”
