Chapter 3

Chapter Three

To: MasonBradley

From: Princess D

Subject: Summer

I should create my own email address. Even that is protected and safeguarded by my parents and their security team.

Who cares if it says Ainsley J. Colthurst-Decker?

It's not like people will know who I am, will they?

How's camp? I never asked if you'd be a part of it or how you'd be taking care of my brothers. When I went to summer camps, my security detail was one of the instructors. Is that what you're doing? Have you done that before?

I'm sending you a picture of yesterday's sunset.

Talk soon,

AJ

To: Princess D

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Email address

What do you want your new address to be? No, it can't be your name. If anyone figures out that either one of your parents has a child, the security around the house and you guys will have to increase. It'll be a circus. It's a measure to keep you safe.

What am I doing this summer with your brothers?

I don't want to lie to you. So, I won't tell you. Let's say that we're breaking a few rules. When are you leaving for Europe? I heard Dad is going to be with you and Grandma Janine.

Keep in touch,

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Princess D

Subject: I don't like you

What are you doing?

It's not like I'm going to tell my parents. I have a strict policy of never tattle-telling on my brothers. I want my email address to mean something. Princess D is the code name your dad's been using since I was a baby. It reminds me that I'm trapped, and I'm not even royalty.

Do you know what I've been doing this summer? Playing music and hanging out with Porter. He's not that bad. He's just a misunderstood child. We've been working on our music. Maybe he'll follow in my father's footsteps too.

By the way, I'm leaving next week. Our first stop is London.

Bored in the Pacific Northwest,

AJCD

To: Princess D

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Summer

I can't switch your code name—just learn to live with it. When you have children, set something they won't hate. Your new email address is [email protected]. Use the same password you're using for your current email, and it'll prompt you to change it right away.

You're welcome.

How can you be bored when you claim to be having fun with Porter? You don't make sense.

Your brothers only had one week of camp. Now, we're in Arizona, hanging with my family. Your parents think we're in Colorado Springs. Dad allowed us to skip it as long as I brought them here and kept an eye on them. I wish I could've brought you with us.

Send me pictures of your trip.

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: ((frowny face))

Seriously, Nine?

You switched my email address to Nine. I'm speechless.

My middle name is Janine. Not Nine. The Ja isn't silent.

I'm appalled and somehow thankful that I don't have a childish email address anymore.

Also, thank you for sending me a new laptop and the camera. It'll make it easier to carry and send you pictures.

How's Arizona? I wish you could've taken me with you, but I'm sure the trip with Grandma will be amazing.

Talk to you soon,

Ainsley

PS I don't plan to torture my children. They'll have a normal childhood: no code names, homeschooling, or ridiculous rules.

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: Code names

I hate to sound like my father, but you might understand your parents better when you have children. Who knows what will happen in fifteen or twenty years, but maybe you'll be a famous musician too, and you'll need protection for your kids the way your parents do with you and your brothers.

In other news, my new game went on sale this week, and it's doing great. Maybe when you're back home, we'll celebrate. In the meantime, I made sure you get some treats at your next stop. They're all safe. Did you take enough insulin with you? We don't want you to end up in the hospital.

Enjoy France,

Mason

To: MasonBradley

From: Nine

Subject: I saw it!!

Grandma and I were shopping, and we saw your game. There was a big display with a cutout. It's funny that there's a cutout of Dad next to it, promoting his latest movie. I wanted to buy it, but Grandma said no. I can't watch it—it's rated R.

I'm fifteen, not two. So many girls my age have watched porn, lost their virginities, and tried vodka.

I've never even been kissed.

Thank you for the treats. Grandma made sure to bring insulin with us. I'm pretty sure your dad carries some with him too. Thank you for worrying about me.

When are you guys going back home?

Hugs,

Ainsley

To: Nine

From: MasonBradley

Subject: End of summer

I dropped your brothers back at the estate. I'm going to be working on a special project, and I'll be off the grid. Make sure to keep writing even if I don't respond.

Mason