"You bought this place," I said slowly."Just like that.One phone call."
"Yes," Captain Steiner said carefully.
"How much did it cost?"
"Does it matter?"
I looked around the café: at the expensive espresso machine, the prime location, the steady stream of customers that had been filing through here all morning.This place had to be worth at least half a million dollars.
"It was my money," I said slowly.
"Only if you return to Valdoria with us."
"You dropped half a million dollars without breaking a sweat," I said."To have a private conversation with a barista."
Neither of them denied it.
"So here's what's going to happen," I continued, feeling steadier now that I understood the power dynamic.If they could throw around that kind of money, they could do something useful with it."You want me to come to Valdoria.Fine.But I want something in return."
"What do you want?"Vasseur asked.
"My parents have a mortgage.You pay that off, and I'll get on your plane tonight without making a scene."
Captain Steiner and Lieutenant Commander Vasseur exchanged glances.
"Done," Steiner said.
The speed of their agreement told me everything I needed to know.Whatever they wanted me for in Valdoria, it was worth a lot more than a mortgage payment.I was already wondering what else I could have asked for.A car.A boat.A small island.I already had a coffee shop.I suppose I shouldn't get too greedy.Paying off my parent's house and having this place of business was worth listening to a Duchess, even if I still didn't believe this was actually real.
"There's a private jet waiting at Portland International," Vasseur said."We need to leave within the hour."
I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen.How do you explain that their entire life is about to be turned upside down because of a crime they didn't even know they'd committed?How do you call your parents and tell them you're secretly European royalty?
"Can I at least call my parents and let them know what's happening."
"Of course," Captain Steiner said, her voice gentler now."But we do need to leave soon.There are people in Valdoria who have been waiting a very long time to meet you."
"We will be in Valdoria by tomorrow morning."
I looked around the café that had been my second home for the past three years.The espresso machine I'd learned to operate.The tables where I'd served hundreds of customers.The little corner where I'd done homework between shifts, dreaming about finishing my degree and maybe opening my own place someday.It was now mine.
"Do I have time to pack?"
"We've taken the liberty of arranging for your belongings to be shipped to Valdoria.You won't need anything immediately.Appropriate clothing and necessities will be provided upon your arrival."
"Of course they will."
I stood up slowly, my legs still unsteady from the morning's revelations.Princess Bettina Elena Margot de Reina.It didn't even sound real.This couldn't actually be happening, could it?
I untied my apron, folding it neatly on the table next to my empty mug.Then I picked up my phone and dialed my parents' number.
Time to say goodbye to the only life I'd ever known.
At least I wouldn't have to deal with Derek anymore.Every cloud had a silver lining, right?
