Spy Girl (Spy Girl #1)

“You are very resourceful,” he says, curiously.

“Girl Scout.” I shrug like this is basic knowledge then use my phone to call Ari, waiting impatiently as the call is routed through an untraceable network.

“Where the hell are you?” Ari yells at me before I can say anything. “There were shots fired at the castle. The Prince is unaccounted for. The Prince’s guard is freaking out trying to find him.”

“I’m with the Prince.”

“Are you secure?”

“Yes. Please let his bodyguard know. Are his parents alright?”

“Yes, they are.”

“What happened?”

“Two men apparently were part of a tour group. They broke away and breached a private part of the castle. Had assault weapons. The press was reporting live as they were there doing an interview with the Queen. There are some injuries but no casualties. The guards were wearing Kevlar. That’s all I know.”

“Thanks, Ari.”

“Well?” the Prince says expectantly when I end the call.

“Two men who were part of a tour group got in. Your parents are fine.”

“And the assailants?”

“Not sure. But you can use my phone to call and find out.”





X X X





A motorcade picks us up and returns us to the castle, which is bursting at the seams with military.

I’m taken away from the Prince upon arrival and placed in a room by myself. It’s a gorgeous room, formerly the Queen’s study. I know it contains a secret passageway that leads to the kitchen, should I need to escape. But since there’s a guard standing watch at my door, I’m feeling a little like the enemy, rather than the girl who saved the Prince.

I still have my phone, which is dangling from my shoulder in a Dolce & Gabbana chain wallet. I open it, pulling out a pair of earbuds and then hitting the eavesdropping app on my phone, which now allows me to overhear the conversation taking place next door.

“You can’t just take off like that!” someone says.

“And you shouldn’t allow him out of your sight!” an older voice booms. “You weren’t doing your job.”

“He doesn’t allow me inside when he takes women in the bedroom,” the man replies curtly. That must be his personal bodyguard.

“Prince Lorenzo, this has to stop. You are going to be the King—God help us—of our great nation. You need to stop putting yourself at risk where women are concerned. Our investigators are researching this girl’s background with a fine-toothed comb. I can’t help but think she had something to do with this. It’s too much of a coincidence.”

“She helped me escape,” the Prince says.

“And how did she do that?” the deep voice asks, thick with doubt.

The Prince explains that I suggested a passageway.

“How would she even know about them?”

“She’s a history buff and had read up on the castle.”

“Why was she here with you? Who is she, really?”

“You think she had something to do with this?” the Prince asks.

“Don’t you think it’s a little odd this girl you just met asks for a tour of the castle and then we are attacked?”

“No, I don’t, because she didn’t ask for one. She already bought tickets to the public tour. I offered to bring her here.”

I hear an audible sigh on the other end. “Lorenzo, women are your weakness. Why don’t you run along now while we question her?”

Ooh, I don’t know who that guy is, but I don’t think he should be talking to the future King that way. Although, I agree with him on all accounts. The Prince’s careless ways make him an easy target.

“Why aren’t you questioning the men you captured?”

“Because we didn’t capture them, we shot them. They’re both dead.”

“Then you’re not talking to Huntley without me present.”

“Very well. Let’s go chat with her together.”

I quickly close the app, turn on some music, and pretend not to hear them enter.

The Prince touches my shoulder, and I fake a little jump. “Oh, gosh, you scared me.” I take out my earbuds and put them away.

The Prince takes my hand, turning me toward a broad-chested man in military shirtsleeves. Based on the stars on his uniform, I’d say he’s important. “Huntley, this is General Agueda of the Montrovian army. He would like to ask you a few questions.”

“Um, okay. What’s up?” I say, while running my free hand through my hair, fluffing it and looking unconcerned.

“How did you end up at the castle today?” he asks.

“Well, my brother and I were having a party at our villa. Daniel and—”

“Daniel?”

“Spear, sir. The Vice President of the United States’ son. Anyway, he and the Prince crashed our party, and Daniel introduced us. We talked, had some champagne, he asked what I planned to do during my visit, and I told him about my plans, which included going on the castle tour. He offered to give me a private one.”

The man keeps staring at me, so I continue.