Spy Girl (Spy Girl #1)

“What do we know about the boyfriend?”


“Well, if we’re right about her father’s death being connected, the fact that she met him only a few weeks ago rules him out, right?”

“I suppose, but I still don’t like him. Something about him makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.”

“He’s from France. Mother is French. Father from Albania. He was arrested for protesting at a global climate conference once, but other than that his record is clean.”

“Did they know each other before they started dating?”

“He told me they only recently met.”

“Here’s a theoretical question. What happens if Clarice were to succeed in becoming Queen? If she tried to change the country dramatically, wouldn’t the military protest? The people protest?”

“I suspect all would be done for the good of the country and before they knew it things would be very different in Montrovia.”

“But I thought that Montrovia is geographically important because of all the oil transported on its waters? I thought that was why our government is worried. Even the Saudis are worried based on what Lorenzo said. I mean, that’s the real reason we are here, right? Because our country and our allies don’t want the Strait to fall into the wrong hands.”

“Think about it. If Clarice succeeds, there will be no military. Based on her comments about green living and fossil fuels, I’m thinking stopping the flow of oil through her country’s waters might be one of the first things she would do.”

Our conversation is interrupted by our breakfast being brought to my room. Ellis follows the server in and hands me the local morning newspaper.

“I’m on the front page?” I ask in shock.

“You’re on page six, as well. There are numerous photos on the internet of you and Prince Lorenzo together. You’re famous, my dear,” Ellis states.

After the server gets our breakfast set up and leaves, I hand Ellis the file Ari gave me and ask him to destroy it. Along with the newspaper.

If this keeps up, I may have no choice but to become a princess.





I decide to spend the rest of the morning shopping. Specifically for something spectacular to wear tonight. Yes, the Kates sent some beautiful dresses and basics, but I’m looking for something sinfully short, sexy, and sparkly.

I find it at the second store I visit. The staff is extremely helpful, possibly due to the fact that I was on the front page this morning.

But as I move from store to store, I realize that I’m being followed by a man wearing a ball cap. I use a few simple evasion tactics without being obvious, not to lose him, but just to verify that he is, in fact, following me. I try one more technique. One a little more advanced, but the man is not tricked. When I come out of the alley, I stop to look in a store window, which allows me to see that he’s still behind me.

And I know instantly that this man is either an agent or an assassin. So why is he following me? Does he think I’m going to meet the Prince? Or is he interested in me?

I pop into a store to see if he will follow me and make myself look at a few evening bags. I’m trying to decide if I should buy a pricey clutch for tonight when he enters the store, walks straight up to me, and says, “You should have that.”

The fact that he’s this close has me on edge. I back up a little so I have more space to maneuver should he pull out a weapon.

“You think?” I ask, playing dumb, putting the skinny chain on my shoulder and studying myself in the mirror, while discreetly tapping my heel to expose the blade. “I can’t decide if I should get it.”

“I think you should.” He takes off his ball cap and holds out his hand. “I’m William Gallagher.”

Holy shit balls!

It can’t be.