Spy Girl (Spy Girl #1)

I gulp even though I was trained not to give away my feelings through nonverbal communication. Lying is second nature for me. I’m good at it. But I can’t seem to lie to him. Not about this.

I look down and simply nod. Because I do care about him even though I shouldn’t. Even though I just met him. Even though I have no reason to trust him.

“Then I’ll stay in the room next door,” he says, getting out of bed and picking up his clothes. “I want to be close by. I heard about the attempts on his life and fear you may be in danger by association. It was way too easy for me to sneak into your room.”

“I really don’t want you to leave,” I admit.

“I can just sleep in here, if you want. We don’t have to, you know. I just want to keep you safe.”

Which is as soothing as it is ironic.





MISSION:DAY SEVEN





Two men are alone in a large, ornate library having a terse discussion.

“The papers say she’s going to be the next Princess of Montrovia. She may be doing part of her mission a little too well.”

“She’s saved him from three separate assassination attempts. I’d say that’s pretty damn good for a brand new agent.”

“Yes, but is she making any progress on the case?”

The former Dean of Blackwood Academy frowns but does not reply.

“I’d hate to see all her training go to waste because she decides she’d rather be royal. Maybe we need to dangle a carrot in front of her.”

“I think you’re playing with fire.”

“Do what you need to do, old man.”

“Do you have no conscience? Have you ever stopped to think about what effect this could have on her? She’s just a girl.”

“She’s soon to be twenty-two and very much an adult. Remind me again why she wants to work for Black X?”

“To avenge her parents’ deaths,” the Dean says with a sigh, knowing he won’t win this battle.

“Then our goals are in alignment. We will both do whatever it takes—no matter the price. The world as we know it may depend on our commitment. Make the call.”





The former Dean goes into an office at the Black X headquarters, requests a secure line, calls the villa in Montrovia, and asks Ellis to put him through.

“Hello?” she says, her voice sounding different than he is used to. He realizes why. She sounds happy. She’s in her element.

“Word on the street is you will become a princess. Is that what you want?”

“That’s what every girl wants, apparently,” she fires back.

“But you’re not every girl.”

“No, I’m not. And you know what I want.”

“To be a member of Black X?”

“And to find the man who killed my parents.”

“If you succeed in this mission, they will help you.”

“I’ve saved him three times already.”

“Protecting him is only part of your mission. Keep that in mind.”

“Sir, do you think I’m doing well?”

“That remains to be seen.”

“I found out about the watch you gave—”

He hangs up before she can say another word and prays the line was indeed secure.





X X X





My call with the Dean gets disconnected, and he doesn’t call back, so I return to my room from the terrace, where I took the call.

Daniel is still asleep, so I slip back into bed. He pulls me into his chest, wraps his arms around me, and makes a cute little mumbled sound as his lips land on my shoulder.

I take a few moments to bask in the glow of being in his arms.

I realize now it was a mistake to let him sleep with me last night. Our just sleeping together felt more intimate than if we would have had sex. I can’t get attached to him. No matter how hot or tender he may be.

He’s not my mission.

And I need to forget about him.

While he was off in Switzerland, I pushed him out of my mind and focused on the Prince. And I’ve been successful in my mission of protecting him. But the Dean is right. I’ve been spending too much time doing that and not enough time tracking down who is responsible. But it’s really hard to do both.

Today the drivers qualify for their positions in the race, and I feel like I need to do the same—move fast, figure out who is behind the plot, and take the checkered flag.

The streets will be packed. There have been events all week, but today kicks off a forty-eight hour continuous party that ends in grand form with the winning driver and his team being honored at the Queen’s Ball.

Which means the clock is ticking, and I’m quickly running out of time.

I reluctantly leave Daniel, throw on some yoga clothes, and then go to Ari’s room.