Spy Girl (Spy Girl #1)

The phone on his desk rings, startling him.

He hears a series of clicks, knowing he’s being put through to a secure connection.

“Well?” the voice asks.

He takes another drink, greedily gulping it so he can bring himself to say the words he’s been dreading since that day. “Spy Girl is a go.”

“Do you think she’s ready?”

“With her genes and my training, what do you think?”

“You sound defiant, old man. I take it this mission is difficult for you.”

“She’s ready. I’ve done everything I can. She’s the best I’ve ever trained.”

“And the only one who matters. Do you think she will be able to attract the Prince’s attention and protect him?”

“That’s her mission. Of course, she will. Although, I think she was a little disappointed.”

“Why?”

“She would have preferred something more exciting. She wants to save the world.”

“And avenge her parents’ death.”

“Do you think he will be involved in this?”

“If those behind the plot to overthrow the monarchy are serious, The Priest is who they would hire. Are you afraid he will recognize her?”

“It’s been almost eight years since he tried to kill her. She’s changed. I’d be more worried about her recognizing him.”

“Why’s that?”

“I’m not sure how she will react. And I thought we were going to send her on a few test missions to start.”

“Things have progressed, and we can’t wait any longer. If she fails, we’ll deal with the repercussions. You and I both know this is a whole lot bigger than one small country.”

When the line goes dead, he drains the rest of the glass.

And wonders what he’s done.





X X X





I walk out of the Dean’s office feeling elated. I’m going to meet my handler. My first ever, real handler. The person who will do whatever I need in the field.

I survey the area looking for him, but only see a guy about my age, who is way too good looking to be a handler. Usually handlers are decrepit retired spies.

But then I see a distinguished looking older gentleman who reaches his white-gloved hand out to me.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Ellis.” He hands me an envelope. “Here are your credentials, driver’s license, passport, college ID, credit cards, and bio. Let’s get going. We don’t have much time.”

Ellis opens the back door of a Bentley. The guy hops in before me. Obviously, finishing school was not part of his training.

“Um, who are you?” I ask. I’m sort of hoping he’s supposed to be my boyfriend. That would be an assignment I could put all my energy into.

“Read your bio,” he tells me, putting headphones on and virtually ignoring me.

Rude asshole.

As we’re sitting silently in the back of the chauffeured car, I think of the neatly typed words. The words I’ve been waiting years to read.

This is it. My first assignment. The first step in my plan. I’ll get a few successful missions under my belt then I’ll use my abilities to hunt down the man who murdered my mother and kill him.

I smile to myself at the thought then pull out the papers and start reading about Montrovia.

Geographically important is right. Trillions of dollars of goods are moved through the Strait of Montrovia. Specifically trillions of dollars of oil they allow every country to move across its waters.

So basically, I’m supposed to seduce the Prince and somehow keep him from getting killed. Honestly, I’d rather chase a terrorist. He’s a freaking Prince. He will be impossible to get near.

I flip the page and see a photo of my target as well as his statistics. HRH Lorenzo Giovanni Baptiste Vallenta. Twenty-four, six feet tall, dark haired, and very easy on the eyes. Numerous articles pertain to his exploits; with sailing, polo ponies, fast cars, and fast women among his favored hobbies. Apparently, it’s not yet been publicly announced, but the Prince’s father is ill and not expected to recover. So the fact that someone has already developed a plan to assassinate him to take control of the country means whoever is behind the plot is well connected. I study the order of succession. The King. The Prince. Then his cousin, The Duchess of Cordova, and her sister, The Countess of Cordova.

I take out my new credentials next and study them.

I am Huntley Penelope “Penny” Bond-Von Allister.

“Are you kidding me?” I say out loud. “Did they really name me after Ethan Hunt from Mission Impossible and James Bond from 007?”

Ellis snickers in the front seat.

I elbow the guy sitting next to me. He glares at me then takes off his headphones. “What?”

“Do I look like a Penny?”

“Not really, but that’s what I’ll be calling you. It’s in my notes.”

“You will not be calling me that. I’ll go by Huntley. What is your name?”

“Keep reading.” He leaves his headset off this time and stares out the window, continuing to ignore me.