Page 5 of The Eagle (Spy Girl 2)
"If the students have families, they are not allowed to attend. We weren't allowed to talk about our families or tell each other our real names."
"So what did you call each other?"
"We had letters. I was X."
"X is the name you've gone by for the last six years?"
"Yes."
He studies me more closely. "That almost sounds like a behavior-modification program. Were they brainwashing you?"
"No, just stripping us of our identity. That's the point, right--anonymity?"
"Yeah, I guess. You seem normal."
"I am normal." I slug him in the arm. "Well, as normal as someone can be with my skill set."
"Do you know anything else about Black X?"
"They are small and elite, but well-funded and powerful." I decide if I should tell him the rest. Ari seems to know so much more about Ares and this whole cover thing than I do, sometimes I feel at a disadvantage.
"Go on," he urges, placing his hand gently on my forearm. "What else did he say?"
"I'm not sure if I should tell you the rest. It's not in my file. You think my parents were killed in a car accident, right?"
He narrows his eyes at me. "They weren't?"
"For our cover purposes, they were. In real life, they weren't." My voice cracks. If he's going to be my partner, this is something he should know about. I'd hate to have it affect one of our missions. "My mother was a spy who was shot point-blank by an assassin."
"I'm sorry--"
"In front of me."
"Oh my God."
"A few days later, my dad's car exploded. I got out, he didn't. Anyway, the Dean told me that Black X would understand my need for revenge and would help me achieve it. Working for them immediately became my goal. My focus. To be good enough for them to want me. Because deep down I knew that the CIA would probably not allow me to go rogue and kill my mother's assassin."
"That's your goal?"
"Personally, yes."
"What about professionally?"
"I want to be the best."
"I'm sure it's painful to discuss, but did the assassin not see that you were there?"
"I was behind him. He had my mother down on her knees with the gun pointed at her head. I shot him in the shoulder just as he shot and killed her. Then we fought. I got away. I learned from Terrance while we were in Montrovia that my parents were both spies. Before that I thought they worked in international finance."
Ari sits down slowly--clearly shocked. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"The real question is why didn't anyone tell me they were spies. If Black X is so powerful, why did they keep it from me?"
"Maybe they didn't want to add to your grief. Maybe they were trying to protect you. You still haven't answered my question."
"I wasn't sure if I could trust you."
"What changed your mind?"
"When I told Intrepid I worked for Black X, you told me not to lie to him. I knew then that honesty is important to you. When I asked how you were notified of your mission, you told me yours had unicorns and rainbows or something. Mine came in an envelope with a monogrammed X wax seal. I asked the Dean if it was from whom I thought it was. He told me yes."
"So you really don't know much about them, either?"
"No."
"That worries me."
"Why?"
"What if we're playing for the wrong team?"
"I don't know how that could be," I disagree. "We saved the Prince of Montrovia. That was a good thing."
"True. It will be interesting to see what they have for us next." He glances behind me. I turn around and see Daniel coming outside.
"I have to go. The Secret Service is here."
"I'll walk you out," I say, escorting him back through the house.
Two black SUVS are idling in the circular driveway, one with its door open. Two men in dark suits, dark shades, and earpieces are flanking it.
Daniel pulls me close and whispers in my ear. "Leave your balcony door open tonight. I'll ditch them if I can."
"If you can ditch them, they aren't doing their job," I whisper back.
"We'll see," he says with a cocky grin. "Or you could come crash my party."
"You're having a party?"
"A very private one."
I give him a playful smack and roll my eyes at him. "With your trainer?"
This time he sighs. "You know I meant just you and me. But you're right. I do have to meet my trainer very early in the morning."
One of the men clears his throat, anxious to get Daniel home.
Daniel smacks my butt and says, "See ya."
A short time later, I get a text.
Daniel: You are cordially invited to dinner at the Vice President's house.
Me: Isn't your dad kind of busy, like running our country in its time of crisis?
Daniel: Yes, but Mom said he needed to come home for dinner.
Me: I don't think I can. Lorenzo is here.
Daniel: You're going to turn down the chance to meet the Acting President of the United States?
Daniel: I want you to meet my parents. Please.
Me: Let me see if I can figure something out.
Daniel: I'm sure Ari can entertain your guest. Why don't you join them after dinner? I'm sequestered here until further notice.
Me: Maybe. Dress code?
Danie
l: Naked.
Me: Can't wait to take photos of the Spear family's naked dinner party and post it to my social media.
Daniel: Fine. Something deliciously sexy.
Me: What will your mother be wearing?
Daniel: Either scrubs or a formal gown. One can never tell.
The Second Lady is a highly sought after neurosurgeon and one of the few in history to keep her day job while her husband is in office.
Me: You are no help whatsoever.
Daniel: It's just our family, so casual.
Me: Thank you.
Daniel: So . . . Enzo didn't seem mad at me.
Me: He wasn't exactly happy.
Daniel: What's the deal with you two, anyway?
Me: Pretty much the same as it is with you. New and fun.
Daniel: You overheard our conversation?
Me: I did.
Lorenzo and his staff have taken over the formal dining room. Ari and I are headed out the front door when he steps out and says, "Where are you going?"
"Our father had a research facility on the property. I've never seen it."
"I'm nearly finished with my call, may I join you?"
I look at Ari, his initial tick quickly replaced with a smile. "We'll wait for you out front," he says.
"You didn't want him to come?" I ask once we're outside.
"I suppose since he knows the truth about us, it's okay. Do you trust him?"
"Explicitly."
"We're in espionage, Huntley. We're not supposed to trust anyone."
"What about each other?"
He narrows his eyes at me. "Do you have any more secrets you need to tell me about?"
"I can't think of any. What about you?"
"Nothing important."
The massive front doors open, and Lorenzo strides out alone.
