Nanny by Christina Skye Read Free Book Online Page A

practice time to one hour.”
    A titter ran through the other girls, but it was quickly suppressed by the instructor’s cold glare. “Back in line, all of you. Third position. Partners will call out movements.
Vite, vite.
”
    Summer felt a haze of sweat on her brow. At Quantico she had squatted in a tactical Nomex suit under the sweltering August sun. She’d run obstacle courses in frigid rain and fieldstripped her weapon in total darkness by feel alone.
    But nothing beat ballet classes for sheer hell.
    Â 
    When the girls filed to the studio door thirty minutes later, the instructor singled Summer out. “You studied dance in the East, Ms. Mulvaney? How curious that I have never seen such feet positions before.”
    Summer smiled, volunteering nothing. The witch should be teaching sharks at the aquarium, not innocent girls.
    She noticed that Sophy pulled her gloves on as soon as they left the room. “Are your hands still cold, Sophy?”
    â€œA little.”
    â€œHave you told your doctor?”
    A tight head shake.
    Summer started to speak, but Sophy bowed her shoulders and plunged into the chaos of the big, open changing room, clutching her backpack. She looked slightly sick, Summer thought. Most of the other girls were staring and Summer heard a whispered “baby” as they walked to the front row of lockers. She had a sudden and entirely wonderful idea for retaliation.
    Sitting down next to Sophy, she toed off her pink slippers. “When are you going to pick out your new dress?”
    Big gray eyes blinked at her. “What new dress?”
    â€œFor the wedding. Rehearsal dinner, remember? Tom Cruise is coming and you don’t want to wear just any old rag for Mr. Mission Impossible, do you?”
    Sophy stared up at her, knapsack clutched to her chest. “Tom
Cruise
?”
    â€œSure.” Summer bent down and picked up her street clothes, dropping her voice to a whisper. “Play along, and we’ll
really
give them something to gossip about.”
    Sophy began to smile. “Oh, right. I forgot all about the rehearsal dinner. Do you think he likes pink?”
    â€œWhy don’t we call and ask? Tom owes your mom a favor since she agreed to be a legal advisor for his next movie.” Summer hid a smile. Heads were starting to turn, just as she’d hoped. “You know what he said to your mom?” She could feel the curiosity growing, hot and sharp, as she bent closer to Sophy. “Laugh. Really loud.”
    Sophy’s clear voice rang out on cue.
    â€œThat’s what your mom told me, word for word.” Summer tossed Sophy her shoes. “How about we call him on the way home?”
    Sophy blinked. “You mean, I could call Tom Cruise? Right now?”
    â€œAbsolutely.” When Summer stood up, thirty sets of eyes lasered in her direction. “Ready to go?” she asked sweetly.
    All motion stilled in the room.
    â€œYou bet,” Sophy bubbled, shrugging on her knapsack. “I bet Tom likes pink best.”
    â€œBet you a dollar he goes for red. Really hot red.” Summer pulled out her cell phone and tapped it thoughtfully on her chin. “Why don’t you call him and see? The number is already programmed. Just press three on the speed dial.”
    The silence around them was fierce as they walked through the room. This time no one whispered “baby” or anything else at Sophy.
    Summer hoped Cara O’Connor wouldn’t mind the white lie. At least Sophy was standing tall now, a grin engulfing her face.
    Not bad for her first day on the job, Summer decided.

chapter 5
    Assistant DA’s Office

San Francisco
    I t was supposed to be the most wonderful week of her life. She was healthy, successful, engaged to a wonderful man—and about to choose her wedding dress.
    But Cara O’Connor sat stiffly at her desk, tied up in a thousand little knots.
    Her softly tailored suit was immaculate as she spoke