Sunday Snippet: To Create a Spy

Hello 2025. I truly hope this year is better than I expect it will be.

I have some goals for this year, and one is to finally launch my side project. I've been putting it off, and I think I finally figured out why. Instead of FOMO, fear of missing out, I have FOFU, fear of fucking up or, a kinder version, FOMU, fear of messing up. I need to get over that.

We're under a winter weather advisory and I have to leave super early in the morning to pick my oldest up from work. I'm debating whether I should fill up my tank now or just wait and do it on the way. We're only supposed to have an inch of snow, but I'm not sure about the freezing rain and ice. I'll monitor and decide soon.

Very light work week. I'm working on a readthrough of a series for a friend and I'm so excited for this project! I'm also hoping I have some new work starting this week. I have tentative dates in my calendar, but nothing set yet.

Had an okay week of viewing. I've been in a weird mood and haven't been watching as much as I could have. That said, I have been getting a lot of writing done so I'm not complaining.

Caught another episode of Elementary. Much happier with where Joan and Sherlock in this episode. The vibe is very different from the first two seasons, and I think I'm okay with that.

I started a Batman Beyond rewatch. I have a lot of love for this show and look forward to diving back in again.

Enjoyed another episode of Classic Rugrats. Once again, I didn't remember either of the vignettes, so I had fun watching.

Watched an episode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I hadn't seen any of this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think there's one episode left, and I'll have to find a new show to watch.

Almost through the season three premiere episode of London Kills. This could end up being a wild ride. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from To Create a Spy, a novella with characters inspired by the original series of La Femme Nikita.

Here's the miniblurb:

Mariah St. James isn't what she appears to be when she's recruited by a covert black ops group hell bent on using her supposed skill set. But when she finds an ally in Matthew Jamison, she thinks she might actually survive the rigorous and deadly training … until he betrays her by leaving her alone in a dangerous situation.

And a sneaky peek…

Matthew had to get a grip. He'd just put both their lives in danger.

Over a kiss.

Why now?

Since he'd picked her up from the prison and all through her training, he'd never been compelled to act on the strange connection he shared with Mariah. Yet today, he'd not only acted on it, but turned it into a measuring stick. Pushed at her to see if she'd learned the stuff they didn't teach.

She had. And learned it well.

What is it about Mariah that sucks me in? Ten years in Division and he'd never once been tempted to put his ass on the line for another operative.

He'd wined. He'd dined. And yes, he'd bedded when necessary.

Always on command from someone else. Under orders. He did what they asked, when they asked.

Matthew didn't indulge in attractions with other operatives or staff. And he suffered no delusions regarding the peril he faced by doing so now. Yet it will continue. Under wraps, completely in secret, but there will be more with Mariah.

The big question in his mind? How long before I can't control the pace? And that begged the next query. How much damage will the fallout inflict and who will be left standing?

He needed to step back, assess every angle, weigh the consequences. But his brain kept revisiting the feel of her lips under his. Her initial surprise gave way to a soft yielding tinged with an underlying heat. She'd wanted more, would have let him take it further regardless of their location.

Good and bad.

Matthew didn't doubt they'd resist the pull between them. But if either of them stepped wrong while on premises, containment wouldn't be far behind. Mariah needed to learn that. Hold it close and never break protocol while in the confines of Division.

If his decade of experience with the ins and outs didn't stop him, she would have to remind him. And the fact that he wanted more and didn't care if it proved deadly, gave him one certain undeniable fact. She's the most dangerous thing on the planet right now.

Heading back to the hub, Matthew found Axyl and asked him to load the upcoming mission data to his panel. A brief stint in the field would be a wise move and Matthew intended to wait no less than twelve hours to get out there.

I think this novella will be the opening for a three-part series. I'm having a lot of fun writing this and I'm excited to see where everything goes.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye