Shadow State by Elyse Brayden

Author:Elyse Brayden
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Imprint

SIXTEEN

FOUR DAYS TO LAUNCH

On Monday night, Brynn’s hands shook as she did up the buttons of the unfamiliar white oxford shirt. “Help,” she whispered to Dex, knowing there was no way she could tie the black tie properly. He leaned over and cinched it for her, then stood back. “You look good. Certainly the sexiest caterer I’ve ever seen.”

Brynn gave him a wary nudge. “I want to blend in, not be sexy.” Then she smiled. “You, however, look amazing.”

They were crowded into a tiny bathroom in the lobby of the Four Seasons, where the BioXin investors’ dinner was taking place. Earlier, they’d snuck around the back entrance to the hotel, and Brynn had managed to intercept two of the caterers, a blond girl about her size named Maddy, and a guy about Dex’s size named West. Getting Maddy and West to hand over their uniforms and let Brynn and Dex take their places had cost Brynn all of the two hundred dollars in babysitting money she’d saved, but she needed to go incognito tonight. As Maddy the caterer, she’d be able to glide around the event unnoticed—and get to Lowell. Dex would provide backup in case she needed it.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Dex asked as he helped her put on her jacket. “It’s not like we’re sure Lowell is part of ACL.”

“It has to be him,” Brynn said. “I’ve gone over every other possibility. We’re running out of time, Dex. Why else would Lowell have passed us that secret folder?”

Dex peered out the bathroom door into the lobby. “It looks like everyone is going in. Just keep cool, okay? I’ll be right behind you.”

Brynn nodded and tried to smile, but her stomach was jumping all over the place. She adjusted her black wig, put on the thick, clear-lensed glasses she’d picked up at CVS, and pushed out through the bathroom door.

The lobby was crowded with people in suits and women in dresses. Most of them looked distinguished and important, and everyone was too busy schmoozing to notice Brynn as she hurried toward the kitchen. Her gaze flicked to the front drive, where valets were rushing around trying to park all the cars. A bell rang, and the guests began to file into the ballroom. Dex squeezed Brynn’s shoulder. “Good luck.”

“You, too.”

Brynn strode into the kitchen as calmly as she could. Cooks manned countless stoves, frying, flipping, and sautéing. A prep line arranged and dressed salads. A woman who looked like the boss scanned the caterers. Brynn put her head down and avoided eye contact, not wanting the woman to scrutinize her. The servers were lining up to take out trays of salad, and Brynn huddled at the back.

“Table one,” the boss instructed a server as she went out the door. “Table seven,” she told another. She smiled at Dex, clearly finding him cute. “Table two.” Then she got to Brynn. “Table three,” she said, hefting a tray into her arms.

Brynn nodded and hurried into the ballroom, which was packed and humid.

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