Page 9 of The Cousins and the Brunette

All bark and no bite? Yeah, and it’s all fun and games until someone gets a stiletto to the jugular.

My fingers drummed against my arm as I weighed my options. “And if I refuse?”

Mr. Shoemaker’s expression hardened for a split second before smoothing over. “Then we part ways, and you return to your rather charming living arrangements.”

The barely concealed disdain in his voice made my blood boil. But he wasn’t wrong. Our “charming” living arrangements were one bad day away from leaving us dead on the streets.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Fine. I’m in. But I want half the payment upfront, and if things go sideways, I’m out. No questions asked.”

A triumphant gleam flashed across Mr. Shoemaker’s face. “Excellent. I knew you’d see reason, Brynn. Now, let’s discuss the finer points of your...transformation.”

“My what?”

Mr. Shoemaker’s lips curled into a smirk. “Transformation, my dear. We can’t have you waltzing into high society looking like...well, you.”

Ugh. Now I get to play dress-up doll for the amusement of the upper crust. What’s next, etiquette lessons and a crash course in which fork to use for the escargot?

My jaw clenched. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension, “that you’ll need to learn how to walk, talk, and dress like my daughter, like an Elite. If you’re to convince the Porters, you’ll need to become her…one of us.”

A knot formed in my stomach. “And how exactly am I supposed to pull that off?”

“With my guidance, of course.” Mr. Shoemaker straightened his tie. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know. Elizabeth’s mannerisms, her interests, even her little quirks. You’ll wear her clothes, use her perfume. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be indistinguishable from the real thing.”

From street rat to socialite in what, a week? This isn’t My Fair Lady, it’s my personal nightmare. But for Kay... I’d walk through fire. Or in this case, wear Gucci and Prada.

I crossed my arms, my nails digging into my skin. “And what happens when the Porters show up to kidnap your daughter? I mean, me?”

Mr. Shoemaker’s expression hardened. “You’ll play the part until I can expose the Porters for their betrayal. Once that’s done, I’ll pay you for your service, and you can disappear back into... wherever it is you came from.”

“Just like that?” I scoffed. “You really think it’ll be that simple?”

“Nothing worth doing ever is, Brynn.” He leaned forward, his voice low. “But think of the reward. Enough money to stop living like a rat. Isn’t that worth a little discomfort?” Mr. Shoemaker’s lips twitched. “Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get a taste of the good life, and I get to expose some unsavory characters.”

“Right, because nothing says ‘good life’ like being a human bullseye. And what happens when these Porters realize I’m not your precious Elizabeth?”

“That’s where your street smarts come in handy, Brynn. You’ll need to channel that resourcefulness of yours.”

I narrowed my gaze. “Your disdain is showing.”

He chuckled, a sound as hollow as his promises. “Forgive me. I meant no offense. Focus on the opportunity at hand. Sometimes, we must sink to rise, Brynn. Are you prepared to do what’s necessary?”

I exhaled slowly, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. “I guess I don’t have much choice, do I?”

“There’s always a choice,” he countered smoothly. “It’s just a matter of how much you’re willing to sacrifice for what you want.”

My throat tightened. Kay’s face flashed in my mind, her hopeful smile as she talked about going to school someday. I swallowed hard, pushing down the doubt gnawing at my insides.

“When do we start?”

Mr. Shoemaker’s triumphant grin made my skin crawl. “Meet me at my mansion tomorrow.” He tossed me his card with his address.

The Elite strolled away, disappearing into the shadows of the crumbling buildings. I let out a breath. What had I just agreed to?

I made my way back to our hideout, the bright sunshine highlighting the cracked pavement. The small, abandoned maintenance room beneath the old overpass was well-hidden, but it was home. As I pushed open the rusty door, a wave of musty air and faint engine oil greeted me.

“Brynn! You’re back!” Kay smiled.

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