Page 88 of The Saint

“Va va va voom.” The makeup artist studied the stylist’s work, pleased, and said with a laugh, “You should see what we can pull off when we’re tasked with turning you into the Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Beth returned with two glasses of white wine in hand. “Wow, Amelia.”

“That’s what I said.” She took one of the wineglasses offered.

She waited for Amelia to take a sip. “Do you like the wine?”

It was fresh and citrusy. Beyond that, the intricacies of its flavor and taste were lost on her.

“I usually enjoy a nice glass of wine, but maybe a shot of something that burns would be a better choice for tonight. You know, a little liquid courage.” She suddenly realized how ungrateful she sounded. “Honestly, you don’t have to waste your wine on me.”

“Pfsh.” Beth waved a hand. “You’ll do fine, and I’ll waste what I want on you. You deserve it.”

“You’re only saying that because your colleagues had me thrown in prison.”

Beth snorted. “Good point. I should break out the really good stuff.” But then she shrugged and held the wineglass up to the light. “But kidding aside, I have to know this for work. It’s research.”

“Here’s to research.” Amelia took another sip. “I would say I wish my job was dresses and drinking, too, but it sort of was.Is,” she corrected. “I taste-test menus for events. Why do you have to know about this?”

Beth hummed. “I have to know about the Clos de Vougeot, a French commune in the Burgandy region that produces world-renowned wines.” She lifted her wineglass to the two other women, who had just about finished packing. “Would either of you like a glass of work research?”

Laughing, they declined, citing other assignments they were headed to shortly.

“Doing hair and makeup for spies. Oh, the lives you all must live.” Amelia fidgeted with her wine glass. “I’m a little jealous.”

With a wave goodbye, they each pulled wheeled bags out of Beth’s enormous bedroom.

The stylist called, “Don’t forget to have fun.”

Amelia took another sip and thought of the night ahead. Fun wasn’t what she’d thought about having. Maybe she would start with not having a panic attack.Fun…

Beth set her wineglass down, clasped Amelia on her shoulders, and turned her to face the framed floor-to-ceiling mirror. “You look fantastic.”

“I look like someone else.”

“That’s all part of the game.” Beth picked at an invisible lint piece and smoothed her hand over the fabric. “Do you remember what to do if you’re uncomfortable?”

Her heartbeat jumped. She was uncomfortablenow. Before Camden set eyes on her, before they’d walked into Esme’s crazyparty, her nervous system was shouting: danger ahead. Still, she wouldn’t get answers if she stayed home and buried her head. Amelia nodded. “Defer to Camden.”

“Exactly. Someone asks a question you don’t like? Look at Cam. See something you don’t understand? Look at Camden. Don’t have a damn thing to say? Camden is your golden ticket.”

Her throat ached. She nodded and must’ve looked unconvinced or ready to throw up.

Beth continued, “No one will know your dynamic or lack thereof. This will be the kind of party where subs defer to their doms, partners need permission, et cetera, et cetera. Okay? Just stay calm and quiet, and Camden will handle any rough patches.”

Amelia could do that.

Beth stepped back and assessed Amelia from head to toe. She flushed. She tried to clear her head, but all the uncertainties and unknowns bubbled into her glitter-and-lace-covered chest.

“I know what Esme explained, but I don’t entirely understand what we’re doing tonight.” She bit her bottom lip. “These might be people Hailey and Jonathan worked with. They might be a lead. But how will I even know if it is?”

“Don’t eat your lipstick,” Beth chided. “Have you ever gone to a party where you don’t know anyone—” Beth caught her expression. “Right, professional event planner. Of course you have, which means you know that situation where you have to go in and make a friend. You make small talk with people you might never see again. Do that until Esme tells you otherwise. She’ll know who Hailey and Jonathan circulated with.”

“But how will I know if someone says something important?”

“You won’t. You take information and debrief it with analysts.”

That actually made sense. She bit her lip again but stopped at Beth’s chiding voice in her head. “Do you think the people who took Hailey will be in the room?”

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