Mission Pretty Possible Chapter 16.4 (Patreon)

But Sam wasn’t having it. He leaned forward, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Look, babe, you walk in as Ethan? Everyone freezes. You walk in as someone else…” He wagged a finger. “Then you actually have a shot.”

Claire raised a brow. “Someone else?”

Sam grinned wider — that dangerous, knowing grin Ethan had learned to fear. “Oh, I don’t know… maybe someone like…” He rested a hand under his chin dramatically. “Elena.”

Ethan and Claire stared at him.

Sam continued, savoring the moment. “Think about it. Elena walks into the lab — no one bats an eyelash. Half of them won’t even look up from their centrifuges. But Ethan? Five alarm fire.”

Claire let out a nervous chuckle. “You must be joking Sam, correct?”

Sam pointed at her. “I am not joking. That disguise was criminally convincing. Honestly, if Ethan weren’t straight and deeply repressed, he could’ve won the pageant.”

Ethan groaned. “Sam…”

But Sam suddenly softened, sincerity slipping through the sass. “Listen, baby boy… I know you hate the idea. I know it’s insane. But sometimes insane is the only thing smart enough to work. And you walking in there as a stranger? That’s the way to catch someone who thinks they’re smarter than everyone.”

Ethan was unnervingly quiet. The idea was horrifying. Ridiculous. Embarrassing. Beyond extreme. And yet—It made sense.