Page 16 of Grim

Switchblade’s gaze flicked to Stone, waiting for orders, ready to move. Grim noted it. Prospects like that were rare.

Ledger clicked. “Day shift: Amanda Lewis. Night shift: Sophia Martinez.”

Grim’s pulse kicked, and his body tightened.

Sophia.

Stone looked at him. “You know her?”

Grim didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

Havoc blew out a breath, tension bleeding off just enough for him to smirk. “Oh yeah, she was in the ER when we arrived. She called him Maddox, and he damn near melted.”

Grim shot him a look that could’ve peeled paint.

Rook huffed a quiet laugh. “Didn’t think anything could rattle you.”

Ledger didn’t look up. “I bet she was also competent. Which is probably why Grim’s spiraling.”

“I’m not spiraling,” Grim snapped.

Fish shifted in the corner, just a slight tilt of his head, the kind he did when he was cataloging threats. His gaze flicked to Grim’s cut, then to the tension in Grim’s shoulders. He didn’t comment, but the assessment was clear: Grim was off-balance. And that was dangerous.

Havoc leaned back in his chair. “Brother, you froze like a statue when she touched you. I thought you were gonna pass out.” Havoc smirked. “Never seen you go still like that. Impressive, honestly.”

Stone raised a brow. “She touched you?”

Grim glared at all of them. “Shut up.”

Stone cleared his throat. Everyone shut up instantly.

“Switchblade,” Stone said, turning toward the prospect near the door. “You take Amanda. Stay close. Blend in. Don’t screw it up.”

Switchblade straightened. “Yes, sir.” He didn’t puff up or grin like the younger prospects would’ve. He just nodded once, sharp and clean, accepting the responsibility like it was weight he’d carried before. Grim respected that about him. Switchblade didn’t chase attention. He chased the job.

“Havoc,” Stone continued, “you’re on standby for him. If anything goes sideways, you move.”

Havoc nodded. “Got it.”

Stone turned to Grim. “You take Sophia.”

Havoc snorted. “Of course he does.”

Stone ignored him. “She’s night shift. Reyes is unstable. If the Reapers make a move, it’ll be when the hospital’s quiet.”

Grim didn’t argue. Stone didn’t pick him by accident. Grim was the most lethal man in the room, the one who didn’t hesitate, the one Stone trusted when the stakes were highest.

Stone’s gaze sharpened. “You good for this?”

Grim’s jaw ticked. “I’m fine.”

Havoc grinned. “Yeah, you look real fine. Totally not thinking about that nurse who said your government name.”

Grim didn’t bother responding. He walked out, helmet in hand, the cut on his arm throbbing in time with his pulse.

Fish’s eyes followed him to the door, quiet, unreadable, but watchful.

Switchblade watched too, posture straight, expression steady. He didn’t hover or pry. Just took in the room, took in Grim, the way a man did when he understood the stakes without needing them spelled out.