Page 60 of Grim

Lacey.

“Oh my God, Sophia!” she squealed, pulling her into a hug. “You’re here! I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon!”

Sophia blinked, startled but smiling. Grim’s hand slid to her waist, steadying her.

Lacey pulled back, hands on Sophia’s shoulders. “You look adorable. And well-rested. And Grim looks like he slept for the first time in ten years.”

Grim groaned. “Lacey.”

She ignored him completely. “Come on, I made pancakes.”

Sophia laughed. “Sounds great.”

Lacey looped her arm through Sophia’s and dragged her toward the kitchen. Grim followed, close enough that she could feel his presence at her back, warm and protective and constant.

Lacey tugged her into the kitchen, and Sophia nearly collided with a woman she hadn’t seen before.

She was average height, dark-haired, with soft brown eyes and a quiet steadiness that reminded Sophia of nurses who’d been in the field for years. A faint curve pressed against the fabric of her shirt, small and early and unmistakable.

Rook was standing behind her, one hand resting lightly at the small of her back, protective in a way that softened every hard line of his face.

The woman smiled warmly. “You must be Sophia. I’m Avery.”

Sophia returned the smile. “Hi. It’s really nice to meet you.”

Avery’s gaze swept over her gently, assessing without judgment. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Rook snorted. “From Lacey.”

“From everyone,” Avery corrected, elbowing him lightly. Then, to Sophia, “I’m glad you’re here. Breakfast gets chaotic, but it’s the best way to meet everyone.”

Lacey beamed. “Avery made the cinnamon rolls. And she’s glowing today.”

Avery rolled her eyes, cheeks warming. “I’m pregnant, Lacey. I’m not a lightbulb.”

Rook’s hand slid to her hip, thumb brushing her side. “You’re glowing.”

Avery swatted at him, but she was smiling. “Sit, Sophia. Eat. If Grim lets you breathe long enough.”

Grim muttered something under his breath that made Rook smirk.

Sophia laughed, the tension in her chest easing as she took a seat beside Lacey. Avery and Rook settled across from her, warm and welcoming.

The table was already crowded.

Fish. Ledger. Havoc, loudly arguing with a prospect. Stone, calm and steady and watching everything.

Grim took the seat beside her, close enough that their knees brushed. Every time someone walked by, he subtly shifted, positioning himself between her and the room without making it obvious.

Lacey leaned in, whispering loudly, “He’s been like this all morning. Hovering. It’s adorable.”

Sophia felt her cheeks warm. Grim’s hand brushed her thigh under the table, not possessive, just grounding.

As they ate, the guys drifted in and out of conversation.

Rook asked about her job. Havoc cracked jokes that made her snort into her coffee. Fish listened more than he spoke, but when he did speak, it was thoughtful. Havoc tried to convince her he was the club’s “most responsible member,” which made everyone choke. Stone watched her with quiet approval, like he was measuring how she fit into the room.

At one point, Grim leaned in close, his breath warm against her ear. “You okay?”