Page 36 of Grim

Grim waited until Sophia disappeared down the hallway and the shower started running before he finally pulled out his phone. He dialed.

Stone answered on the first ring. “Talk to me.”

“Reaper in the parking garage,” Grim said, voice low and lethal. “Came out from behind a pillar. Got a hit on me and ran.”

Stone swore under his breath. “Ledger’s been digging through Reyes’s phone all night. Found some encrypted files. Locked tight.”

Grim straightened. “Encrypted?”

“Yeah. He thinks they’re photos,” Stone said. “Something Reyes saw. Something worth killing him over.”

Grim’s jaw flexed. “He’ll crack it.”

“He’s working on it now.”

There was a pause, then Stone continued, “I’ve got prospects keeping eyes on a few Reapers. Vandal and Ghost are tailing two of their runners. No movement yet, but they’re watching.”

Grim nodded to himself. “Good choices. They’re steady.”

“Brick’s out tomorrow,” Stone added. “Doc says he’s hurt, but he’ll heal.”

Grim exhaled slowly. “Good.”

“And we’re talking about patching Ghost in,” Stone said. “Turns out he was a big reason there were no civilian casualties at La Luna. Got a lot of people to safety.”

Grim didn’t hesitate. “He’s earned it. Put in his time. He’s ready.”

“Also brought up Switchblade’s patch. I think it’s time.” Stone said.

“I agree, he’s reliable, steady,” Grim stated, “He should have been brought in a while ago.”

“That’s what I told the table.”

Another pause.

Then Stone’s voice dropped. “Sophia’s the target, Grim. Not Amanda. Not the hospital. Her.”

Grim’s grip tightened around the phone. “I know.”

“Stay with her,” Stone said. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”

“I’m not leaving,” Grim said quietly.

He hung up and walked to the couch. Sophia’s house was small, warm, lived-in. Family photos lined the walls—her with her brothers, her parents, her grandmother. A crocheted blanket draped over the back of the couch. A candle on the coffee table that smelled like vanilla and something sweet.

Grim sat down slowly. He looked around. And something in his chest ached. He had never belonged anywhere. Not like this. Not in a place filled with warmth and laughter and memories. Not in a place that felt like home.

He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, listening to the shower run, the soft hum of her house settling around him.

For the first time in a long time, he wanted something he didn’t know how to name.

Chapter 12

Sophia

Sophia woke early, sunlight spilling through her curtains in soft golden stripes. She stretched, rubbed her eyes, and padded into the living room.

Grim was already awake. Of course he was.