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Shayne steps up and stands on her toes, running her finger down the sheet, looking for our names.

But she doesn’t get far before her finger stops on mine.

Chapter 44 – HBIC

Nadia

“Shit, Na-na,” Shayne says, turning to me with a grin. “Look at you, Boss Bitch!”

My mouth falls open as I step close, staring at my name written next toChief Nursing Officer.

“No way,” I whisper, staring at it, thinking that it must be some mistake. But then I blush and step back, knowing that Dr. Arbroth doesn’tmakemistakes – not in situations like this. I shrug, glancing at my friends. “Nepotism strikes again, I guess.”

“Or you’re justgoodat this,” Grace says, laughing and putting her arm around me, proud.

I don’t even look up at Cole, knowing what his expression will be. Also knowing I’m not going to be able to handle it.

“I’m onprobation,” I murmur, shaking my head. “It shouldn’t be allowed.”

“No rules in times of war,” Shay says, pitching her voice all gruff like a grizzled soldier. Then she continues dragging her fingertip down the row of names, giving a little shout when she finds her name there. “Yay! Intake and triage! But…”

She frowns, getting to the end of the list, turning to Grace.

“You’re not…”

Grace shrugs. “I’ll be in the other tent then.”

“But Gracie,” Shay says, her shoulders slumping. “I want you here with us! Nadia, do something! You’re in charge!”

I laugh, putting my hands up. “Arbroth isfastidious, Shay. If she separated us, she did it for a reason. I’m not going to be the one to call her on it.”

“Cole!” Shayne says, turning to him next, a whine in her voice. “Pull your Prince card!”

“I save that for free dessert,” Cole says, grimacing. I grin, knowing that heabsolutelygets more than that for being a Prince. Still, he shakes his head. “Sorry, Shay.”

“It’s fine!” Grace says, laughing and moving towards the other tent. We follow as she checks the other list, which has no line of nurses waiting to find their assignments. “See? I’m sutures, minor wounds, and bandages. Perfect.”

“Fine,” Shay says with a sigh, giving in to the reality of our orders. She turns to Cole, tilting her head back to look at him. “What’s your job?”

Cole sighs and pats his gun fondly. “Guard.”

Shay rolls her eyes, wanting more information than that, but she barely gets to start a question before we’re interrupted by my father, who walks over, glaring between us. “Don’t you ladies havejobs?”

“Cole’s not a lady,” Shay says, displeased at the interruption.

Dad gives her a withering little glare, displeased in turn, and Shay gives him her best smile, fully unintimidated. But then she waves, turning to give Grace a hug before we send her off.

“You need to get inside, Nadia,” dad says, raising his eyebrow at me. “You have work to do.”

“Yes, sir,” I say. Still, I don’t move.

Dad rolls his eyes and heads into the wolf tent, indulging my stubborn behavior.

I take a moment to look up at Cole. “You good?”

“I’m fine,” Cole says, looking down at me, the corner of his lips curling just the tiniest bit. “Are you?”

I nod, meaning it. “Catch you for dinner?”