Page 36 of Code Name: Grit

“Thanks a lot.”

“I meant it as a compliment.”

“Whatever,” I said under my breath. “But I need you to not interfere,” I said, fixing him with a hard stare. “I won’t forgiveyou if you try to pull me from this mission because you’re worried about me.”

He held up his hands. “I haven’t. I won’t. I promise.”

“You tried.”

He nodded. “Honestly, not very hard. My wife pointing it out made me realize I was overstepping.”

I felt a sharp pain at the mention of his relationship with Lark. I so wanted that with Grit.

“I’m worried he’s going to ask for me to be reassigned,” I admitted, voicing my deepest fear. “That he won’t want to keep working with me because of this…attraction between us. He might even want me removed entirely. Like, fired.”

“He wouldn’t dare.” Dante smiled, then grew serious. “However, I have an idea.”

“What?”

“When we go back in there, I’ll pull Admiral and Grit aside. I’ll recommend you shift gears—suggest you work with Tank or Atticus instead. I’ll even propose sending Dragon undercover with Grit.”

My stomach dropped. “Why would you do that?”

“To see his reaction.” His smile was mischievous. “If he takes me up on it, you’ll know where you stand.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

“You’ll know even more.”

I considered it, then shook my head. “That’s manipulative.”

“It’s efficient,” he countered. “Besides, do you really think he’d agree to let you work with someone else?”

The hope that flared in my chest was dangerous. “I don’t know.”

“I do.” He stood, offering me his hand. “Trust me on this one, Lumi. The way that man looks at you when he thinks no one is watching—he’s not letting you go anywhere.”

Back inside the command center,the team had broken into smaller groups. I joined Dragon near a digital display showing surveillance footage from Little Italy, while Dante approached Admiral and Grit as promised.

I tried to focus on what Dragon was saying, but my attention kept drifting to the three men across the room. Dante’s expression was serious, Admiral looked surprised, and Grit—his face had darkened like a thundercloud.

Alice joined our conversation, sharing details about the encrypted messages she’d found, but I caught only fragments. My pulse quickened as Grit abruptly stood and stalked toward me.

“We need to talk,” he said, his voice low and tight. “Now.”

Dragon and Alice exchanged glances and discreetly turned away as Grit guided me outside, to a small clearing in the woods just beyond the command center.

“Did you ask Dante to intervene and get you reassigned?” he demanded the moment we were alone.

“No.” I crossed my arms. “He suggested it.”

His jaw tightened. “Is that what you want?”

The vulnerability behind his anger caught me off guard. “Is that whatIwant?”

“You know, to work with someone else. Tank or Atticus?”

I chose my next words carefully. “What I want is to not be pushed aside every time you’re afraid of what’s happening between us.”