Page 56 of Code Name: Grit

“Of course I have a personal stake!” I stood up, anger flaring. “That’s preciselywhymy perspective matters. I understand these people in ways none of you ever will.”

“Or maybe your history with them is exactly what’s clouding your judgment right now.”

“Clouding my judgment? Are you fucking kidding me?” I said through clenched teeth. “Trusting my instincts and correctly analyzing situations is what kept me alive. But clearly, you don’t trust that.”

His eyes narrowed. “I trust you. I just don’t trust the situation.”

“That’s a convenient distinction.”

“What do you want from me, Lumi? To let you walk into potential danger because you have a hunch?”

“I want you to stop treating me like I’m something fragile that needs to be protected. I’ve survived twenty-six years on my own. I didn’t join K19 to be locked away at the first sign of trouble.”

“And I didn’t bring you into this team to watch you get yourself killed because you’re too stubborn to accept help!” His voice rose despite his obvious effort to stay calm.

“Is that what I am to you?” I asked quietly. “A responsibility? A burden?”

“You know that’s not?—”

“Because I’ve spent my life being someone’s burden, someone’s secret. I won’t be yours too.”

The silence that followed was deafening. When Grit spoke again, his voice was controlled, measured.

“Two days. That was our agreement. After that, we reassess.” He moved toward the door. “In the meantime, you might want to consider that not everyone who wants to protect you sees you as a burden.”

He left without another word, the door closing firmly behind him. I sank back into my chair, the fight draining out of me, replaced by a hollow ache in my chest.

As evening fell,I retreated to the bedroom where I’d been staying while at the great camp, exhaustion and frustration weighing heavily on me. I stood at the window, staring out at the moonlight. The beauty of Canada Lake had initially felt like freedom. Now, it was just another gilded cage.

A soft knock broke my reverie.

“It’s me,” Grit’s voice called softly.

I considered ignoring him, but eventually, opened the door. He stood there, his expression unreadable.

“May I come in?”

I stepped aside without a word.

“You were digging through the Belcastro files all day,” he said, remaining near the entrance.

“Just trying to understand what we’re up against,” I replied neutrally.

He studied me for a moment. “You still think there’s something more at play.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway. “I don’t think we have the full picture.”

“Lumi—”

“It’s fine,” I cut him off. “I’m not asking you to agree with me.”

“I just want to understand what you’re doing.”

“My job,” I said. “Analyzing intelligence. Looking for patterns. That’s why Admiral brought me on, isn’t it?”

Grit sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t want this to turn into another argument.”

“Then, apologize.”