She walked into the BAU like she already belonged—confident, self-assured. The team gravitated toward her immediately, but I stayed at my desk, pretending to work. Even Hotch offered a rare smile and a nod of approval to her. I couldn’t shake the irritation that crawled up my spine every time she spoke.

Her voice was smooth, persuasive, but too confident. Too certain. And when she challenged my profile in the briefing? My jaw tightened. She was clever, but it grated on me—she was making it too easy for herself.

“Reid?”

I snapped out of my thoughts. She was looking at me, waiting for an answer.

“Yeah. I’ll handle it.”

I quickly looked away, hating how her gaze made my chest tighten. There was something about her that unsettled me. I didn’t like her. I couldn’t.