Page 2 of Shattered by Grace (The Locke Empire Duet #1)
Chapter One
V ictoria's eyes shot open and she jolted up in bed, gasping for breath.
She frantically threw off the blankets, her hands shaking as she pushed damp strands of hair away from her sweaty face.
"FUCK!" she muttered, gripping the sheets tightly.
Forcing herself to take slower, deeper breaths, she got up from bed and walked over to the window.
The sight of the city intensified her nightmare.
The skyline, usually a source of comfort, now loomed ominously, reminding her of that traumatic night ten years ago.
She pressed her forehead against the cool glass, trying to calm the storm inside her mind.
The distant hum of traffic and the occasional honk of a car horn seemed to echo the chaos she felt within.
Victoria stood frozen for what felt like hours before finally grabbing her phone from the desk.
“Damn, it's already three a.m. tomorrow is about to be the longest day of my life,” she grumbles knowing she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep. This nightmare has been happening every night for the past week since moving back to the city.
Victoria placed the phone back down and walked over to the dresser, pulling out a pair of leggings and a hoodie. Her unruly blonde hair, damp with sweat, was gathered and twisted into a messy top knot with practiced ease.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pulled on her shoes, each lace tightened with a touch of frustration. Her thoughts swirled like a storm inside her mind. If only I could just fall back asleep, she thought, a sigh escaping her lips. Why does this keep happening to me?
The tranquil streets stood in stark contrast to the chaos of Victoria's thoughts.
She set off into the night, her sneakers slapping against the pavement with a steady rhythm that resonated through the stillness.
Each step was a desperate attempt to outrun the nightmare that plagued her, a race against time to leave her troubled past behind.
The chilly night air seeped into her lungs with each inhale, sharpening her focus and quieting the turmoil within.
As she ran, her gaze drifted up to the sky, which faintly glowed with the distant twinkle of stars.
It was a sight she rarely saw in the city, unlike back home, where the starry expanse above was a constant reminder of peace and tranquility.
She refocused, running through the combinations her father drilled into her…double jab, cross, hook, cross.
As she took a detour down Empire Lane, the familiar sight of the hospital she would start at tomorrow loomed ahead.
She found her apartment days after she accepted her position at Empire Health Center as one of the head midwives at the center.
She loved that she could run or walk after long shifts to clear her mind.
Continuing to run past the hospital she observed the environment, noting the emergency entrance and the rows of windows glowing faintly with interior lights.
She continued along the side of the hospital, the rhythmic pounding of her feet a steady counterpoint to the chaos in her mind.
As she took a right turn onto Flexner, heading towards Main Street, she noticed a neon sign glowing in the distance.
The Lockhold Training Center, open twenty-four hours, it has large windows revealing rows of exercise machines and training equipment.
Intrigued, Victoria stopped outside the center, debating whether to go in. The cool night air brushed against her skin, sending a slight shiver down her spine. Victoria, NO, she chastised herself. It's three a.m., you need to sleep before work.
She hugged herself, feeling the chill of the early morning and the weight of exhaustion settling in her muscles. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit street, catching sight of a lone figure emerging from the gym. Can't sleep either?, she thought, a flicker of empathy stirring within her.
Glancing both ways, she sprinted across the street, her sneakers slapping against the pavement. The quiet of the city enveloped her, making her feel both vulnerable and exhilarated as she approached the gym's entrance.
The smell of the gym hit her like a flying punch to the face, a potent mix of sweat, rubber mats, and the faint metallic tang of equipment. The gym was deserted, its emptiness amplifying the echo of her footsteps on the polished floor.
The layout was familiar, reminiscent of other gyms she had trained in.
In the center stood a large boxing ring, its ropes slightly worn from countless matches.
Heavy bags hung in a row, swaying gently as if moved by an invisible breeze.
Weights were neatly racked along one wall, gleaming under the dim overhead lights.
Victoria’s gaze wandered over the gym’s layout, her steps echoing in the vast, empty space.
Full-length mirrors lined the walls, their reflective surfaces multiplying her solitary figure.
The silence of the room was thick, broken only by the faint, rhythmic thud of her sneakers against the floor.
As she moved through the space, her reflection brought a rush of nostalgia, conjuring memories of intense training sessions with her father.
She could almost hear his stern yet encouraging voice, guiding her through jab combinations and defensive maneuvers.
Lost in thought, she was jolted back to reality by a deep, resonant voice. “Can I help you, miss?”
Victoria jumped, her heart leaping in her chest. She turned quickly to find a tall, broad-shouldered man standing at the entrance, his eyes fixed on her with a mix of curiosity and professionalism.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, her voice betraying her surprise. “I didn’t see you when I came in. I just?—”
“Couldn’t sleep?” the assistant guessed, his tone gentle but perceptive. “It’s a common thing. The gym’s open twenty-four/seven, so you’re free to use it whenever you need. I’m Casey.”
Victoria nodded, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. Following Casey up to the front desk to fill out the form for the pass. “Hey do you have any tape or wraps I can buy?”
“No, we don’t, but I have some sitting around. I’ll get it for you while you fill this stuff out,” Casey said, offering a reassuring smile before heading to the back.
Victoria's grip on the pen tightened as she glared at the form in front of her. It was just a form. Name, address, emergency contact. But to her, it might as well have been a loaded gun with her real name etched into the barrel..
In that small space for a name, she could feel the weight of her past and present colliding. The name ‘ Victoria Grace’ taunted her, bringing back memories of that terrible night when she was fifteen. A night that changed everything.
She couldn't use that name anymore, not after what happened. Not after she fought her way out of hell and reinvented herself as ‘ Grace Scarlett’ . She suppressed a shudder, trying to push away the memories of being knocked out and waking up in a moving car, hurtling towards danger.
But she refused to be a victim, using her father's rigorous training to break free from the car and escape into the night with determination.
She navigated the city with precision, the streets familiar to her thanks to her father's strict teachings.
And they led her to safety that night, heart racing as she ran through the urban maze.
The memory of Detective Adams' presence still haunted her like a suffocating storm cloud, his gruff voice echoing in her mind: “ You are now Grace Scarlett. ” The name was a desperate attempt to leave behind the horrors of her past life.
Even now, she could still feel the bruises on her body and the paralyzing fear as she raced through the dark city streets, fighting for her life with every step.
You’re safe now , she reminded herself, trying to shake off the lingering fear. You’re Grace Scarlett. You’ve built a new life . But the city was a constant reminder of her past, and every corner seemed to whisper the name she had left behind.
Victoria took a deep breath, grounding herself in the present. The gym’s fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead, the smell of rubber mats and sweat filling the air. It was a far cry from the sterile safety of her apartment, but it was real, tangible.
She filled out the form with practiced ease, writing Grace Scarlett in neat, precise letters. As she did, Casey returned with a roll of athletic tape and a set of wraps, placing them on the counter with a friendly nod.
“Here you go. These should do the trick,” Casey said, handing her items gently.
Victoria forced a smile, grateful for the distraction. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Need any help getting started?” Casey asked, his tone friendly and welcoming.
“Actually, yeah,” she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “I could use a rundown of the equipment. It’s been a while since I’ve trained properly.”
“Sure thing. Follow me,” Casey said, leading her toward the training area.
As they walked, Victoria took one last glance at the form on the counter, the name Grace Scarlett standing out starkly against the white paper. She squared her shoulders, ready to face whatever came next.