Page 36 of Shattered by Grace (The Locke Empire Duet #1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

V ictoria’s fingers hovered over her keyboard, finishing her notes. The hospital’s quiet hum was the only sound until Justin’s voice sliced through her concentration.

“Vic—Grace.”

Her head snapped around, her gaze locking onto him. He knew better than to use her real name.

“What are you talking about?” He asked sharply, his tone was laced with something she couldn’t quite place. Had he seen the text? Her stomach twisted.

Her pulse quickened as she tried to keep her expression steady. He was too close now. She could smell him, there was something metallic, it felt off. And his eyes were colder than usual, more guarded.

Turning to face him, she noticed the large bodyguard standing behind him, his silent presence pressing against her like a weight. She couldn’t keep playing this game in front of her colleagues. Her heart raced, but she forced herself to stay calm.

“I can’t believe you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, shaking with the storm inside her. “You were never helping me. I overheard you talking with your boss.”

Justin’s eyes darkened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just talking with Mr. Locke about my girlfriend. Asking for time off to take her to dinner. They’re running background checks on her. That’s all.”

Victoria’s blood boiled at the lie. Her gaze flickered back to the bodyguard, imposing but silent, and then back to Justin, her thoughts a whirlwind of suspicion.

“Background checks?” Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to stand firm. “What’s really going on, Justin?”

Her stomach twisted in knots. Am I overreacting? Her mind raced, every instinct telling her she was surrounded by danger, but was it all in her head? Was she just stressed? Her emotions were raw, the anxiety tightening around her chest like a vice.

“I’m sorry, Justin. I’m just… stressed,” she finally said, the words bitter on her tongue. She tried to steady her breath, pushing the discomfort aside.

Justin’s jaw clenched, and for a brief second, something flickered in his eyes. “Yeah,” he said, voice tight. “You do seem on edge. Maybe you should take some time off. Get some rest.”

The way he said it made her skin crawl. A suggestion, but also a warning.

Her pulse pounded in her ears. I will not let you play me like a pawn.

Keeping her tone even, she forced a smile, though every part of her screamed to escape. “Alright, Justin,” she said. “We’ll talk later.”

The bodyguard’s dark eyes were fixed on her. She felt the weight of his gaze tracking her as she turned on her heel and walked away, her pulse pounding in her ears. Stay calm. Think this through.

She caught a glimpse of the ink on his forearm, two tally marks beside a dagger.

Low rank. So why does Justin need protection?

What is he up to? The sudden need for a bodyguard, his vague answers…none of it added up. Her gut twisted with a silent warning.

She couldn’t trust Justin. Not anymore.

Pulling out her phone, she dialed Detective Adams.

“This is Detective Adams. I’m sorry I missed your call. Please leave your name and number with a brief message, and I’ll return your call.”

She clenched her jaw. Ugh. Fuck you. You haven’t called me back the last two times.

She hung up without leaving a message.

Several hours into her twelve-hour shift, Victoria was still reeling from her encounter with Justin. Every minute felt like an hour, and the tension in her shoulders only grew. She barely noticed Taylor until she burst into the room, practically vibrating with energy.

“I have a date! I have a date! I HHHAAAAVVVVEEEE a date!” Taylor sang, spinning in circles like a whirlwind. Her grin stretched from ear to ear, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Victoria couldn’t help but smile, her lips curving despite the storm brewing inside her. “Congratulations, Taylor, that’s amazing!” she said, the words more genuine than she expected. She paused for a moment, then added, “I… actually have a date, too.”

Taylor froze, wide-eyed with surprise. “Wait, what? You? A date?!”

Victoria nodded, the smallest smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah… It’s a long story.”

Taylor practically bounced in place. “Oh my god, this is so exciting!” She twirled again, then stopped, concern flashing across her face when she noticed Victoria’s more subdued expression.

“Why aren’t you happy dancing? What’s wrong, Grace?”

Victoria felt the urge to confide in someone, to let it all out. “Can you start late?” she blurted, her voice shaky. “I need to talk. I could really use someone to talk to.”

Taylor’s playful tone shifted instantly to earnest concern. “Of course! Let me tell the shift lead,” she said, reaching out to squeeze Victoria’s arm. “I’m here for you, Grace. Just hang tight, okay?”

Victoria nodded, the weight on her chest easing just a little. Maybe talking to someone would help her figure out what to do next.

The two women sat in a dimly lit corner of a coffee shop, the scent of espresso and the murmur of hushed conversations filling the air.

Victoria’s gaze darted around the room, scanning for any familiar faces.

Every nerve in her body screamed that she was being watched, that a Locke guard, Tristan, Tyson, or even Justin, could walk through the door at any moment.

Taylor leaned in, her brow creased with concern. “Grace, you’re seriously freaking me out. What’s going on?”

Victoria took a shaky breath, her fingers gripping the edge of her cup so tightly her knuckles turned white. She knew she had to tell Taylor the truth, but the words felt like lead in her throat. She started slowly, carefully.

“I trust you with everything, and that’s why I need to tell you some very hard and uncomfortable things about me.” She swallowed, steadying herself. “But first… my name is Victoria Grace. And I’ll explain, but I need to start with last night.”

Taylor leaned in, concern flickering in her eyes.

“After you left… things got complicated. With Tristan.”

Taylor’s eyes widened. “What do you mean? Did he hurt you?”

“No,” Victoria whispered, shaking her head.

“It’s not that. It’s… I like him, and I know I shouldn’t.

” She exhaled, the weight of her next words pressing down on her.

“He’s not just involved with dangerous people, Taylor.

He’s the heir to a criminal empire. The Lockes don’t just have power, they own this city from the shadows.

And somehow, I’ve gotten myself tangled up in all of it. ”

Taylor didn’t make a sound, so Victoria pressed on.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to continue.

“I told you my father was killed, but I didn’t tell you who did it.

” Her fingers trembled against the ceramic cup.

“It was the Locke family.” The words sliced through her like a blade.

“I was down the hall when they murdered him. I thought I was next.”

Taylor’s breath hitched. “Jesus, Grace…”

Victoria barely heard her. The past was unspooling in her mind, raw and vivid.

“They took me. I fought like hell, but they knocked me out. When I woke up… I was in the back seat of a car.” Her voice dropped lower, steady but filled with the memory.

“I don’t know what they had planned for me, but I remember one of them saying they couldn’t touch me because the market wouldn’t like it. ”

She inhaled sharply. “After I escaped, I was put into witness protection, given a new name, a new life. That’s how I became Grace Scarlett.”

A heavy silence settled between them. Taylor’s face had gone pale, her mouth slightly open in shock. “What… what are you saying?”

“I came back to the city because I thought ten years was enough time to be safe,” Victoria said, regret lacing her voice. “I thought I could start over. But I walked right back into the same family that murdered my father… and now I’m falling for one of his sons.”

She exhaled slowly, the weight of her words pressing down on her.

“The Lockes are at the center of everything. Underground fights, drugs, and trafficking. I can’t even trust the police.

” Her throat tightened. “And Justin, my childhood friend is working for them, but not for the reasons they think.” She paused, biting her lip.

“He’s trying to take them down, gather evidence to expose everything they’re doing.

He’s always wanted to be a cop. But I don’t know if I can trust him anymore.

Just hours ago…” Her stomach twisted. “I saw him talking to Mr. Locke. And now I don’t know where his loyalties lie. ”

Taylor shook her head in disbelief. “Grace, are you serious? This sounds… I don’t even know what to say.”

“It’s messed up. And I’m stupid for coming back. An even bigger dumbass for falling for one of them.” Victoria covered her face as tears slowly started to fall.

Taylor leaned forward, her expression softening with sincerity.

“Listen to me, Gra— I mean, Victoria. Wow, that’s going to take some getting used to.

” She shook her head, but her focus returned to Victoria’s eyes.

“You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for.

You didn’t choose this, none of it. You’ve been thrown into a world of danger and lies, and yet here you are, standing, fighting, and still caring.

You’re not stupid. You’re human. And being human means making mistakes and feeling things you can’t control. But that doesn’t make you weak.”

She paused, locking eyes with Victoria. “And as for falling for someone like Tristan? That doesn’t make you a dumbass either.

It makes you real. You can’t help who you’re drawn to, but you can choose what you do next.

And knowing you, I have no doubt you’re going to figure it out.

You don’t back down, Victoria. You never have.

So don’t you dare think for a second that you’ve lost control. You’re not the one who’s lost here.”