Page 38 of Shattered by Grace (The Locke Empire Duet #1)

Chapter Thirty

S he was still at the little coffee shop.

Victoria’s chest tightened as she watched Taylor walk back toward the hospital, her friend’s concerned words still echoing in her ears.

Relief at finally sharing her secret was quickly overshadowed by fear of what might happen now that Taylor knew.

What if someone found out? What if they used Taylor to get to her?

She turned back to the coffee shop, pushing the door open with a heavy sigh. Ordering another coffee, she settled into a corner booth by the window, her gaze unfocused as she stared outside.

It had started to rain, droplets tapping softly against the glass. Rain hadn’t even been on the radar today, she thought absently, stirring her coffee, lost in its rhythm.

“Victoria.”

Her heart leaped at the sound of a voice she hadn’t heard in a long time. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to see Detective Adams standing at the end of her table, his expression guarded.

Victoria made the slightest move to stand, but Detective Adams quickly raised his hand, signaling her to stay seated. He slipped into the seat across from her, his eyes scanning the coffee shop, taking in every corner and shadow before settling back on her.

What the fuck? What is he doing here?

She sat frozen, the tension between them thick as the rain began to tap against the window. An insistent, rhythmic reminder of how everything seemed to be closing in.

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a worn file, placing it on the table between them.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m here,” he began, his voice low and steady. “Victoria, you’re in a lot of danger. I warned you about coming back.”

Her breath hitched, but not from fear. Aanger flared hot in her chest, searing through the lingering traces of doubt. She clenched her fists under the table, her nails biting into her palms as she stared him down.

“Oh, now you decide to show up? Months of radio silence, and you waltz in here just to tell me something I already know?” Her voice was low but sharp, laced with the frustration that had been simmering for far too long.

“I’ve been calling you. I’ve been waiting for you to call me back. Where the hell have you been, Adams?”

Adams let out a slow breath, his gaze steady, unaffected by her outburst. He didn’t flinch, didn’t bristle, just absorbed her anger like he expected it.

“I get it,” he said, his voice even. “You have every right to be pissed. But I didn’t have a choice.” He tapped a finger against the worn file between them. “I was out. Medical leave. Surgery.”

His eyes flickered with something unreadable, just for a second, before he continued.

“And before you ask, no, I didn’t ignore your calls on purpose.

I wasn’t in any shape to help you then.” He exhaled, leaning in slightly.

“But I am now. And I need you to listen to me, Victoria. This is bigger than you think.”

Victoria scoffed, shaking her head. “You didn’t think to text someone and let them know? Or better yet, switch me to someone who could’ve actually helped?” Her voice was sharp, frustration curling around every word.

She let out a long breath, the fire in her gaze dimming just slightly as concern slipped in. “Everything okay with you? Are you okay?”

Adams exhaled slowly, nodding. “I’m okay now, thanks for asking.” He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers, intensity darkening his features.

“I’ve gotten word that the Grand Reaping is happening in two weeks.”

Victoria frowned, confusion flickering across her face. That doesn’t make sense. Tony said it was next month… and that was…what? Oh wow, two weeks ago . She rubbed her forehead, frustration mounting.

“I know,” she admitted, exhaling sharply.

“I stumbled upon the gym Tristan and Tyson are part of, and if you had called me back, you would’ve known that already.

” She shot him a pointed look before taking a steadying breath.

“I’ve been working to get closer to them, to gather intel.

As far as I can tell, they have zero idea who I really am. At least, I think they don’t.”

Adams’ expression hardened. “Hang on a damn minute. You’re in close proximity to the twins? How deep are you in? And who the hell is Tony?”

“Tony is the gym trainer. I work out with him a few times a week. I’ve been doing it for the last year. I don’t know much, I’ve been a little… distracted at the gym. Something to discuss at a later time.”

Victoria clenched her jaw. Not like I’m about to admit the real problem. I was supposed to keep Tristan out of my heart. I mean, head. She forced the thought away, refusing to dwell on it.

Her fingers tightened around her coffee cup, the pressure building until her hand ached. The unease from earlier in the conversation bubbled up again, heavier now. She couldn’t push it away any longer.

Her heart pounded louder, her mouth suddenly dry.

She forced herself to swallow. “It’s worse than that,” she admitted, her voice quieter, as if saying it aloud might make it all more real.

“Someone broke into my apartment last night… All they took were pictures of me and my dad, and my ruby necklace. The one he gave me when I was younger.” She paused, her throat tightening. “What does that mean?”

Adams’ face darkened, his brows furrowing.

He glanced around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping before leaning in.

“If it’s them, they suspect you’re Victor Grace’s daughter and are trying to make the connection,” he said quietly.

“They’re letting you know they can get to you whenever they want.

They’re playing with you, Victoria,trying to rattle you, make you slip up. ”

Her hands trembled around her coffee cup.

She released it, afraid her shaking would betray just how rattled she really was.

“I won’t lie, I am rattled.” She hesitated, the words heavy on her tongue.

“I’ve had someone follow me twice now.” A beat of silence passed before she admitted, “And I… I told a friend the truth. Someone I trust. But now, I’m afraid I’ve put her in danger. ”

Adams nodded slowly, his face serious. “Since coming back from medical leave, I’ve been getting up to speed on the Lockes, Victoria,” he admitted. “That’s why I’m here, to make sure you’re safe. I didn’t know about the break-in or them following you, but it’s clear they’re planning something.”

Victoria’s mind raced. “So have you been the one following me?”

That wouldn’t make sense if he just got back from leave.

“No, it hasn’t been me.” He pushed the folder across the table toward her. “I’m not supposed to give you this, but it’s everything we pulled from your dad’s office fifteen years ago. You might find something in there that we missed.”

Oh shit.

Adams leaned in closer, his voice barely a whisper. “You have to be smarter than them. Stay under the radar. Don’t go to the same places. Vary your routines. Keep your guard up at all times. If they sense even a hint of your fear, they’ll use it against you.”

Victoria nodded, but doubt gnawed at her. “And what if they come after me again? What if they find me before you do?”

Adams’ gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of empathy breaking through his hardened exterior. “Then you call me the second anything happens. Don’t try to handle it on your own. We’re working on new leads, trying to find out exactly who’s behind this… but I need you to be safe. And careful.”

“What about Justin Virelli?” Victoria asked cautiously.

Adams’ brow furrowed, his confusion obvious. “Your old neighbor?”

“Yes,” she replied, her voice tightening. “He told me he was working undercover in the Locke family. He said the Lockes have the police in their pockets… but that he’s still gathering evidence on them.”

Adams leaned forward, his expression serious. “Victoria, Justin Virelli, to my knowledge, has never been assigned to the Lockes or gone undercover. If he was involved with this case, it wasn’t through any official channels.”

A chill ran down Victoria’s spine. “But he told me he’s been trying to collect enough evidence to bring them down when the time is right.”

Adams’ face darkened, his jaw tightening. “That sounds like a good story. But here’s the problem. There’s no record of him doing anything except disappearing. If he’s really going after the Lockes, it’s on his own terms. And that makes him a rogue element.”

Victoria swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. “He… he was sending intel to someone he trusted in the force, claiming he was close to getting something big.”

Adams shook his head, a hint of frustration in his tone. “I wouldn’t trust anything he says at this point. If he’s out there, off the grid, claiming to take down a family like the Lockes on his own… he could be trying to get closer to them, or worse, he’s already working for them.”

A wave of dread washed over her. “You think he might be playing both sides?” Her voice was tight because she already knew the answer but needed someone to confirm it.

Adams nodded slowly. “It’s possible. People like the Lockes don’t just let a threat like that walk away. If Justin’s still alive and walking freely, it means one of two things… he’s either very lucky and has a lot of money or he’s made an inside deal.”

Victoria’s breath snagged, her fear slicing deeper. “What do I do?”

“Keep your distance,” Adams urged, his tone firm. “If he contacts you again, don’t trust him. Let me know immediately. We need to find out what game he’s playing, and whose side he’s really on.”

She nodded, feeling the knot in her stomach tighten. “Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll try to be careful.” But I can’t make any promises.

As Adams stood to leave,Victoria replayed every conversation with Justin, every word now twisted through a different lens. The breadcrumbs had always been there. It hadn’t been a coincidence. He’d been guiding her, carefully, deliberately… all while pretending to protect her. And she let him.