Page 44 of Shattered by Grace (The Locke Empire Duet #1)

Chapter Thirty-Five

V ictoria stared at the message on her screen, the weight of Tristan’s words sinking in like a stone in her chest.

Tristan

As much as I want to take you up on that offer, I’m currently busy.

Her fingers curled around her phone, debating whether to respond. But what was the point? She let out a breath, too tired to be angry, too frustrated to let it go. Instead, she dropped her phone onto the table with a soft thud and leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling.

Taylor, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside her, arched a brow. “That bad?”

Victoria exhaled sharply. “Do we have any more wine?”

Taylor didn’t answer right away. Instead, she studied Victoria with a look that was equal parts concern and knowing. “You’re deflecting.”

“I’m adapting.”

A slow smile spread across Taylor’s face as she shook her head, pushing herself up and disappearing into the kitchen. A moment later, she returned with an open bottle of red, dropping down beside Victoria again.

Victoria lifted her empty glass without a word, and Taylor filled it to the brim before pouring her own.

“To bad decisions, questionable taste, and men who should come with warning labels." Taylor muttered, raising her glass.

Victoria huffed out a breath, tapping her glass against Taylor’s. “Cheers.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the night settling between them. The revelation of the murdered judges still lingered, but neither of them seemed ready to pick at that thread just yet.

Taylor finally spoke, swirling the wine in her glass. “You know, I don’t get it.”

“What?” Victoria lifted a brow, taking a slow sip.

“The whole thing with Tristan. He’s gorgeous but a complete ass, plus don’t get me started on this twisted triangle of his father. Do you think he knows about your dad?”

The question landed heavy, pressing against something in her chest.

Victoria rolled the stem of her glass between her fingers, gaze fixed on the deep red swirl inside. “I don’t know,” she admitted, and that was the worst part.

Taylor hesitated, then asked, her voice edged with nervousness, “When are you going to tell him your true name and who you are?”

Victoria’s fingers tightened around the glass. The question wasn’t unexpected, but hearing it out loud made it feel heavier, like something tangible pressing against her chest.

She exhaled slowly, tilting her head back against the couch. “I don’t know that either.”

Taylor didn’t push, but the silence between them spoke volumes.

Finally, Taylor let out a breath, knocking her glass lightly against Victoria’s. “Well, whatever happens, I’ve got your back.”

“Thanks.”

With that, the conversation drifted into easier territory. Mindless girl talk, half-hearted gossip, and exaggerated rants about the men in their lives. The wine dulled the edges of reality, letting laughter slip between the cracks of the night’s tension.

At some point, the exhaustion caught up with them. Victoria wasn’t sure when she ended up curled up on the floor, her head resting on a throw pillow, but she felt the warmth of Taylor beside her, the quiet hum of the city beyond the window lulling them both into a dreamless sleep.

For tonight, that was enough.

The rich scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the living room, pulling Victoria from the depths of sleep. Blinking against the morning light, she stirred, slightly disoriented until the memories of last night settled back in. Wine, laughter, and eventually passing out on the floor with Taylor.

When she sat up, a dull ache pulsed behind her eyes, making her wince. Her head was heavy, her body sluggish, but something else caught her attention. The wine glasses were gone. The papers that had been scattered around their feet were now neatly stacked on the dining table.

Before she could process it, Taylor’s voice cut through the haze. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

Victoria turned, finding Taylor in the kitchen, looking way too put together for someone who drank just as much as she did.

Taylor held up two Tylenol and a glass of water. “Took the liberty of cleaning up. Coffee’s almost ready.”

Victoria groaned, reaching for the pills. “What time is it?”

“Mmm… close to ten-thirty.”

Victoria sighed, swallowing the Tylenol. “Way too early.”

Taylor smirked. “Way too late to still be sleeping.”

“Thanks.” Victoria smiled back.

Taylor clapped her hands together. “So… umm, we’re supposed to go dress shopping today.

” Her excitement was already building. “I can run home, shower, change, and come back, or…” she shot Victoria a hopeful look, “if you have extra clothes, we can just shower here, get ready, grab breakfast, and then hit the dresses.”

Victoria didn’t even hesitate. “Second option.”

She wasn’t about to let Taylor out of her sight. Not after last night. Not after what we discovered. The last thing I want is something happening to her.

Taylor grinned. “Knew you’d say that.”

With that settled, they wasted no time. Taylor grabbed towels while Victoria rummaged through her closet, tossing an oversized hoodie and leggings onto the bed for her. A quick shower and a strong cup of coffee later, they were both refreshed, dressed, and ready to go.

Taylor adjusted her ponytail in the hallway mirror. “Okay, food first, then dresses. I need something greasy.”

Victoria smirked as she grabbed her keys. “Agreed.”

They stepped out the door, but Victoria immediately froze.

Sitting on the ground, just outside the entrance, was a single red rose. Beside it, a folded note with her name scrawled across the front in a familiar, confident hand.

Her stomach tightened.

Taylor let out a low whistle. “Damn. Looks like someone wants your attention.”

Victoria bent down, picking up the rose with careful fingers before unfolding the note.

A slow smirk curled her lips as she turned the note over in her hand.

Taylor leaned in. “Should I be concerned or excited?”

Victoria slid the note into her pocket, the rose still in her grip. “Both.”

And with that, they walked toward the car, the game officially in motion.

Breakfast was exactly what they needed. Greasy, satisfying, and a perfect distraction. Seated in a corner booth of a small café, they chatted between bites, letting the heaviness of the past twenty-four hours fade, at least for now.

Victoria made an effort to shift the focus, leaning her elbows on the table as she arched a brow at Taylor. “Alright, enough about me. Spill…how was your date?”

Taylor’s eyes lit up as she dramatically set her fork down. “Finally, you ask!” She launched into a play-by-play of the night, complete with exaggerated reenactments of awkward moments and swoon-worthy details.

Victoria smirked, sipping her coffee. “So, is there going to be a second date?”

Taylor twirled a fry between her fingers, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Mmm… I haven’t decided yet. Gotta keep him on his toes.”

Victoria tilted her head. “And… You didn’t ask him to the masquerade thing?”

Taylor hesitated for half a second before rolling her eyes. “Ugh. No. I chickened out.”

“You? Chickening out? Now that’s shocking.” Victoria laughed.

Taylor pointed her fork at her. “Listen, it’s different when you actually like the guy. Besides, I still have time.”

Victoria smirked. “Not much.”

“Alright, alright,” Taylor huffed. “I’ll ask him. Eventually.”

Once they finished eating, they paid the bill and headed out, the crisp air waking Victoria up even more. Taylor stretched her arms over her head. “Alright, time for phase two. Dresses!”

The boutique was a short drive away, tucked into a stylish row of shops downtown. The moment they stepped inside, Taylor let out a delighted gasp. “Oh, we are going to have fun.”

Rows of elegant gowns lined the walls, shimmering under the soft lighting. Victoria scanned the selections, already bracing herself for whatever chaos Taylor had planned.

“Okay, rule number one. No boring dresses. We’re going all out.” Taylor grabbed her hand.

“Let’s just get this over with.” Victoria sighed, but a small smile played on her lips.

Taylor waggled her brows. “Oh no, sweetheart, we’re just getting started.”