Page 61 of Shattered by Grace (The Locke Empire Duet #1)

Chapter Fifty-One

V ictoria leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, watching Tristan move around with his usual effortless confidence. The smell of coffee and something sizzling on the stove filled the space, and the moment felt oddly domestic in a way that made her pulse quicken.

“You know it’s Friday, right?” she asked, arching a brow.

Tristan didn’t look up, flipping the eggs with his usual precision. “I’m aware.”

“And you’ve only been home to grab some clothes before coming right back.” She gave him a teasing smirk. “Are you moving in?”

Tristan finally looked over at her, his gaze sharp and dark, the smirk on his lips almost predatory. He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stepped toward her, closing the space between them with ease. His voice was rougher than usual when he finally spoke. “What if I am?”

Before she could react, his hands were on her waist, lifting her effortlessly and placing her on the counter. She let out a surprised squeal, her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders for balance.

Tristan stepped between her thighs, his palms sliding slowly up her legs. “You can’t tell me it hasn’t been convenient having me around. At your disposal.” His voice was low, teasing, but there was something darker behind it, something that made her pulse stutter.

Her breath hitched, her stomach twisting at the way his fingers traced lazy circles against her skin.

Focus, Victoria.

She leaned in closer, her lips barely a breath away from his, her voice a sharp, daring whisper.

“Convenient? Maybe. But don’t get cocky, Locke.”

Then, just as his grip on her thighs tightened and his breath hitched, she smirked and pulled back, slipping off the counter like he hadn’t just turned her insides to liquid.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, some of us have jobs to get to.”

She blew a kiss as she walked away, his stare felt like a promise.

Victoria stepped out of a patient’s room, the door clicking softly behind her as she exhaled.

She glanced down at her phone, Tristan’s name lighting up the screen with a string of unread messages.

Her finger hovered over the first one, but before she could process whatever he’d sent, a whirlwind of energy crashed into her, nearly knocking the breath from her lungs.

Taylor hooked her arm through Victoria’s, tugging her forward with a giddy bounce. “Finally! I’ve been waiting for you to finish up. We have important things to discuss.”

Victoria arched a brow, letting Taylor drag her down the hall. “Does this ‘important discussion’ involve actual work, or is this about something ridiculous?”

Taylor grinned. “Both.”

Before Victoria could respond, her phone vibrated again. She checked it without thinking. The message was from Adams.

Adams

Thanks for the updated info on the Reaping. Do nothing. We’re still analyzing your father’s notebooks.

Victoria read the message twice, the words landing heavier with each pass. Do nothing. That was never good.

She shoved the phone back into her pocket, trying to mask the tension rising in her chest. Focus. Don’t let it distract you now.

Taylor nudged her, her energy palpable. “Everything good?”

Victoria glanced at her, forcing a smile. “Yeah, just some more work stuff. Nothing to worry about.” But inside, something felt off.

Taylor didn’t skip a beat. “I made us appointments. Hair, makeup, the works. A real girls’ day. No backing out.”

Victoria sighed, too tired to argue but already regretting whatever ordeal Taylor had planned. “You do realize I was just going to put on the dress and call it a day, right?”

Taylor gasped, this time with exaggerated shock. “This is why I had to step in! You were going to waste a moment like this. Babe, when you walk into that ballroom, you need to make Tristan Locke forget how to breathe.”

Victoria rolled her eyes, though the amused smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. “Pretty sure he already thinks I’m hot.”

Taylor grinned wickedly. “Oh, trust me, he does. But after this? He’ll be lucky if he can form a coherent sentence.”

Laughing, Victoria bumped her with her shoulder. “Sounds fun. Can’t wait. Hopefully, Tristan got his suit. He’s been at my place the last three days.”

“Bitch, what?” Taylor abruptly stopped, pulling Victoria to a halt with her. “You’re just now telling me this? Three days? Are y’all official or are we still in the morally gray situationship phase?”

Victoria couldn’t help the belly laugh that escaped her. “Okay, Taylor.”

“Good. Now, onto the juicy stuff. Guess who my date to the ball is?” Taylor wiggled her brows, clearly building up to something dramatic.

Victoria gave her a flat look. “Taylor.”

“Come on, guess.”

“I swear, if you make me play this game…”

“Fine, fine,” Taylor cut in, eyes gleaming. “It was supposed to be Jake.”

Victoria’s steps faltered. “Wait. The ex? The one from Crimson Veil ?”

“The very one,” Taylor confirmed with a sigh. “But he broke it off last week. Over text.” She rolled her eyes. “Coward.”

“Damn Tay, Im sorry.” Victoria frowned, not exactly heartbroken over that revelation. “So, who’s actually taking you?”

Taylor’s grin was almost mischievous. “Do you want the short or long version of the story?”

Victoria narrowed her eyes. “Spill.”

“So, um… funny thing.” Taylor hesitated before forcing a small grin. “It’s Justin.”

The name alone had Victoria’s stomach twisting. She stopped walking, yanking Taylor back slightly. “Absolutely not.”

Victoria moved quickly, guiding Taylor toward an empty patient room and shutting the door behind them for privacy. The room was quiet, sterile, but the air felt thick with tension.

Taylor collapsed onto the small chair, leaning back with a sigh. “You know, Justin was actually the one who invited me to the ball.”

Victoria’s stomach churned. “I think you should explain.”

Taylor nodded, a bitter smile playing on her lips.

“So, I was at the bar after, you know, Jake broke it off, drowning my emotions in tequila. And, well… I saw Justin sitting alone. I kinda maybe…” She wouldn’t meet Victoria’s eyes, her fingers twisting together.

“Walked over to him and sat down. We started talking and drinking, and… one thing led to another.”

Victoria frowned, crossing her arms. “Justin?” she echoed. “The same Justin from my childhood that now works for Cassian but lied that he was undercover?”

Taylor groaned. “Vic?—”

“No. No way. He’s not safe.”

“That’s the point.” Taylor turned to face her fully, eyes blazing with determination. “I’m making sure he’s at the ball with me. I’m keeping him with us. If I let him go off on his own, who knows what he’ll be up to? This way, I can keep an eye on him and make sure he plays nice.”

Victoria’s jaw tightened. “You’re playing with fire.”

“So are you,” Taylor smirked.

Victoria exhaled slowly, her gaze steady and intense. “I don’t like this, Tay. You’re putting yourself in the middle of very real danger. I can’t stop you, but just… be careful, okay?”

Taylor’s grin softened, but defiance flickered in her eyes. “Relax, Vic. It’s just a ball. He can’t hurt me with that many eyes on us.”

A sudden commotion erupted outside the door.

“She—she just passed out,” a panicked husband stammered, his face pale as he clutched his wife’s hand. His whole body shook with fear as he watched her lying motionless on the floor.

Victoria stepped forward, her voice steady and firm. “It’s okay. I know you’re scared, but I’m not. I’ve got her. But I need you to take a step back.”

Without another thought, she moved past him, her focus zeroing in on the patient. The conversation about Justin and Taylor faded to the back of her mind. Right now, nothing else mattered.