Page 132 of Shattered By Grace

“You’re spiraling, love,” he said smoothly. Quiet. Lethal. His fingers found the back of her neck, anchoring her in place. “No one will fucking touch you.”

His smirk was slow, dark, and utterly merciless. “And if they try?” He leaned in, lips grazing the shell of her ear. “I’ll turn theirworld to fucking ash, You’re mine, Victoria. And I’ll burn every bridge, every soul, every fucking thing to the ground if anyone dares lay a hand on you.”

His lips brushed her ear. “I’ll walk through fire for you. And when I’m done, there won’t be a single fucking thing left of them. That’s a promise.”

“I’d like to find Taylor now.” Victoria didn’t know what to truly say because, at the core, the love she felt for Tristan was earth-shattering. And it scared the living shit out of her. She’d felt it the moment his lips brushed against her ear, the raw intensity of his words sinking deep inside her. It was a promise, one she hadn’t been prepared to hear, but now she couldn’t unhear it. It was suffocating, and yet it felt like the only thing that made sense.

God, why did he have to say that?The sheer force of it hit her like a wave, leaving her gasping for breath. She knew it was real,tooreal, but there was something about the depth of his feelings that made her heart race, and her fear flare up all over again.

“I forgot to tell you that she was here with Justin.” The words tumbled out faster than she’d meant, an attempt to shield herself from the suffocating truth in his gaze. She needed something, anything to hold onto other than the raw, terrifying certainty of his love.

Tristan pulled back just enough to study her face, his dark gaze narrowing as if reading every line of emotion she was trying to hide. He didn’t miss the way her breath hitched, the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

“That’s not exactly the response I was expecting,” he murmured, almost dangerous in its calm.

Her steps were sharp, her heart thundering as she moved closer, her body language daring him to challenge her. If she were just a bit taller, they’d be nose to nose. She leaned in, hervoice silky and seductive, “When you actually say the real words, then I will.”

He grabbed her hand, and as she started to walk forward, he pulled, making her stumble back into him. His chest pressed against her back, the heat of his body sending an electric jolt through her.

She barely had time to catch her breath before he leaned down, his lips against her ear as he took a deep breath.

“You’re a maddening woman.”

Chapter Fifty-Nine

It didn’t take long to find Taylor. She was stunning in an emerald velvet dress, the long sleeves hugging her arms, the fabric draping like liquid elegance. Her short hair was pinned up effortlessly, and a delicate black lace mask framed her face—a near twin to Victoria’s.

“I think I have a girl crush,” Victoria murmured into Taylor’s ear as she spun on the dance floor.

Taylor turned sharply, eyes lighting up. “Victoria.” She pulled her into a tight hug before stepping back, scanning her outfit with approval. “You look gorgeous.” Her gaze flicked to Tristan. “Tristan.”

Before he could respond, Justin appeared at Taylor’s side, pressing a glass of champagne into her hand. “Here’s your drink—” His words cut off the second his gaze lifted to Victoria’s companion. His expression flickered, something sharp and uncertain flashing behind his mask. “Oh, fuck. Mr. Locke.”

Victoria’s gaze turned icy, her body language stiff. Tristan’s lips pressed into a thin line, a cold, exacting stare settling on Justin. The air crackled with unresolved tension, both of them not bothering to mask their discomfort.

To break the quiet standoff, Taylor grabbed Victoria’s hand and spun her onto the dance floor with a smile. “Come on, let’s get some fun in before someone says something they’ll regret.”

As the upbeat strings filled the air, Taylor grabbed Victoria’s hand and spun her into the dance, a playful smile tugging at her lips. The lively melody lifted the room’s energy, pulling Victoria into the rhythm. But even as she moved, her attention wasn’t entirely on the dance floor.

Her eyes were locked on Tristan across the room. There was no mistaking the quiet, unyielding way he watched her. His gaze burned through her, making the space between them feel like an electric charge. She let him see her. The way she moved, the way the dress flowed over her skin, how her lips curled in a knowing smile. She didn’t look away, not for a second.

If anything, she wanted him to feel it. Wanted him to want it harder. The game they played wasn’t lost on her. She could feel the pull, the tension wrapping tighter between them, and she let it simmer, making sure every movement was deliberate, every glance a challenge.

He didn’t blink. Neither did she.

Taylor’s voice cut through her thoughts, playful and oblivious to the battle silently raging between them. “You’re really trying to make him suffer, aren’t you?”

Victoria didn’t answer. She just smiled, her eyes still locked on Tristan, watching the way his jaw clenched, the way his body seemed to inch closer, even though he hadn’t moved a muscle.

Victoria turned away from Tristan with a smirk, letting the energy of the dance floor wash over her. She continued to move with Taylor, the music carrying her in a rhythmic flow. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of Tristan’s eyes on her, even as she spun and twirled, savoring every second of their silent battle.

A movement to her side caught her attention. Justin sidled up next to Taylor, flashing a grin as he took her hand and pulledher into a dance. The sight of them, Justin so smug and Taylor giving in with that carefree smile, made Victoria’s stomach churn. She fought the wave of repulsion, unwilling to let it ruin her night. Instead, she pushed it down, forcing herself to focus on the beat of the music and the way her body moved with it.Fun, she reminded herself. She was here to have fun.

As she twirled again, the movement shifting her focus for just a second, her eyes caught on him.

Tristan.

He was walking toward her with that confident stride, his presence undeniable. Every step he took seemed deadly, as if he knew she was watching him, knew the effect he was having. His gaze never wavered, and she felt the pull in her chest drawing her to him.

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