Page 36 of Shattered By Grace

Justin’s expression darkened, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and something she couldn’t quite place. He took a step toward her, his body rigid with frustration. “No,” he snapped, his voice cold and final. “And I’d suggest you keep it that way. ”

His stance was threatening, his jaw clenched tight, as though every word was a struggle to hold back. But there was something else in his posture. Fear, or maybe urgency.

Victoria opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught in her throat. She couldn’t decipher the look in his eyes, nor the tension in his body. Her pulse quickened, but she didn’t understand what exactly was making her heart race.

“So what’s your plan?” Victoria challenged, crossing her arms in defiance.

“I want to help you,” Justin said, earnest and almost desperate. “But I need you to trust me. At least enough to stay safe. Don’t draw attention to yourself, don’t dig too deep, and stay the hell away from Tristan and Tyson. If they figure out who you really are… it’s over.”

Victoria’s mind raced, torn between conflicting emotions—anger, betrayal, fear, and a tiny flicker of hope. Could she trust Justin? Was he trying to protect her, or was he just feeding her a lie?

Before she could respond, a knock came at the door, followed by a muffled voice calling for Justin. His expression stiffened, and he glanced back at Victoria, his eyes locking with hers.

“Think about what I said,” he whispered urgently. Without another word, he slipped out of the closet, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Victoria exhaled hard. Run or pretend, either choice came with a price. One thing was clear: she couldn’t afford any more mistakes. And with Justin in the mix, the stakes had never been higher.

Chapter Sixteen

Victoria hadn’t left her apartment in days. The walls seemed to close in, thick with memories, questions, and Justin’s warning: Stay away from Tristan and Tyson.

But staying away was the last thing on her mind.

She paced, replaying Justin’s conflicted expression. The way his eyes held both familiarity and something darker. He had always been the good guy, the one who dreamed of making the world better. So how was he mixed up with the Lockes? Was he protecting her or them?

Her gut twisted with the weight of uncertainty, but she refused to back down. If Justin was playing both sides, that only made him more useful. Still, one question lingered… How do I trust someone I don’t really know anymore?

She leaned against the counter, staring at her blurred reflection in the microwave door, her mind drifting back to her last conversation with Detective Adams.

“Victoria, I don’t think this is a good idea. The investigation is still ongoing.”

“Nothing has changed in ten years. I can’t let this control my life anymore.”

“The Lockes have expanded their empire. They’re everywhere. Be careful.”

“It’s been a decade. Anyone who knows me has either grown or long forgotten who I am.”

Now, standing alone in her apartment, she realized how naive she had been. A bitter laugh escaped her.Did I really think time and a new identity would keep me safe?

Shaking off the unease, she grabbed her running shoes. “I need to play this right. Figure out Justin. The Lockes. And how this all ties back to my father.”

Clawdia, lazily grooming her leg, offered no support. The cat snorted and padded away.

“Thanks for the input,” Victoria muttered, ruffling Clawdia’s fur before heading to the door.

She froze.

A single red rose lay on her stoop. No note. Just the stark contrast of crimson against concrete.

Her pulse spiked as she scanned the empty street. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, but no one was in sight. Crouching, she picked up the flower, its thorns pricking her fingers, a sharp reminder that beauty could be dangerous.

Who knew where I lived? And how long have they been watching?

Tamping down her unease, she stepped off her stoop, gripping the rose tighter before tossing it into a trash can mid-stride. Her father’s lessons echoed in her mind:You don’t back down just because something’s scary. You take control.Yet as she ran, a prickle of awareness crawled up her spine.

At the intersection, she stopped to stretch, casually scanning her surroundings.

That’s when she saw them.

---