Page 9 of Shattered By Grace

Her eyes flicked to the clock. Three forty-five a.m.

“Yeah, because waking him up in the middle of the night won’t scream ‘Hey, I did something stupid!’”

Adams had been in her life since she was fifteen, since the night she lost everything. He wasn’t just a detective. He was the only person who had ever truly looked out for her.

And if she called now, she’d just make him worry.

She let out a breath, staring at her reflection in the mirror propped against the wall. Flushed cheeks, wild hair, oversized t-shirt, wine glass clenched in her hand like a lifeline.

She looked unhinged.

She pointed at herself.

“You get close to them. Gain their trust. Dig for information.”

She blinked.

“…No. That’s stupid.”

Another gulp.

“…Or is it?”

Victoria took another drink, only to find the glass empty.

“Don’t be stupid, you’re an experienced midwife.”

She muttered the words like a mantra, as if reminding herself of her actual profession would somehow keep her from making very questionable life choices.

But still, she poured another generous glass.

Clawdia was already stretched out across the counter like she owned the place, her fluffy tail flicking lazily beside the bottle of wine.

Victoria ran a hand over her face, then reached out absentmindedly, scratching behind Clawdia’s ears. “You’re the only one who understands me.”

Clawdia barely acknowledged her, too busy lounging like a queen.

“Don’t judge me.”

Victoria swirled her wine, staring at the ceiling. “Okay. Let’s say I do this. Get close to them. I could…” She paused. “…steal their phones?”

Clawdia flicked an ear.

“No, that’s dumb.”

She took a sip.

“Hack their accounts?”

Another flick.

“Still dumb.”

She groaned, gripping the edge of the counter. “Ugh. Clawdia, how do you infiltrate a criminal empire without getting murdered?”

Clawdia let out a slow, dramatic stretch, her massive paws pushing the wine bottle an inch closer to the edge.

Victoria narrowed her eyes. “Don’t even think about it.”

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