Page 6 of Shattered By Grace

Victoria brushed past him, her chin held high. “Thanks,” she replied curtly, not missing the way his grin widened at her clipped tone.

As she made her way to the desk, she noticed they didn’t sign in like everyone else was supposed to. Her curiosity was piqued.

Who are these two?she wondered.

Casey, the gym manager, emerged from the storage closet, alerted by the bell above the door. “Can’t sleep again?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

Finishing up her information on the sign-in sheet, Victoria shook her head with a faint smile. “No,” she answered vaguely.If only I could tell you about the terrifying dreams that keep me awake…

Her eyes drifted back to the two men, just in time to catch the hoodie guy pull down his hood. “Casey, can you put on some real music?” he called out with a smirk. “This classic rock isn’t doing it for me.”

Victoria’s breath hitched for a second. With his hood down, she could see his face clearly now. Sharp jawline, dark hair, and striking eyes that had a teasing glint. He was tall, with broad shoulders that filled out his shirt, annoyingly looking like someone straight out of a fitness magazine… or a moody movie poster.Great,she thought,he’s gorgeous AND arrogant.

The resemblance between him and the guy called Tyson was clear. They had to be brothers.

She rolled her eyes, trying to shake off the involuntary flutter in her stomach. “You really think music will help your technique?” she shot back, unable to resist a jab.

He turned, clearly amused, his smile turning slightly wicked. “Oh, I’ve got technique to spare,” he replied smoothly. “But if you need a lesson, I’m happy to help.”

Victoria felt a mix of irritation and… something else she couldn’t quite place. “Thanks, but I’ll pass,” she shot back, moving toward the weights.

He chuckled, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer. “We’ll see about that,” he murmured, turning to his brother.

“Tristan, can we get back to our workout, or do you just want to keep flirting with the girl?” Tyson's tone was dry, a hint of amusement coloring his words as he stepped up beside Tristan, his presence calm but commanding.

The two of them were a striking pair, each radiating a different kind of intensity. Tyson was all cool steel andsmoldering control, while Tristan was the spark, reckless and charming

Great,Victoria thought sarcastically.Of course, they’re both gorgeous. Just my luck.

She watched them move to the boxing ring, their movements fluid and precise, like predators sizing each other up before a fight. She tore her gaze away, trying to focus on anything but them.

“You okay, miss?” Casey’s soft, calming tone cut through her thoughts. He had that easygoing look of someone you could trust, like a favorite uncle with a twinkle in his eye.

“Yeah, ” she replied, trying to sound nonchalant, but the lingering tension was evident in her voice. “Those two… they seem like a lot to handle. Especially the taller one, what’s his name again?” She fumbled with her earbuds, trying to distract herself. She needed to get through her workout, clear her head, and get to the hospital in a few hours for her first day as head midwife.

Casey chuckled softly, but there was a flicker of caution in his eyes. “That’s Tristan. And the other is his brother, Tyson. Let’s just say… they’re not the kind of guys you want to get mixed up with. Their family owns this gym, actually… and a lot more around here.”

Victoria raised an eyebrow. “A lot more?”I shouldn’t be getting involved,she reminded herself.

Casey nodded, his expression a bit more serious now. “Yeah, they’re… influential. Got their hands in a lot of things in this city.” He lowered his voice, leaning in slightly. “Just be careful around them. They can be… unpredictable.”

She forced a laugh. “Noted.” But as she moved toward the weights, she felt the weight of Casey’s words settling on her shoulders like a warning.

Great. Just what I need.

She tried to focus on her routine, but her mind kept drifting back to Tristan. The way he moved, so effortlessly, with that mix of arrogance and ease.Stay away,she warned herself.Stay far, far away.

An hour later, Victoria was wiping down her equipment, body buzzing from exertion. But her eyes kept drifting to the boxing ring. Tristan and Tyson were in the midst of an intense sparring match. It was almost hypnotic watching them. Tristan moved with a relaxed arrogance, his strikes smooth and effortless, while Tyson’s movements were precise and calculated, each punch delivered with a cold efficiency.

As Victoria watched, memories began to surface. Flashes of her father, the gym, and their training sessions together. He had been a top fighter in his prime, and Victoria remembered him praising her natural talent. Even in witness protection, she had managed to keep up with her training, using fighting as a way to stay grounded. The feeling of power and control in the ring had always centered her, providing a sense of normalcy amid the chaos of her life.

“Like what you see?” Tristan taunted, voice dripping with amusement. He was hanging off the ropes now, his body slick with sweat, muscles tight from the fight. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Victoria scoffed, willing herself to focus on something, anything, other than the way his abs flexed with every breath. “Not really. Your footwork’s sloppy, and you drop your left guard when you go for a right hook.”

Tristan blinked. Tyson coughed to cover a laugh.

“What?” she asked innocently, tilting her head. “You asked.”

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