Page 116 of Shattered By Grace

“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 fromCrimson 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.

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