The MC President's Forsaken Wife (Zara and Knox) novel Chapter 209

Chapter 108-3

Claim

A small, quiet warmth spreads throught my chest, chasing away the last lingering chill of the hangover. I reach up, covering his hand with my own, feeling the rough calluses on his knuckles.

“When does the operation start? ask.

“Tomorrow evening at sunset,” Locke says, his thumb tracing a slow, soothing line along my jawline. “Cobra and the boys are setting up the equipment in the woods early tomorrow morning. All the pieces are already moving.”

“And what am I supposed to do tomorrow night, while you’re out blocking roads and neutralizing armed escorts?”

Locke pulls back just enough to look down into my eyes, a soft, rafe glint of humor breaking through his rugged features.

“You,” Locke says firmly, “are going to stay right here, eat a real meal, and let your brain finish recovering from Jade’s killer margaritas.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head against his hand. “I’m fine, Locke. Really. My head barely hurts now.”

“I don’t care,” Locke says, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You and Jade are staying locked in this penthouse tomorrow night with Byte. I need to know you’re up here, far away from Old County Road, where I don’t have to worry about a stray bullet coming anywhere near you.”

“I could actually help. Or at least be useful somehow.”

“You are being useful,” Locke says. “Byte’s going to be running everything live, and Jade’s going to be pacing a hole through the floor. I need you up here to help Byte keep an eye on the monitors, keep Jade from losing her mind the second the comms go quiet.”

I roll my eyes, a small smile breaking through despite myself. “So I’m on babysitting duty for a tech genius and moral support for my best friend?”

“I’m giving you the hardest job in the building,” Locke says. “Sitting tight and watching a screen while the team is in the dark. But I can execute this hit clean in three minutes flat, Zara… provided I know you’re up here, off Knox’s radar, and safe.”

The playful edge fades, leaving behind a heavy, grounding certainty. He isn’t boxing me out of arrogance; he’s placing me right at the center of what he’s protecting, trusting me to anchor the home front while he walks into the noise.

“Deal,” I say softly. “I’ll watch from here.”

“Good girl,” Locke murmurs. “I love you.”

He leans down, closing the small distance between us, and presses his lips to mine. The kiss is slow, heavy, and full of a quiet, grounding heat that makes my pulse race for a completely different reason than hangovers or dangerous plans.

When he finally pulls back, his eyes are heavy, scanning my face in the soft lamplight.

112

Chapter 108-

“Get some sleep, Zara,” he says. “We’ve been neglecting your health lately, so as soon as this heist is pulled off tomorrow, we get right back to that. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Claim

I rest my head back against his shoulder, letting out a long, contented breath as his solid warmth wraps completely around me. Outside the penthouse windows, the city lights flicker quietly in the dark, but inside, the world feels completely still.

It’s the little calm before the storm tomorrow night – and I know enough now to know that I should enjoy it while I can.

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