The MC President's Forsaken Wife (Zara and Knox) novel Chapter 401

er 196-2

Chapter 196-2

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“I don’t know your name, but I know the work of a man who lacks integrity,” Vane continues, his gaze shifting briefly to Knox before returning to me. “Knox McVale is a bully. A street dog who abuses women because he’s too small to face men. Please rest assured, I’ve got no intention of harming you.”

I force my mind to snap out of its shock, and I clear my throat, praying that my voice doesn’t

come out as a squeak:

“I’m Zara, Mr. Vane. Zara Callahan.”

Vane pauses, his eyes sharpening with immediate, analytical recognition. “Zara Callahan. Of course. Cobra’s daughter. Mayhem’s sister.” A faint, respectful tilt of his head follows the realization. “A prominent bloodline in this city. You carry yourself with the poise I’d expect.”

“I appreciate the courtesy,” I say with a bit more confidence. “Though your entrance was somewhat abrupt. Maybe even a bit dramatic.”

A subtle spark of intellectual intrigue glints in Vane’s eyes. He appreciates the absolute lack of panic in my response. There’s an unspoken, strange mutual understanding between us: a quiet recognition of two people who understand power, control, and composure in a room full of screaming children.

“A necessary measure to remove the barrier,” Vane murmurs gently. “I’m sure you understand.

“1

“I do, Mr. Vane.”

He turns his body slowly now, facing Knox. “So…”

Knox is shaking violently, his hands raised high, sweating profusely under the light. “Vane… Vane, listen to me! I brought her here for us! I was getting your money!”

Vane reaches into his tailored coat, pulling out a thin silver cigarette case. He snaps it open with a quiet click, selects a cigarette, and lights it with a silver lighter. He draws in a small breath of pale smoke, exhaling it toward the rafters.

“You’re a liar, Knox,” Vane says mildly, as if stating a meteorological fact. “You’ve got no honor. You give your word, and it evaporates the moment you feel threatened. You owe me a substantial amount of capital, yet instead of conducting proper business, you vanish into the

shadows like a rat.”

Vane turns back to me. “Tell me, Ms. Callahan…. why did this pathetic creature bring you to

Chapter 1962

this godforsaken warehouse and tie you up? What grand strategy did his small mind

conceive?”

I look from Vane to Knox’s terrified face, keeping my tone perfectly conversational.

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“He wanted money to pay off his debt to you,” I say. “I’m Locke Tanner’s girlfriend, and he’s got money. Knox’s plan was to record a video of me bound and bleeding, send it to Locke and my father, and demand three million dollars.”

Vane pauses mid–drag. He stares at me for a long, quiet second, processing the sheer absurdity of what he’s just heard.

Then, a low, deep chuckle begins to rumble in Vane’s chest. It builds into a genuine laugh that echoes lightly off the iron girders.

“Three million dollars,” Vane repeats, shaking his head with quiet, amused disbelief. “He kidnapped Cobra Callahan’s daughter, to extort her boyfriend, to pay off a commercial debt to

“You’re not just a liar, Knox,” Vane says softly. “You’re offensively stupid. You brought the entire violent apparatus of Cobra Callahan’s club directly to my doorstep over your crude

“Vane, please,” Knox says, his throat constricted. “I can get the money, okay? Just give me two hours. Locke will pay, I promise you. He loves her and she’s pregnant, alright? They’ll give us everything –”

“Vane, wait

Thwack–thwack.

In the corner, Becca screams – a heartwrenching, bloodcurdling scream. Willow cries out, covers her face, and tries to become one with the wall. And me – I just stare at my husband’s

body, the body of the first man that I ever loved, feeling nothing.

Nothing at all.

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Vane doesn’t even glance down at Knox. He calmly slips the silver pistol back into his coat, takes one final drag of his cigarette, drops the ember to the concrete, and crushes it beneath the heel of his shoe. He looks back to me, offering another quiet, respectful nod.

“I suggest you leave as soon as your wrists and feet are free,” Vane says politely, stepping back as his suit–clad men fall into formation around him. “I’ve got no quarrel with you, nor with the Grinning Skulls. Knox’s debt died with him tonight. You can tell your father that Vane conducts business, not kidnappings.”

“Thank you, Mr. Vane,” I say softly. “It’s very much appreciated.”

“Safe travels, Ms. Callahan,” Vane says. “And congratulations on the baby.”

The five of them step back through the drifting dust toward the far doors, the lethal crew

vanishing into the gloom as quietly as they entered.

Then, they are simply gone.

The suit–clad shadows dissolve into the night, leaving the three of us – Willow, Becca, and me alone in the dim yellow light, surrounded by three men bleeding out on the floor.

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