The MC President's Forsaken Wife (Zara and Knox) novel Chapter 437

Chapter 214

Chapter 214

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+25 Point

The elevator doors hiss open to the penthouse. For the first time in six hours, the silence is total.

I take off my coat and kick off my low heels at the entrance, letting out a long, contented sigh as

my toes meet the cool hardwood.

Locke slips his heavy leather cut off his shoulders, hanging it carefully on the coat rack near the door before turning back to me.

“You doing alright?” he asks, “Feeling okay, baby?”

“Better than alright, way better than okay,” I say, stepping toward him. “My feet ache, my jaw hurts

from laughing so much, and I think my heart is actually too full to fit inside my chest.”

Locke lets out a low, rumbling laugh, reaching down to gather me into his arms. He lifts me effortlessly, shifting my weight so I’m cradled against his broad chest as he carries me across the dark living room toward the master suite.

“You didn’t have to carry me,” I tease, though I tighten my hold on him anyway.

“I want to,” he replies simply. “It’s one of my favorite things to do, baby.”

He sets me down gently at the foot of our king-sized bed, his large hands lingering at my hips for a moment before he steps over to the ensuite bathroom.

I follow him into the master bath, leaning against the doorframe as I watch him strip off his dark

shirt.

“Come here,” he rumbles softly, holding out a hand.

I step forward, placing my palm in his. He reaches for the hem of my shirt, lifting it slowly over my

head.

When the clothes fall away, the light catches the residual marks. A faint, fading yellow-purple

shadow still rests against the right side of my ribcage. A thin, delicate line traces the curve of my

upper lip where the stitches are. Another faint shadow sits high on my left cheekbone.

They’re fading memories, quiet scars of a war that isn’t yet behind us.

Locke guides me under the wide, rainfall shower head. The warm water cascades down over us

instantly, soaking my hair, washing away the lingering smells of the restaurant and the exhaustion of the long day.

Locke steps into the stream behind me, his large hands slick with soap as he gently lathers my shoulders, working his fingers into the tight muscles of my neck.

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Chapter 214

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I lean back against his broad chest, letting the heat of the water and the comfort of his touch soak deep into my bones.

still can’t believe Mac actually used the cat chopsticks,” I laugh softly, tilting my head back against his shoulder. “Then again, he did ask to take them home.”

Locke chuckles, “The man has pride, but his desire to eat spicy fried tofu clearly outweighs it. Jade knew what she was doing when she brought those.”

“She’s brutal,” I say, closing my eyes as the water streams over my face. “And Stitch…did you see

him with Willow?”

Locke’s hands pause for a fraction of a second before continuing their slow, rhythmic sweep down

my back. “I saw.”

“He checked the entire kitchen menu to make sure her tea and food were completely vegan,” I say turning in his arms to look up at him through the mist. “Stitch doesn’t do that for just anyone, Locke. He barely speaks to people unless he’s patching a bullet wound or handing out vodka and calling it an antibiotic.”

“Stitch pays attention,” Locke says. “He’s protective. He sees how quiet she is, how jumpy she gets around the louder guys. He was making sure she felt safe.”

“It was sweet. She blushed so dark I thought her ears were going to catch fire. It’s nice seeing her relax a little. She’s been through so much, but tonight… tonight she actually looked like she felt at

home.”

“She’s safe. Same as you are.”

“I know,” I say softly, resting my palms against his broad, wet chest. “And Dad looking down that table… I’ve never seen him look so proud. Or so relieved.”

“And Brick talking about building a custom stroller. With chrome rims. You know it’ll be a goddamn

tank.”

I laugh out loud, the sound echoing off the wet marble walls. “He’s going to be the most terrifying, fiercely protective uncle in the entire world.”

“He’s got competition,” Locke counters, his hands moving down to rest gently on my hips.” Mayhem already thinks he’s teaching the kid how to ride a dirt bike.”

We stand together under the warm water for a long moment.

I look up at him through the steam. The water glistens against the sharp angle of his jaw, his dark

lashes, and the heavy line of his collarbone.

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Chapter 214

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I let my gaze drop to his lush, perfect mouth, then slow-burn back up to meet his gray eyes. I tilt my chin, sliding my hands up from his chest, letting my fingers wrap around the back of his wet neck, Pulling myself up just a fraction on my tiptoes.

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