The MC President's Forsaken Wife (Zara and Knox) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 51-2

“I don’t want to. I’ve been sitting for three days.”

“Fair.” He pours himself a glass of water, then leans against the counter. “We found another shell company.”

I straighten immediately. “And?”

“It connects three of the warehouse leases.”

“Drugs?”

“We think so.”

My mind is already racing. “What about the shipping manifests?”

His eyes narrow. “They’re missing.”

“Convenient.”

“Very.”

I pace slowly across the kitchen. “So somebody’s cleaning up.”

“Not fast enough.”

“And the photographic records?”

“We’re waiting.”

Clam

I nod automatically, already mentally arranging information into neat little columns the way I always do. G od. I’d missed this. Missed using my brain for something other than wondering whether another bowl of soup counted as emotional resilience.

Locke watches me for a long moment, then smiles.

“What?” I ask, startled. “What is it?”

“I’ve got you back.”

The words catch me off guard. “I wasn’t gone, Locke.”

“No.” His voice is gentle. “But you’ve been fighting something else.”

I cross the space between us until we’re standing almost toe to toe. “I’m done resting.”

“So you’ve mentioned.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are.”

“I want to go back to the clubhouse tomorrow.”

1/4

<Chapter 512-

His smile disappears. “Zara.”

“I’ve had three days flat on my ass.”

“You’ve had chemotherapy.

“I know.”

“Your body’s still recovering.”

“So let me test it.”

He cocks his head suspiciously. “Test it how?”

Clam

“I’ll work on the files with you, instead of in the garage. Sitting at a desk instead of working on machinery, having to stand and bend and lift, OK? And just for four hours.”

“Three hours.”

I blink. “What?”

“Three.”

“Locke, I’ll be fine.”

“I believe you.”

“But what?”

“But I also watched you sleep the sleep of the dead for most of the past four days.”

I soften. “I know you’re worried.”

“I am.”

“I love that you’re worried, that you care.” I reach for both his hands. “How about I prove to you that I’m feeling like myself again?”

He studies me carefully. “What exactly does ‘prove’ involve?”

I smile. “Oh, I haven’t quite worked out the details yet.”

“I don’t like that smile.”

“You usually do.”

“I usually survive it.”

I step a little closer, looking up at him. “You’ve spent days treating me like I’m made of glass.”

“I’ve spent days trying to make sure you heal.”

“And I appreciate every single second of it.” I lift one hand to his cheek. “But I’m still me, Locke.”

His eyes never leave mine, staring so hard that it feels like he’s searching my soul, then that smile finally breaks across his face.

24

<Chapter 51-2

There she is,” he says fondly.

t smile back. “Here I am.”

He exhales slowly, then rests his forehead against mine. “We’ll see how you feel in the morning.”

“That’s reasonable.”

“If you’re tired at the clubhouse…”

“I’ll tell you.”

“If you feel dizzy…”

“I’ll come home with you, no protest at all.”

“If Mayhem tries to steal your food…”

“I’ll have Dad kill him.”

That earns the laugh I’d been hoping for.

“There she is,” he says again, quieter this time. “My impossible girl.”

I wrap my arms loosely around his waist. “And yet…”

“Hmm?”

“You still come home to me.”

Clam

He smiles before brushing the lightest kiss across my forehead. “There was never anywhere else I was going. But I’ve got one condition about tomorrow.”

I look up suspiciously. “Only one?”

“I’m feeling unusually generous.”

“Oh, boy.”

He laughs quietly. “You’ve spent three days curled up on sofas and sleeping in bed, and you spent twelve hours before that shaking and throwing up. Your muscles have to be aching, baby.”

“They’re… a little stiff.”

“A little?”

“Fine.” I sigh dramatically. “A lot.”

“I thought so.” His hands settle gently at my waist. “So here’s the deal.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

“I’ll give you the world’s greatest massage.”

I narrow my eyes. “Confident… or cocky?”

3/4

<Chapter 512.

I’m a man of many talents.”

“I’ve noticed.”

The corner of his mouth lifts. And if you survive my massage…”

“Survive?”

“…then I’ll believe you’re ready to go back to work tomorrow.”-

I blink. “That’s your medical test?”

“It seems perfectly scientific.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You’ve completely made that up.”

“Absolutely.”

“And if I pass?”

Claim

He smiles, that slow, devastating smile that’s becoming more and more dangerous to my ability to think. “Then tomorrow, I’ll drive you to the clubhouse myself.”

I slide my arms around his neck. “Deal.”

“No negotiation?”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll negotiate later.”

“I was counting on it.” Still smiling, he takes my hand and starts leading me toward the bedroom. “I hope you’re ready.”

“For what?”

“The massage.”

I smile up at him, unable to resist one last teasing comment. “Something tells me that this is going to be a very thorough medical examination.”

“You have no idea,” he says. “Better brace yourself, baby.”

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