Locke leads me into the cozy expanse of the living room. He sits down on the plush leather couch and pulls me into his lap the very second he settles, pulling me sideways across his broad, sturdy thighs.
"Tired?" he asks.
"Not even a little," I say. "Just completely at peace. I don't think I've ever felt this relaxed."
“Good. That's how you're supposed to feel. No stress up here."
I smile, snuggling up against him, letting the heavy quiet of the house wash over me. "It really is magic up here, Locke. The snow, Evelyn, Titan, the house... I get why you brought me here now."
"Needed you to see it. Needed you to know what quiet actually feels like. At home, there’s always noise. Club business, the garage, people coming and going. Up here, it’s just the water and the trees, and it clears
