Page 107 of A Dangerous Proposal

Before she could respond, a woman with heavily styled hair and an overly friendly smile appeared.

“You must be Daddy?” She purred and licked her lips, giving him an obvious once-over.

Liev unsuccessfully smothered a laugh behind him.

Alex kept his expression blank. “I’m here for my son.”

The woman—her nametag readCheryl—tilted her head, her eyes lingering a few seconds too long. “Of course. Poor littleguy’s been having a rough day.” She gestured for him to follow her down the hall. “This way.”

As they walked, Cheryl kept glancing at him over her shoulder. “I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. We usually see… Madison.”

Alex ignored her.

“Always running around, so busy. Must be hard on her.” Her voice dripped with faux sweetness, setting Alex’s teeth on edge.

Liev shot Alex a sidelong glance, barely containing his amusement.

When they reached a large room at the end, Cheryl leaned against the doorframe, blocking his way. “It’s so nice to see ahands-ondaddy. We don’t get enough of those around here.”

Liev snorted, but Alex wasn’t amused as he scanned the room for the familiar blonde head. His alarm spiked when he didn’t see him.

“Where is my son?” Alex tried to keep his voice as even as possible. Madison had enough trouble with this daycare, and he didn’t want to make it worse.

But if he didn’t see Jax in the next sixty seconds, he wasn’t sure what he would do.

Cheryl blinked, startled by the bite in his voice. She straightened, finally stepping aside. “We tried calling Madison.Severaltimes.”

Her tone had his hackles up. “Where. Is. My. Son,” he bit out.

The woman’s eyes widened. “Sarah just took him for a diaper change. She’ll be right back.”

Another staff member entered the room with Jax in her arms, and Alex let out a breath. Then his frown deepened. Jax’s face was flushed, and his little body was curled in on itself as he rested his head on the young woman’s shoulder. He looked miserable.

Jax’s breathing was shallow and labored, and Alex’s own chest constricted at the sight of him.

“Hey, buddy,” he said softly, stepping closer.

The toddler’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of his voice, and when Jax reached out for Alex with a whine, he thought his heart might burst.

“He’s been fussy,” the younger woman said apologetically. “Fever hit him fast. We were just about to call again.”

Heat radiated from the tiny body in his arms, and he could hear a slight whistle when Jax breathed.

That doesn’t sound normal.

Jax whimpered, nuzzling against Alex’s chest, and he instinctively adjusted his hold, rubbing circles on the small back. His gut twisted at how small and fragile the boy felt in his arms.

“He’s been sick a lot lately,” Cheryl said, her tone too casual. “We gave him the cold medicine from his bag, but he’ll be due another dose in three hours. We’re concerned because he’s been sick so much this year. I know Madison’s career is important to her, but these types of children need more attention.”

Alex felt Liev shift to alertness behind him.

“These types of children?” he asked, silkily.

Cheryl shifted uncomfortably, realizing too late that she had crossed a line. “Oh, you know… babies with, um, difficult starts. His mother?—”

“His mother,” Alex cut her off, his voice razor-sharp. “Is none of your concern.”

Her lips pursed. “If Madison would?—”

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