Page 113 of A Dangerous Proposal

Alex froze.

“Mama,” Jax’s voice chirped through the quiet. A string of babbling followed, light and distracted, but when there was no response, he repeated it, more insistently, “Mama?”

Alex’s brows pulled together as he followed the sound, his eyes adjusting to the darkness as he stepped into the kitchen. The baby monitor sat on the counter, the screen faintly illuminated. He could see Jax sitting up in his bed, wide awake. His little fingers wrapped around his stuffed dinosaur as he kicked his feet against the mattress.

“Mama,” Jax said again, this time frustrated.

Alex’s stomach knotted.

Where the hell was Madison?

A sharp edge of alarm cut through him as he turned toward the stairs. He took them two at a time, his pulse hammering in his ears. Pushing open Jax’s door, his eyes immediately landed on the small bed in the corner.

The toddler sat upright in his bed, blinking at Alex as he entered. But it wasn’t Jax that had Alex rushing forward.

It was Madison.

She lay sprawled across the other bed, completely still.

Alex crouched down and pressed a palm to her cheek—blistering hot. He swore under his breath.

His grip tightened on her shoulder, and he gave her a gentle shake. “Madison?” She didn’t stir.

“Angel?” Her skin burned hot through her shirt. A soft moan escaped her lips, her head rolling slightly against the pillow. She mumbled something he barely caught, her voice hoarse.

“Opal... ”

“Madison?” He tried again, his voice sharper this time. His concern had officially turned into something stronger.

Her eyelashes fluttered, then slowly her unfocused, blue eyes blinked open. For a moment, she just stared at him, like she wasn’t entirely sure he was real.

“Oh, hey. When did you get home?” she whispered, with a confused smile.

Alex exhaled through his nose, tempering his reaction as he cupped her cheek. “How long have you been sick like this?”

She blinked sluggishly, her brow furrowing. “What’s today?”

Wrong answer.

“Madison.”

She swallowed, her throat working, and she winced. Her eyes drifted half-closed again. “Since… yesterday, I think? It’s just the flu, Alex.” Her eyes struggled to open. “Jax?—”

“He’s fine,” Alex cut her off. “He was awake when I came in, but he’s settled back down now.”

She tried to push up onto her elbows, but the effort lasted all of a second before her strength gave out, and she flopped back down with a groan.

Alex looked down at Madison, her flushed skin stark against the pale sheets, and he brushed his thumb over her temple.

She looked wrecked—Her fever-drunk gaze barely able to hold his. There was no way she was going to get any real rest, sharing a room with a baby who might wake up at any moment.

Decision made, he scooped her into his arms.

She made a soft noise of protest, her head lolling against his chest. “I can walk,” she muttered weakly.

“You can barely sit up,” Alex countered, his grip firm.

She sighed against him, and her body melted into his hold as he carried her toward the door. He glanced toward Jax’s bed, the toddler watching him sleepily, fingers firmly in his mouth.

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