Page 118 of A Dangerous Proposal

“I’d love to keep an eye on him until you find someone,” Angela offered hesitantly. “He and I get along, and he’s just the sweetest little man.”

“Are you sure? That’s?—”

Angela cut her off. “I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t mean it. Besides, I’ve raised my own children and helped with plenty of others. I’d be happy to do it, at least until you find the right person.”

Relief flooded Madison’s chest. “Thank you. That would be amazing!”

The doorbell rang, the sharp chime cutting through the peaceful lull of the morning. Madison frowned at the same time Angela did, both exchanging a look.

“We expecting anyone?” Madison asked.

“No,” Angela said slowly, her forehead puckering with concern.

“Maybe Alex ordered something?” Madison reassured her. Her gut told her otherwise, and so did Angela’s expression.

“Whoever it is had to go through the guard gate at the front of the neighborhood.”

Brushing her hands down her sweatpants, Madison peeked out the window and saw the side profile of a woman standing by the front door.

“Looks safe enough,” she said, and hurried to the foyer to pull the door open.

The woman on the other side was devastatingly beautiful in an icy, untouchable kind of way. Black hair fell in curls to below her shoulders, and large diamonds sparkled in her ears and at her throat.

Madison wasn’t easily intimidated, but fresh off the flu, dressed in baggy sweatpants and a T-shirt that hung off her frame, she felt like a hag.

The woman’s gaze swept over her, distaste clear on her face. “I need to see Alex.”

Madison bristled at her supercilious tone. “He’s not here.”

The woman’s lips pursed, as if she couldn’t decide whether Madison was lying or just useless. “I’ll wait.”

She moved to step inside, but Madison shifted, blocking the door. “And you are?”

The woman glared, clearly not accustomed to being questioned. “Who are you?”

Madison folded her arms across her chest. “I live here.”

The woman’s lips curled. “His standards are slipping if this is how he allows the help to dress.”

Madison’s hackles rose. “Not thehelp.”

“Oh.” Her eyes narrowed, and her nostrils flared. “You’re her.”

She studied Madison’s face and then let out a soft, almost amused huff. “Ah. That explains it.”

Madison’s jaw tightened. “Explains what, exactly?”

But the woman was already stepping inside, pushing past Madison. She was about to grab the bitch and throw her out, when Angela, who had been hovering in the hallway with Jax on her hip watching the scene unfold, spoke up.

“Hello, Selena.”

The woman spun to face her. “Angela, I see you are still taking advantage of my son’s charity.”

Son? Oh my god, this is Alex’s mother!

Selena’s attention landed on Jax. “That’s right.” She sniffed. Actually, audibly sniffed as if Jax were an unpleasant smell. “I heard there was a child.”

An instant flame of anger flared in Madison’s chest, but she kept her voice calm. “You’re Alex’s mother.”

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