Page 129 of A Dangerous Proposal

“That’s some pretty impressive dedication,” Madison agreed, but the comment made her nervous. She understood the curiosity, but she and Cami were very careful about how they presented what they found. The last thing they wanted was a witch-hunt or for someone’s reputation to be unfairly ruined online.

As the champagne flowed, the coil of tension in her spine loosened slightly, and she found herself enjoying the evening. Several times she looked up to find Alex’s eyes on her checking in, and without fail, it set the butterflies inside her into a storm. She banished her worry over Mikhail and let the bubbles work their way through her system, leaving her pleasantly lightheaded.

However, by the third glass, the buzz edged toward something stronger, and she set the empty flute on a passing tray. With a murmured excuse, she went in search of the restrooms. Weaving through the crowd, she kept her head high and her steps even. Madison wasn’t interested in gossip blogs reporting that she was sloppy drunk at a charity event.

The hallway leading to the restrooms was dimly lit, far quieter than the main ballroom. Soft light from wall sconces flickered over the polished marble floors of the hotel. Afterwashing her hands, she pushed the ladies’ restroom door open, only to find a familiar figure waiting just outside the door.

Her heart picked up speed, but she refused to back down by ducking back into the restroom. She took a step forward, determined to push past Felix.

“You’re not leaving so soon, are you?”

She ignored him, but he stepped to block her path. Madison’s jaw locked tight. She couldn’t make a scene. If she raised her voice and Alex came, there was no telling what he would do, and with Mikhail watching, it wasn’t an option.

She would have to handle this herself.

“I’m not in the mood to fight with you tonight, Felix. If you have something you want to say, communicate through our lawyers.”

Felix laughed, but when the action caused him to sway forward, his eyes glittering with malice, she reassessed her next move. His shirt was wrinkled, tie slightly loosened, and his pupils were blown wide.

He was high.

Madison didn’t have time to celebrate the potential setback to his custody case, because there was a manic tinge to his smile that set every nerve in her body on high alert.

“Move,” she said, keeping her voice steady, taking a step back toward the restroom door. She needed to get back to the ballroom. To Alex.

He didn’t budge, his smile widening. “What’s the rush? We’re family. Family should talk, don’t you think?”

Madison forced herself to breathe slowly, but her pulse thundered in her ears.Normally, she wasn’t afraid of Felix. However, ahighFelix was a different story.

“I’m not interested.”

Felix closed the distance until there was less than a foot of space between them. Her skin crawled when his eyes raked over her.

“Opal always pretended she wasn’t interested, too,” he slurred with a sneer, as he leaned close to her face. His voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “But she secretly liked it rough. Bet you do, too.”

Madison froze, rage and disgust boiling to the surface. Her hands balled into fists at her sides.

“Don’t you dare?—”

His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist with bruising force, yanking her toward him. Felix’s fingers bit into her skin, and no matter how she wrenched her arm, she couldn’t twist free.

“You’ve been causing problems for me, Madison,” he hissed through clenched teeth. His breath was hot against her ear, sending a sickening wave of nausea rolling through her. “You’ve always caused problems for me. Interfering bitch.”

His other hand came up and grabbed one of her bare biceps, and she couldn’t help the gasp of pain. The sound only made his grip tighten. “It’s time you learn your place. That kid is mine, and I willtakehim back.”

Her heart pounded, the pain in her wrist sharpening with each second as he twisted it.

“No, you won’t.” Madison didn’t hesitate, raking her nails down his hand as hard as she could, slicing into his skin until blood welled beneath her fingers.

“Fuck!” Felix jerked back and glared at her. His face reddened, his chest heaving with unhinged fury. “You fucking bitch?—”

“Is there a problem here?”

A calm voice cut through the tension.

Trying to hide her trembling, Madison saw Senator Armstrong watching from a few feet away. His expression was friendly, but his eyes were flat.

Felix stiffened immediately, stepping away like a child caught doing something wrong.

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