Page 147 of A Dangerous Proposal

Alex’s hand tightened on the door handle. “It crossed my mind.” He shrugged, his tone calm, almost casual. “If I’m killed, get my family to Declan Bloom. He’ll know what to do.”

Liev’s jaw clenched. “Alex, I’d?—”

“I know you would,” Alex cut him off, resting a hand on his shoulder. “But you can’t risk it. You’ve got to be smart.”

Liev’s eyes darkened, but he nodded once.

Chapter Forty-Five

The house was too quiet. Jax had been asleep for hours, but Madison couldn’t relax. She paced the length of the living room until her feet ached then sat on the staircase, eyes trained on the dark driveway through the window.

Where is he?

The screen on her phone was dark despite her repeated glances, and she didn’t want to text Alex in case she interrupted something. She’d heard his voice earlier. Sheknewsomething was wrong, and the fact that he wouldn’t… or couldn’t tell her, made her sick with anxiety.

What will I do if he doesn’t come home? If something happens to him?

Her pulse thrummed in her ears, each passing minute stretching unbearably longer. Madison stood, paced the length of the foyer several more times, and then sat down again, resting her elbows on her knees. Her fingers tapped nervously against the stone riser.

The distant sound of a car made her head snap up. Lights flashed at the end of the driveway, growing brighter with each passing second. Relief surged through her—until she saw Liev climb out of the driver’s side and move to the passenger door.

Her heart stopped.

Liev opened the door and helped Alex out, one arm wrapped around his waist, steadying him. Under the house lights, she saw a dark stain across Alex’s ribs, soaking one side of his white shirt.

Madison threw open the front door and practically fell down the stairs in her hurry. “Alex!”

“I’m okay,” he said through gritted teeth, but his pale face and the blood all over him told a different story.

“You’re not okay!” She stared at him trying to gauge the damage. “You’re bleeding. Why aren’t you at the hospital?”

“It’s just a scratch.” His voice was thin, and she lifted her gaze to Liev.

Liev gave her a grim look. “Let’s get him inside.”

Madison nodded, holding the door open as they maneuvered Alex into the house. Sagging on the couch, he slumped back with a low groan.

His eyes fluttered closed for a second before snapping back open.

“Liev, call a doctor,” Madison ordered, panic threading her voice.

“No doctor,” Alex murmured hoarsely. “We can’t risk it.”

Her eyes flashed. “We can’t risk you bleeding out on the furniture, either.”

Liev cleared his throat. “He’s right. We can’t involve anyone we don’t trust. I’ve stitched him up worse than this before. I’m going to get some supplies.”

Madison knelt beside Alex. “This isn’t a scratch.”

Alex’s hand closed over hers, his touch firm despite the pain in his eyes. “Liev’s actually pretty good at this.”

Madison glanced at the door, then back to Alex. “You’re lucky,” she muttered. “But you’re not invincible, Alex.”

“Noted,” he rumbled, his eyes never leaving hers.

Liev returned with a bottle of vodka and handed it to Alex without a word. Alex unscrewed the cap with his teeth and took a long pull, wincing as Liev cut the remains of his shirt off him.

Madison gasped at the ugly wound in his side, the blood obscuring some of the black swirls of his tattooed torso.

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