Page 148 of A Dangerous Proposal

“Ready?” Liev asked, after he’d cleaned the wound. He held up a needle and thread. Liev’s carefree tone and smile infuriated her, and when Liev bent over Alex for the first stitch she thought she was going to puke.

Alex leaned back against the couch and took another long drink from the bottle. “Go easy on me. I’m delicate.”

Liev snorted. “It’s a clean through and through. Didn’t nick anything important. You’re barely even bleeding anymore, princess.”

“Barely?” Alex chuckled, then hissed when the needle punctured his skin.

“Hold still,” Liev muttered, focusing on his task. He worked quickly, stitching the wound with steady hands while Madison tried not to watch. Alex didn’t make a sound, but a sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead.

“You’re done,” Liev said a few minutes later, tying off the last stitch and sitting back. “Stop being such a baby.”

Alex tipped the bottle up again.

“I’m going to go get something to clean you up,” Madison said, hurrying to the closest bathroom for fresh towels. Rushing to the kitchen, she filled a bowl with warm water, trying to ignore the rolling of her stomach and shaking hands.

She didn’t normally have a problem with blood, but seeing Alex’s blood, knowing he…

Pasting a smile on her face, she set down her supplies, interrupting a quiet conversation between the men.

“Go take a shower,” she instructed Liev. “You’re covered in almost as much blood as he is. Take any guest room you want. I’ll stay with Alex.”

Liev stood, stretching his arms over his head. “Gladly.”

He turned to leave, but Madison stopped him, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for bringing him back to us.”

Alex’s eyes narrowed. “Hey,” he said, only half joking. “Get away from my wife.”

Liev smirked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Next time, I’ll try not to bring him back leaking so much.”

Madison sat gingerly on the sofa next to Alex, careful not to jostle him. She could feel his eyes on her as she dipped the cloth and wrung out the water before she gently wiped the blood from his ribs, careful not to get the fresh stitches wet.

They were silent as she cleaned him, and Alex rested his head back against the sofa, closing his eyes. Tears clogged her throat at the thought of what might have happened.

If he’d moved one way instead of the other. Been a half-second slower.

She pressed her palm to his chest, grateful for the steady rise and fall. He’s alive, she reminded herself.

Taping a thick gauze pad over the stitches on his ribs, she sat back. Alex opened his glassy eyes slowly, but whether it was from the pain or the alcohol, she didn’t know.

Alex watched her through half-lidded eyes. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I’m your wife,” she winked, hoping it would mask the feelings swirling inside of her. “This feels like a wifely duty.”

“You didn’t sign up for this part.”

“And you didn’t sign up for half the shit that’s been thrown at you over the last couple of months. Relax, Alex. Just let me help you,” she whispered, mimicking the words he’d given to her when she was sick.

He was quiet for a few moments, something dark crossing his face, and he turned the bottle up again. “I’m not like them… Current appearances to the contrary.” His words were slightly slurred.

“I know.” Madison brushed back the dark hair that had fallen over his forehead.

Lines furrowed between his brows. “I’m not… like my brother. It’s been so long since I was a part of… It’s not the life I want for you.”

“I know,” she repeated, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. She wanted to soothe him. Reassure him. “But it’s the life we have.”

His lids drooped, his head bobbing slightly. “I’d rather die than hurt you. Than have you think?—”

“Whatever you did, Charming. Whatever youhadto do… It’s okay.” She stroked her hand over his hair, practically petting him, fulfilling her almost desperate need to comfort him.

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