Page 149 of A Dangerous Proposal

“Saved Mikhail’s life tonight,” he slurred, his eyes drifting closed before popping open again. “Probably should have let him die. That would have put an end to it.”

“Oh, Alex.” Her heart broke for him. “You try so hard to pretend you’re the villain.”

“I am, Angel. I didn’t do it for him. I did it because I’m selfish—now he owes me.” Alex licked his lips. “Puts him in my debt. Made him promise that no matter what happens, you and our children will have the protection of the bratva.”

“How is that selfish?” She stroked a thumb across the lines in his forehead.

“Because I need you. Can’t live without you.”

Her heart stuttered. “You don’t have to. And no matter how hard you try to convince me, I know you aren’t a bad man.”

“Don’t make me out to be something I’m not,” he rasped. “I’m not a good man. The blood isn’t just on my hands—It’s bone deep.”

Madison’s heart clenched. “Never mine.”

“You don’t know… the things I’ve done.” A shudder rolled through him, and he tried to pull away, but she captured his face between her hands, holding him still.

“I am under no illusion about who you are, Alexei Kovalyov,” she said, her voice steady, fingers tightening slightly against his jaw.

His eyes flickered with something unfamiliar before he masked it.

“You don’t need to hide from me,” she continued, gaze locked on his. “Never. I see the light in you alongside the darkness.”

Her lips brushed against his, a whisper of a kiss, soft and deliberate. “And I love both.”

Alex’s whole body tensed, his breath catching as he tried to pull back, but Madison refused to let him go.

She squeezed tighter, just enough to keep him close. “Because I know that darkness means there is nothing you wouldn’t do for your family.” She kissed him again, more firmly this time. “For us.”

Alex stared at her, his emotions clearly warring in his eyes.

“How could I not love you?” she whispered, letting everything she’d fought so hard to bury rise to the surface. She let him see it all—her fear, her loyalty, her love. “I am so thankful for whatever powers brought you into my life. My own personal Dark Prince Charming.”

His lips parted, something raw and desperate flashing over his face. “With you… with our son,” Alex choked out raggedly. “Sometimes I feel like there’s a chance I’m not destined for hell. That my soul isn’t completely lost?—”

“You aren’t lost Alex. I’ve got you.”

He shook his head. “Eventually you’ll?—”

Madison cut him off with another kiss, harder this time, pouring every ounce of emotion she had into it.

“Forever,” she breathed against his lips.

Chapter Forty-Six

“Thanks for coming over," Madison said to Cami as she settled into the glider in the corner of Jax’s playroom.”

“No problem,” Cami turned an elaborate puzzle toy over in her hands and lifted an eyebrow. “Does Alex think Jax is ready for this?”

Madison laughed, lifting her chin to where the toddler was ignoring all the toys around them, choosing instead to teethe on the strap of her white leather purse. “Alex won’t hear anything other than Jax is the smartest child in the universe.”

Her computer was propped open on her lap, and they were sifting through their research, trying to decide on the direction the next episode would take.

Fortunately, the internet hadn’t been as concerned about Madison’s possible involvement with a criminal as the production company had feared. If anything, it had garnered them more positive attention, and the two women were under pressure to get the next episode done.

“I was looking at the crime scene photos again last night,” Cami said.

“With the state of your stomach, right now?” Madison lifted an eyebrow. The crime scene photos had been gruesome.

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