Page 24 of A Dangerous Proposal

“I’ll have something brought in.”

Madison was shaking her head before he’d finished talking. “No, thank you. I really should get home. I’ve inconvenienced you enough.”

She blanched when Alex chuckled. “Inconvenienced?”

To his surprise and delight, Madison met his gaze straight on. Looked like she’d just needed a nap to get her spark back.

“You know what I mean. What happened earlier…” Her expression faltered, before her chest rose with an inhale and she squared her shoulders to face him.

Damn, she was impressive.

She might dislike the angelic comparison, but he could see her clearly as a warrior angel: blonde hair flowing around her, a sword in hand, and her face wreathed in the same fierce expression she was currently giving him.

“I appreciate everything you did today. I can never repay you for what?—”

“Saving your lives, you mean? Or protecting you from being questioned by the police?”

He saw the muscle flex in her jaw, and he had the sudden urge to smile.

“Both.”

“I’ll think of something. However, in the meantime, you can pay me back by saving my hearing,” he said. “I’m guessing by the increase in volume, Jax needs food immediately.”

Using a firm hand on the small of her back, Alex turned them both and forced her to keep stride with him. “I’m sure we can find something in the kitchen to ward off a full-blown tantrum until the food gets here.”

“Wait!” Madison stumbled as she dug in her heels to slow their progress.

He kept the pressure gentle, but there was no way for her to pull away without making it obvious.

“We might have to get creative,” Alex muttered, opening panels in the wall that hid the refrigerator. He looked at her over his shoulder. “I don’t suppose he likes champagne?”

“Alex—”

He arched a brow at her clipped tone. “Damn. Saving a life… well, two lives… doesn’t get you as far as it used to.”

Madison winced. “Alex, I’m not sure exactly what is going on here.” Her nostrils flared, and a flicker of what looked like disappointment flashed in her eyes.

Disappointment? With herself? With him?

“Or what you think I owe you…”

Understanding dawned on him, and his grip tightened on the handle before loosening again. Forcing his muscles to stay relaxed, he kept his voice neutral.

“Iexpectnothing from you. Iwantyou and Jax to stay for dinner tonight. I live alone, and it’s been an interesting day.”

He should feel ashamed for playing on her guilt, but it wasn’t a total lie. Killing that man earlier would have been entirely unremarkable—except for the image seared into his brain of a knife intended for her.

If you go through with what you’re thinking, it probably won’t be the last time she’s in danger.

Alex pushed the thought away.

He could keep them safe.

Hewouldkeep them safe.

Alex realized Madison was studying him closely, searching for any sign of insincerity. Something in his expression must have reassured her because her shoulders sank, and she let out a shaky laugh as she walked toward him.

“Okay. We’ll stay for dinner. Here.” Alex instinctively took the child shoved at him. “Champagne isn’t going to cut it. What kind of cheese is this?” She turned the wedge over, reading the label. “This will work. I don’t suppose you have any bread?”

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