Page 46 of A Dangerous Proposal

Alex had to concentrate on keeping his breathing steady as a red haze crept over his brain.

“Obviously, after that, I told them to leave, and then I didn’t hear from my sister again until she called from a gas station after Felix had beat the hell out of her because she had decided to keep Jax.”

Fury ripped through him. He was going to kill that pathetic fucker. Not just for beating his pregnant girlfriend, though that alone was reason enough.

Alex saw right through Madison’s slick‘he made a pass’comment. Her knuckles had turned white, and her face was rigid.

Felix was going to pay, and Alex intended it to be painful.

Oblivious to the storm raging inside him, Madison continued her story. “I think that moment was her rock bottom. After that, she really made an effort to change.”

“You took her in?”

“She was my baby sister, and she needed help. Her addiction made Opal’s pregnancy more difficult, and it was easier to support her if she lived with me. She worked really hard to get clean for Jax, and she did. That’s why it’s so hard to accept that she drove herself out to some rest stop off the highway to get high.

“She was doing so well and was so optimistic about the future. Opal even mentioned moving out, though I have no idea how she thought she was going to pay for it.”

Madison finished her coffee. “Well, now that we’ve both laid out our proverbial dirty laundry, I really should go. I’ve got a lot to do today before I pick up Jax.”

Alex raised a brow, knowing an exit line when he heard one. He didn’t bother calling her out on it. Instead, he smirked. “While I’m sure you could stop traffic going outside in just myshirt, I think the responsible thing for me to do for my fellow Atlantans is to lend you a pair of sweatpants.”

“So noble,” she laughed, the bright sound piercing through the darkness inside of him. “Prince Charming strikes again.”

“I try.” He smiled, and putting his hand to his chest, he gave her a short bow. “I could save you, you know.”

“Oh?” she chuckled. “How is that?”

“You could marry me, and I could make all your problems disappear.”

Madison started to laugh but then stopped when she saw he was serious.

“Hear me out. Felix is playing the dual parent family card. You could do the same.”

She made a small choking sound before she cleared her throat. “Look, last night was unbelievable, and I like you, I do, but?—”

He held up a hand to hold off her outright rejection of the offer. “I’m not suggesting this because I’ve fallen madly in love with you at first sight, Madison. I have some of my own things going on with my business that having a wife would help with. You need a husband and endless finances to help you fight Felix. I’m just asking that you think about it.”

She stared at him dumbfounded for a moment, like she couldn’t tell if he was going to suddenly shout, “Just kidding.”

Finally, she sucked in a breath and said, “I’m going to get changed now,” before disappearing into his bedroom.

Madison had been breathtakingly sexy in the blue dress the night before, but Madison in his dress shirt and sweatpants, with the hem rolled over several times to hold it up and his socks on her feet, made his chest feel full in a way he didn’t recognize.

“My driver will take you?—”

“I already called a car. It should be almost here.” His brow furrowed. “Don’t argue with me, Alex. It’s been a lovely night and morning. Don’t ruin it by going all bossy alpha-male on me.”

Alex decided it wouldn’t be wise to point out that she’d enjoyed his bossiness very much the night before.

“If you insist,” he said, summoning the elevator.

They rode down in silence, and when the doors opened, he could clearly see her rideshare through the glass lobby doors.

“One more thing.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. “This is an attorney I know, Amanda King. She’s a shark. Give her a call. Maybe she can help.”

“Alex,” she shook her head. “I can’t afford?—”

“She owes me a favor.” Alex folded her fingers over the paper. “Just call her.”

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