Page 58 of A Dangerous Proposal

“Because she’s a stuck-up bitch. Something you should be familiar with,” Felix sneered.

“But you used to party with her? Right, Felix?” Madison pressed, trying to keep the anger out of her voice. “She said the last time she saw Opal, it was with you at a party.” She looked at Cami over her shoulder. “A lake house party, I think she said. Were you there, Mary?”

Felix’s hands balled into fists, and his wife put a hand on his arm.

“While this trip down memory lane is fun, I don’t think it’s particularly helpful to rehash the past. Felix is a different person now.” Mary’s smile was brittle around the edges. “Is Jax ready?”

Madison was still fuming after they drove away.Think, Madison!There was something going on, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Something about those last months Felix and Opal had been together, and her gut was telling her it had something to do with Mary. What had Felix said…

‘She was a greedy bitch just like you trying to get one over on my father-in-law and me.’

When had that happened? What did he mean? What had Opal done?

“Are you okay?” Cami asked, pulling her from her thoughts. “Do you want to come to dinner with me and James?”

Madison shook her head, trying to hide the frustration and anger churning inside her. “I’m fine. Thanks again for coming with me.”

“Anytime.”

Despite her words to Cami, Madison wasn’t fine. And as she drove, she made turns that took her further and further from her home. She had a sudden craving for her favorite ice cream, mint fudge chocolate chip, from theGelateria Fior. She finally found a spot about a block from the specialty store in Buckhead.

If Felix is up to something, or if I can prove he did something, it could be the evidence I need to keep Jax…

Madison came to a halt on the sidewalk and looked around, frowning. Had she walked the wrong way coming out of her car? Which waywasher car?Crap!

Clutching her hair, she let out an exasperated screech and then glared when a woman approaching from the opposite way stepped into the street to avoid her.

Nothing to see here. Just a woman losing her mind.

“Rough day?” A voice asked from behind her.

“Yes.” Madison said through gritted teeth, not bothering to look up.

“Madison, right?” The sound of her name got her attention, and she swung around.

“Do I know you?”

Was he a fan? He looked vaguely familiar.

“We met on New Year’s. You were here with Shana.”

Shana? She recognized him then. The manager, Ivan.

“Sorry.” She smiled weakly. “Just having a moment here.”

“Not a problem. Want to come in? Have a drink? We don’t open for a few hours, but you look like you could use one.”

Madison hesitated but then shrugged. A drink, preferably strong, might be better than ice cream. Besides, she could still get the ice cream after.

“Actually, that sounds great.”

Ivan led her into the club, the bright overhead lights giving the space an unfamiliar feel. Without the pulsing music and shadows, it seemed smaller. A few employees moved about, sweeping and resetting chairs. Ivan walked behind the bar while Madison hopped onto a nearby stool. “What can I get you?”

“Vodka.”

The word instantly conjured Alex’s face, and she found herself wishing he were there. Logically, Madison accepted she barely knew the man, but there was something about his steady, unshakeable confidence that made her feel like he could shelter her. As if no matter how heavy a weight the world threw on her, he wouldn’t let her fall.

For someone whose life had lately felt like it was on a constantly shaking foundation, that confidence was irresistible.

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