Page 93 of A Dangerous Proposal

Alex met her gaze, his expression unyielding. “I don’t need to remind you to keep this confidential.”

Madison shot to her feet so fast he barely had time to react. “Don’t fuckingpatronizeme, Alex,” she snapped. “What thefuckdoes ‘complications’ mean?”

His jaw ticked. “It means we can’t play as dirty as I’d hoped.”

Shock flickered across her face, quickly followed by betrayal.

“But it also means they will be under the same interdict,” he added, his tone measured. “They can’t touch you or do anything to smear your reputation because you are a Kovalyov now.”

Her bitter laugh filled the room. “Is that supposed to comfort me?”

“Mikhail wants the court to handle it.”

Her breath hitched. “So, that’s it? After everything you promised?Nothinghas changed.”

The way she looked at him—like she had already decided he had failed her—fueled the anger simmering just beneath his skin.

“It’s not that simple,” he ground out. “Mikhail is thepakhan. I can’t openly defy him, but that doesn’t mean?—”

“Not that simple?” she choked out, cutting him off. “I married you foronereason.One. Youpromisedme you could keep Jax safe. You said no matter what… And now you’re telling me your brother has decided Felix isuntouchable?”

“I’m well aware of what I promised,” he seethed. “There is still plenty I can do, but it’s going to take time?—”

“I don’thavetime!” Madison’s voice rose, panic seeping in. “Youknowthat. He is manipulating the courts somehow.”

Her breath turned ragged, her chest rising and falling too fast. She pressed a hand to her sternum, as if she were struggling to breathe.

“It was all for nothing,” she whispered, voice breaking. “Jax?—”

“Madison.” His glass hit the table with a thunk, and he crossed the space between them, gripping her shoulders tightly.

“Breathe,” he ordered.

She twisted away from him. “I will never let him have Jax.” Her raw voice sliced through him. “I don’t care what I have to do orwhoI upset.Never.”

Her arms wrapped around her stomach, and her hair fell forward, shielding her expression. “You said we were partners… I trusted you,” she whispered, the words barely audible.

Alex inhaled sharply, his body going rigid and his patience snapped.

“This isn’t aboutloyalty,” he bit out. “This is aboutsurvival. Mikhail gave a direct order. If I go against him, it’s not justmylife on the line.”

Alex exhaled roughly and shoved a hand through his hair.

“I’m not giving up.” He did his best to make his voice sound calm. “I won’t let Felix take Jax.”

“How am I supposed to believe that?”

His throat worked, and something uncomfortable settled inside him.

“Listen to me. All Mikhail’s order means is that I can’t blackmail Armstrong or threaten him into pulling his support for Felix. It means I can’tkillFelix outright.”

Madison's shoulders dropped. She looked defeated. Hopeless.

“It doesn’t mean there’snothingI can do.” His jaw clenched. “This isn’t over. It just meansI have to change my approach.”

A cold feeling crept over his skin as she stared at him, the fire he loved in her, all but extinguished.

“I’m going to bed.”

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