Page 99 of A Dangerous Proposal

Alex ground his teeth and shot back the rest of his drink. “His new family would, and there are also family considerations on my side, which prohibit me from utilizing my best skills.”

Declan studied him for a moment and then finished his drink. “All right. Ready when you are.” The two men rose. “Are you looking for a wet-their-pants kind of fear, or just a be-aware-of-who-you-are-fucking-with kind of fear?”

“You got bored with all that bed rest, didn’t you?” Alex grinned and then sobered. “Your primary job is to keep me from forgetting my obligations and gutting the bastard like a fish.”

Declan chuckled. “Fun.”

Alex strode through the tables with Declan at his side, aware of the looks they were drawing from the other guests. The restaurant at Armstrong’s country club was busy, but Alex barely registered the noise. His attention was fixed on one specific table.

It was perfect. He wanted Armstrong and Felix to understand that he didn’t need to operate in the dark or in his brother’s shadow. He was more than happy to meet them where they thought they were protected.

The Senator had positioned himself at the head of the table. Felix sat beside him, smug and self-assured alongside an attractive brunette Alex knew to be Mary.

The moment Felix saw him, his entire bodylocked up.

He knows who I am. Excellent.

Armstrong followed his son-in-law’s gaze, his mouth lifting in amusement as he took in Alex and the man at his side.

“Senator,” Alex drawled.

Armstrong set his drink down and cocked his head slightly as he studied them. “Mr. Kovalyov, what a surprise.”

“And this must be the infamous Felix.” Alex pinned the man with a stare. “Madison has told me so much about you. I’ve beendyingto meet you.”

Felix squirmed in his seat, tugging at his navy blazer as a red flush snuck up his neck.

Mary smiled sweetly up at him, but Alex didn’t miss the steel in her gaze.

“You must be Alex, Madison’s new husband. I have to say, I’ve been curious about the man who is living with our little Jax. My father has told me so manyinterestingthings about you.”

Not a bad opening volley.

Alex looked at the woman, reassessing her role. From what Madison had said, he’d expected Mary to sit quietly as a spectator, but he sensed she might be more in the driver's seat than Felix.

“Interestingisn’t the word I’d use for Alex,” Declan said. “I’d have thought formidable was better.”

“Ahh,” Alex clutched his chest. “I didn’t know you cared.”

Declan glowered at him. “Arrogant Asshole also comes to mind.”

“That’s two words,” Alex mused, before turning back to the three people watching them with varying degrees of confusion and irritation. “But we digress.”

The Senator’s gaze flicked toward Declan, his political smile never faltering. “Bloom, nice to see you.”

Declan turned cold violet eyes on the man. “Have we met?” His lip curled as if to convey that it was doubtful.

Armstrong didn’t flinch. “I knew your father. We had many things in common and Bloom Media has always been my preferred news outlet. I didn’t realize the two ofyouknew each other. How peculiar. It doesn’t seem as if you’d have much in common.”

“Oh, we go way back.” Alex turned his gaze to Felix. “Our mutual devotion to family and a positively animalistic approach to protecting what’s ours is a bond we’ve always shared.”

Armstrong gestured at two empty chairs. “Join us?”

“We wouldn’t want to intrude on your lovely family dinner. I just wanted to say hello. We haven’t met in person before. I wanted to be sure you recognized my face… in case we ever run into each other.” Alex turned a lethal smile on Felix.

Felix tried to keep his expression neutral, but he sank in his seat a little.

“How thoughtful of you,” Armstrong murmured.

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