A Dangerous Proposal

Chapter 1

Chapter One

M adison Amherst clenched her jaw and turned her back on the two men who’d been blatantly staring at her for the last five minutes.

They weren’t even trying to be subtle, and she wasn’t in the mood to play nice with others.

Lifting her glass, she took a slow sip, wishing the bubbles were champagne instead of club soda. Alcohol would help take the edge off, but she couldn’t afford even one mistake—not with Felix’s lawyer watching her every move, ready to pounce on any excuse to paint her as unfit to raise Jax.

She scanned the crowded restaurant, silently willing Cami to find her and end this miserable night.

Where is she?

The scene at celebrity chef Kip Jordan’s newest hotspot was loud, over-packed, and exactly the kind of place she hated—full of Atlanta’s elite, all desperate to be seen.

She hadn’t wanted to come, but Kip was their biggest advertiser, and Cami shouldn’t have to deal with the creep alone. Madison owed her that, and so much more.

Especially since her best friend had been carrying more than her fair share of the workload lately while Madison’s life crumbled around her.

One of the men behind her laughed loudly, and her fingers flexed hard on her cup. Madison didn’t turn to look, but she felt them move closer, crowding her space.

Just breathe, she reminded herself .

Focus on the goal. Once Kip re-signs his ad deal, we can go back to only thinking about the show.

Madison loved their cold case podcast, Murder She Spoke . Not only because she enjoyed working with her best friend, but because the job gave her an outlet to help people—hopefully to find the answers they needed.

Over the last few years, two of their seasons had broken cases open and contributed to arrests. She was proud of that, even if the family court system seemed to think her job exposed her nephew Jax to danger. Madison only hoped she would get the same closure as the families they’d helped. That someday she would learn the truth about what exactly happened the afternoon her sister died of a suspected accidental drug overdose.

Accidental, my ass.

Madison’s heart rate surged as the call from her attorney that afternoon replayed in her head.

“Felix’s motion for unsupervised visitation has been approved.”

A knot of panic squeezed in her chest at the thought of that monster having any part in Jax’s life, much less spending time alone with him. Felix may not have injected Opal himself, but he was still responsible in Madison’s mind.

She didn’t care if he was telling the truth about being sober. Nothing could change the fact that he had manipulated and abused her little sister for years.

I will die before I let that bastard get custody of Jax.

Madison gazed wistfully at the cocktails being passed around as she finished her club soda

“Hey, Beautiful.”

A voice cut into her thoughts, and a slightly damp, hairy arm brushed against her bare one. She instantly pulled back and looked up to find the two men from before standing way too close. They both reeked of expensive whiskey. One wore a purple blazer over a bright paisley-print shirt, and the other was encased in an undersized sweater that, with its sleeves pushed up to his elbows, stretched over his admittedly impressive torso.

She grit her teeth and gave them a curt nod before turning her gaze away, hoping they’d take the hint and go away.

Cami, where are you?

Paisley-shirt leaned in, his eyes skimming over her. He didn’t bother hiding his appreciative gleam as his gaze lingered on the V-neck of her black dress before he leaned even closer.

“I’ll let the search party know.”

“Huh?” Madison shifted backward, her hip bumping the bar as she tried to create space between them.

“I heard heaven was looking for a missing angel.”

“Bro, that was terrible.” Tiny-sweater guffawed at his friend’s cheesy line, then he winked at her. “Even if it is completely accurate.”

Madison stared at them for a minute, their overt douchiness momentarily leaving her speechless.

“Are you for real?” she deadpanned.

Paisley-shirt shrugged undeterred. “You looked tense, and you’re too sexy for that. I thought I’d help you out. Give you a compliment. Cheer you up.”

Madison resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Tiny-sweater smirked next to his friend. “It’s a party. Don’t you like parties?”

Madison glared at him. “No.”

Paisley-shirt chuckled. “C’mon. A gorgeous girl like you shouldn’t frown so much. Smile. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad. Let me get you a drink. I promise we can help you relax.”

“No, thanks.” She’d hoped her borderline rude tone would broadcast how uninterested she was, but they apparently lacked even an ounce of self-awareness.

Paisley-shirt leaned in further, and Madison’s lip curled as his liquor-soaked breath assaulted her.

“Just one.” He winked at his friend. “We’re celebrating tonight…” He let his words trail off with the obvious hope she’d ask about what. “My Ferrari was just delivered at the dealership, and my divorce is final as of yesterday.”

“Am I supposed to care?”

The only thing worse than one annoying guy at a bar was one trying to show off in front of his friends.

Madison turned her shoulder, not bothering to wait for an answer, but the sudden hard hand on her forearm sent anger racing through her.

“Get your hand off me,” she hissed, meeting his eyes. After the day she’d had, he was messing with the wrong woman.

“Ah, don’t be like that. Let me buy you a drink.”

“I’m meeting someone.”

“No reason we can’t keep you company until they get here, is there?”

She stared at him.

Fine, the hard way it is.

“Are you stupid or just oblivious to social cues?” They gaped at her but didn’t respond. “Go away.”

“Hey, I just wanted to talk to you. You don’t have to be such a bitch.”

There was little this man could do in the crowded restaurant, so Madison allowed all the frustration brewing inside her to bubble over.

“Why should I be friendly? I don’t know you, and I’ve told you I’m not interested. Now get your fucking hand off me.”

The hand tightened painfully for a second before it released, and she resisted the urge to rub the spot.

“Frigid psycho.” Paisley-shirt’s face reddened.

Madison rolled her eyes. “Yeah. I’m the problem.”

“Fuck you.” Tiny-sweater loomed over her, and Paisley-shirt’s complexion began to rival his blazer.

A glass of champagne suddenly appeared in front of her face, and she reflexively took it before it could spill.

“Angel.” A deep, lightly accented voice, barely audible with the surrounding noise, reached her ears, and then she was facing the broad suit-jacketed back of a man as he positioned himself in front of her, forcing Paisley-shirt and Tiny-sweater to step back.

“Go away.” His tone was soft, but the command in it was undeniable, setting off incredibly inappropriate flares low in her belly.

What the hell?

She barely registered what was happening before the two men each muttered something under their breath, and then practically shoved their way through the crowd to get away from her.

“That was impressive.” Madison tilted her head back to look at the man as he turned to face her, and the air caught in her lungs leaving her abruptly lightheaded.

This isn’t real. No one is that beautiful in real life.

He was simply… breathtaking. Literally. A close-cropped beard covered his angular jaw, and silvery blue eyes bored into hers from beneath dark winged brows. Combined with thick, inky waves swept back from his sharp cheekbones, he looked like a…

“Angel?”

Madison realized she was staring openmouthed at the man. Her cheeks flushed. But then his words penetrated, and she frowned.

“Angel? Really?”

“It was an objectively terrible pickup line, but that doesn’t mean they were wrong.”

Her chin tipped up. “So, you decided to double down?”

The man shrugged nonchalantly. “I decided it was the least objectionable of all the things I wanted to call you.”

The sparkle of mischief in his eyes had her lips twitching despite herself. “I hesitate to ask what the most objectionable thing would have been.”

He didn’t answer, only cocked his head and studied her face with an intensity that was equal parts alarming and exhilarating.

Normally, Madison had no problem with silence. Part of her job was waiting out reluctant witnesses, but his intense scrutiny had her blurting out, “Are you going to tell me?”

“Tell you what?” He took a sip of champagne, arching a brow.

The tingles returned with a vengeance as she watched the muscles in his throat work. She ripped her gaze away.

“The thing I would find most objectionable?”

What are you doing?

The man’s eyes darkened for a second, and an emotion she couldn’t identify slipped across his face.

“No.”

“No?”

“No.” He smirked, and then extended his free hand. “Alex Kovalyov.”

“Madison Amherst.” She sucked in a breath at the sensation of his warm palm holding hers.

Wow. Desperate much, Madison?

She hoped Alex hadn’t noticed the embarrassing reaction, but by the heat flaring in those intense eyes, she knew he had. Her cheeks flamed again.

“Static electricity,” she muttered, pulling her hand back. She immediately missed his touch… the warmth... the strength.

Which was ridiculous.

She was ridiculous

Alex simply stared back at her. Watching.

“Thank you, by the way. For…” She inclined her chin in the direction the two men had run off.

His eyes never left hers, and she felt her body heat.

What the fuck is happening?

Never in her life had she been the object of such focused attention. It was beyond unsettling and… exhilarating .

Forcing herself to break the contact, Madison cleared her throat and gazed back at the crowd. She noticed that, despite the packed space, people weren’t passing close to them any longer.

She glanced back at the man in front of her and had the brief, fanciful thought that the crazy currents of energy he gave off created a bubble. Almost like a force-field around them—him, she corrected herself.

More likely, she thought, no one wanted to chance bumping into him. Not that his clothes weren’t obviously expensive. She recognized the tailored Brioni suit, and his watch, while not flashy, probably cost more than her car. But most of the people here were wealthy.

This man was different. He was dangerous.

It was obvious, but for some reason, it didn’t make her nervous.

It was sexy as hell.

Maybe she and her sister weren’t so different after all…

Alex smirked. She tried to hold his stare, but it was almost impossible. There was something unnerving about the way his eyes seemed to see too much—like he could read her every thought. Finally, she crossed her arms and gave him a pointed look.

“Okay, Prince Charming,” she said, with a slight tilt of her head. “If you’re going to insist on calling me Angel, it’s only fair I get to give you a nickname. And you did just swoop in and rescue me.”

His brows lifted in surprise, but there was an unmistakable glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Prince Charming?” he echoed. “Not quite what I’d have chosen, but I’ll take it.”

Madison allowed herself a small smile. “You showed up at just the right time. What else would you call a man who saves a girl from two, walking midlife crises?”

Alex leaned in, his voice dropping to a murmur that sent a shiver down her spine. “I wouldn’t get too comfortable with the fairy-tale version of me. Prince Charming’s a little… tame for my tastes.”

Her pulse quickened, but she refused to let him see how much he affected her. “You mean you’re not the knight-in-shining-armor type?”

He chuckled softly, his eyes flicking to her mouth before meeting her gaze again. “Oh, I’ll protect you, Angel. But knights play by the rules. I don’t.”

Her stomach flipped at the dark undertone in his voice.

“Good to know,” she said, keeping her voice steady, despite the butterflies taking flight in her chest. “Guess I’ll have to watch my back then.”

Alex smiled. “Or maybe, you just have to trust me to have it for you.”

His words sent a flash of heat and longing through her. What would it be like to have someone like him, genuinely fighting for her?

“You’re staring.”

“Sorry.” Madison’s cheeks heated again. “Who are you?” The words were out of her mouth before she even registered them. “I mean, I know your name, but what’s your connection to this?” She waved her hand at the crowd. It was lame, and by the look in his eyes, he saw right through her attempt to recover.

She lifted the champagne flute he’d handed her, but stopped just shy of her lips, and set it down on the bar.

“I didn’t spike your drink, Angel.” He frowned.

“Madison,” she corrected firmly, and raised a shoulder, determined to ignore the butterflies battling inside her. “I don’t know you, and I didn’t see it poured. No reason to take chances.”

“Are you always this suspicious, or is it just me, Angel?”

“Always.” She gave him an unapologetic smile, doing her best not to stare at his mouth. “Goes with the territory, Charming .”

Alex ignored the appellation as his brows lifted. “What territory is that?”

“I co-host a cold case podcast, so my brain always assumes the worst in people and situations. Kind of like a crime radar.”

Interest flared in Alex’s eyes. “Really? What’s it called?”

“ Murder She Spoke .”

“And is there a criminal here I should be worried about?” His lips quirked.

“Probably.”

He leaned past her to set down his glass, and his arm brushed hers. Even though there was a layer of fabric between them, she felt her heartbeat pickup. She took a deep breath, willing her body to calm down.

As tempting as the man in front of her was—and he was the definition of temptation—The tired voice in her head reminded her she didn’t have the bandwidth for men right now.

Isn’t that the point of a hook-up?

She ignored the horny voice in her head. “I’m here because Kip is a major advertiser.”

His eyes danced with mischief. “Does overpriced, mediocre food go well with crime?”

Madison burst out laughing. “I don’t think you can say that here. Kip has a meal delivery service. Perfect for those who want to cook and solve mysteries from the comfort of their home.”

“Fascinating.” His eyes traced over her face almost as if he were trying to memorize her. “Why crime? Why are you drawn to the darkness in the world?”

“What do you mean?” She frowned.

“Well, you’re chasing it for entertainment. Do you recognize something of yourself in it?” Alex leaned close, the spicy scent of his cologne filling her nose.

“I don’t think it’s the darkness at all. It’s the light. People have a visceral need for answers. And some people, like me, want to help others find justice.”

He cocked his head considering. “You think that helps? Does knowing how or why someone you cared about was harmed somehow lessen the pain?”

“It’s closure.”

“You sound like a psychologist.” He sounded amused, and for some reason that annoyed her.

“Ex-social worker, actually,” she bit out.

“Mm. So you are an angel.”

“Hardly.” Madison snorted. “Trust me, I’m not as nice as I look, Charming.”

His devilish smile had her pulse racing. “You’re thinking of the wrong type of angel.”

Why can’t I look away?

A current of awareness licked over her skin. She’d never met anyone like him before. He made her feel… uncomfortable… excited.

Madison bit the tip of her tongue, needing the pinch to bring her back to reality before she threw herself at him. “I don’t see myself as an angel at all.”

Alex reached out and toyed with her hair where it fell over her shoulder. The intrusion of her space should bother her. She should tell him to back off. But some key component in her brain was clearly short circuiting, because she welcomed the touch… was actively fighting the urge to move closer to him.

“Even Lucifer started off as an angel.” His breath coasted along her cheek, and goosebumps rose on her arms. He was too close. Her heart was pounding so hard she was sure he could hear it.

“You don’t have to hide any of your darkness from me, Angel. Standing next to me, you glow.”

The air froze in her lungs as his silky voice wrapped around her, making it impossible to think clearly.

“Do you still want to know?”

His lips grazed her ear, and for a second, Madison thought she might actually dissolve into a puddle right there in the middle of the restaurant.

“What?” Her voice was breathy, and she felt his lips again on the sensitive shell.

“You wanted to know what objectionable thing I was going to call you?”

Madison blinked rapidly as he pulled his head back slightly to meet her eyes. The heat in them scorched her, and her thighs clenched. She licked her suddenly dry lips.

Say something, Madison!

His lips lifted at the corners as his hand skated from her elbow to her hand, before he dipped his lips to her ear again. “Mine.”

Holy shit.

His head angled toward her, and Madison parted her lips just as she heard her name called. Alex’s hand fell from her arm.

Trying to catch her breath, Madison focused on the concerned look on her best friend’s face as she rushed toward her. Before she could ask what was wrong, Cami’s boyfriend, well sort of boyfriend, was in front of her. James’s expression was tight with unmistakable anger, and he took a step towards Alex.

“Ah, the boy scout Bloom.” Alex’s tone had changed from seductive to vaguely mocking, but Madison felt his hand brush the small of her back before Cami physically took her arm and pulled her away.

“Madison,” Cami started, her voice tense as her gaze darted between Alex and Madison. “I’ve been looking for you.”

James glared fiercely at Alex, but it only seemed to amuse him.

Madison frowned, unease replacing some of the heat she’d been feeling, though her body was still thrumming. Cami was practically vibrating with tension, and James looked like he wanted to take a swing at Alex.

Cami’s voice was too loud, when she tightened her hold on Madison’s hand. “I’m glad I found you. We need to meet with Kip before it gets too crazy in here.”

Madison blinked, the reminder of why they were at the restaurant opening working like a bucket of cold water. “Right, Kip.”

“What a delightful surprise,” Alex drawled, his eyes on James. “I didn’t think you ever left your office.”

“Kovalyov.”

“I thought I told you to call me Alex.” He let out a low chuckle when James remained silent. “Ah, James. Your brother told me you were the moral compass of the family. Can’t even bring yourself to talk to me?” James’s eyes flicked to where Cami and Madison stood nearby.

Alex’s mouth curved. “As someone who also has a brother whose methods one doesn’t always agree with, I would have thought you and I would have a lot more in common.”

“Declan is nothing like your brother. You and I have nothing in common.”

Alex spread his hands in front of him. “I wouldn’t say that. We both run a business in Atlanta?—”

“Your brother is a criminal,” James spat. “And just because you pretend you aren’t involved doesn’t mean you’re completely clean.”

“And you are? What my brother and his associates do isn’t that different from how your father and brother accomplish what they want. It’s just that one does it in a boardroom.” He clicked his tongue against his teeth. “It might surprise you to know my brother has one of those, too.”

He didn’t raise his voice, but the tone in Alex’s voice had changed. There was a sharp edge that hadn’t been there before, and Madison realized her earlier instinct was correct.

Alex Kovalyov was a dangerous man.

A muscle flexed in Alex’s jaw just as an arm was thrown over each of her and Cami’s shoulders, and a sweaty body pushed its way between them.

“My favorite murder girls!” Kip crowed. “I’m so glad you made it. And you brought the boyfriend.” He patted Cami’s shoulder.

James tensed, his narrowed gaze following the movement. He shifted as if to pull Cami away, but she gave him an imperceptible shake of her head. Madison was more interested in Alex’s reaction.

Alex’s eyes had zeroed in on where Kip’s large hand hung, hovering over her breast. His nostrils flared, and Madison felt a moment of alarm. She and Cami needed Kip’s advertising money, and Alex looked like he was about to flay the chef open with one of his own knives.

Pivoting swiftly away, Madison reached up and shook Kip’s hand, which allowed Cami to slip away as well. James immediately put his arm around her waist and tucked her tight against him.

“Kip, thank you so much for inviting us tonight. We are looking forward to working together again,” she said, smiling sweetly at the famously temperamental man.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, too.” He leered at Madison.

Alex stared hard at the man, a muscle ticking in his jaw. But Kip appeared oblivious as he leaned closer to Madison.

Cami must have sensed the impending explosion, too, because she blurted out, “It’s too bad Jax couldn’t make it tonight.”

Huh? And then it dawned on her. The last time they had seen Kip, he had made it clear he thought Madison should be included as a perk of his investment. Cami had insinuated that Jax was her jealous boyfriend waiting at home.

At the time, Madison was thrilled at the ruse, but now… Her gaze darted to Alex only to find him watching her with an inscrutable expression. She wanted to pinch her best friend—good intentions or not.

Madison forced a smile. “He stayed home.”

“I forgot you had a boyfriend, too.” Kip pouted, looking at where Cami cuddled into James. He finally seemed to notice Alex standing just behind them, and his face paled dramatically.

“Mr. Kovalyov.” Kip swallowed hard. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

Alex didn’t bother to look at Kip when he said, “Actually, I was just leaving.” Then he nodded at James. “My regards to your family and the delectable Ms. Everton.”

Madison’s stomach knotted with disappointment as she watched him walk away. Around her, she could hear the others talking, making plans to come into the office and sign the contract for a full ad campaign, but Madison wasn’t really listening.

She was fairly certain that if Cami and James hadn’t interrupted them, Alex would have kissed her. And she would have let him. Who was she kidding? She would have probably let him do a whole lot more if he’d asked.

Madison shook herself mentally. It was for the best. She didn’t have the energy for the kind of drama Alex Kovalyov was sure to bring to her life.

Because one thing she knew for sure, any interaction with that man would be… complicated.

Later that night, hours after Jax was asleep, she lay in her bed unable to stop thinking about their exchange. When James and Cami walked her to her car, James had explained who Alex was and the rumors that surrounded him. She knew she’d had a close escape. A man like that wouldn’t just consume her body, he would consume her life, and Jax had to be her first priority.

Madison didn’t doubt the truth in what James said—even though, when pressed, James admitted there was no proof of Alex being a criminal. She’d sensed the danger in Alex. But he hadn’t felt threatening… If anything, she’d felt protected. Safe.

She flipped over and aggressively fluffed her pillow before laying her head down again.

You’re an idiot. He’s in the Russian mob.

That’s not even a red flag.

He’s a giant, flashing, neon red stop sign.

Then again , she argued with herself, James said Alex’s companies were legitimate. It’s only supposition that Alex is the face of his brother’s legal activities. So, he’s not actually criminal…

Holy shit, Madison! Are you actually trying to make excuses for why it would be okay to have sex with him?

She sighed, punching her pillow again. It didn’t matter anyway. It was unlikely their paths would ever cross again. And even if they did, with everything going on in her life, she couldn’t get involved with any man right now.

So, now the only question was… How long before Alex stopped being the face of her fantasies?