A Dangerous Proposal

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

“ N o hitting, Jax.” Madison said sharply as she saw his hand come up after the little boy near him picked up the plastic dinosaur Jax had set down. Jax scowled, but his arm lowered.

“God, I love that kid,” Cami laughed, lifting her arm to shield her eyes from the sun low on the horizon beyond the playground’s sandbox. “Also, not a bad reminder for us. No screaming. No hitting. We might just survive this handoff.”

Madison laughed. “No promises.”

Cami nudged her with an elbow. “I’m here. If Felix so much as looks at you sideways, I’ll accidentally spill my hot tea on him.”

Madison gave her friend a small smile. She appreciated Cami trying to cheer her up. “I thought I would get used to these weekend visitations…” She blew out a breath. “Why does the judge not care that my only free time is on the weekends, too?”

Cami’s face darkened. “Something is definitely going on. You and I worked in that system for too long to believe that this case is progressing normally.”

“I know. But I don’t know what I can do to stop it other than what I’m doing. I have a new lawyer, and she’s made some headway, but she can’t get the judge to just reverse all his previous rulings.” She made a face. “I guess I got what I paid for with the old lawyer—He was a complete disaster.”

“Do you want James to look into it? Surely he or Luke must know someone?—”

She stopped when Madison reached over to hug her. “I appreciate it, I do. But I honestly don’t think there is anything they can do. I have faith in this new attorney.”

Cami huffed a frustrated breath. “How much longer do we have until the asshole gets here?”

Madison checked her phone. “Fifteen minutes.”

“Perfect. Time to gossip,” Cami said, stretching her legs out and changing the subject. “Tell me something scandalous. Seen any sexy Russians lately?”

“Actually—” But before she could tell her friend about Alex coming to the park last week, a young woman stopped in front of them.

“Madison Amherst? You’re Madison, right? Opal’s sister?”

Madison’s stomach clenched. “Yes.”

“I’m Brynn,” the woman said with a wide smile. “We’ve never met, but I recognized you… You look so much like her… And I’ve seen your picture.”

She waved her hands. “Sorry, I’m babbling. I do that when I’m nervous. I just saw you over here… That’s my daughter.” She pointed to where Jax sat in the sandbox with a little girl his age. “Abbie.”

Brynn laughed nervously. “I’m making a mess of this. I only wanted to say hello and tell you how sorry I was to hear about Opal.”

Madison swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat. “Thank you.”

“Opal and I were friends in high school.”

Madison nodded, unsure of what she was supposed to say.

“Is that your son?” Brynn asked, looking at Jax.

A heavy weight pressed down on her lungs. Madison hated these moments. She wanted to say, “Yes! He’s my son.” But when it was someone who had known Opal, it almost felt like Madison was trying to replace her.

“He’s Opal’s.”

Brynn’s mouth formed a little O. “I’m sorry, I’d forgotten. I heard she’d been pregnant. She was a nice girl, but way too trusting. Felix is his father?”

“More like sperm donor,” Cami added.

Brynn nodded. “Never understood what she saw in him. I mean, I get the whole bad boy thing… He was just…” She stuck her tongue out and grimaced. “Felix… I don’t get the appeal. I couldn’t believe when I saw on social media that Mary Armstrong had married him.” She shook her head.

“Why?” Cami asked.

The woman’s eyes brightened. “Because Felix couldn’t stand her in high school. He and Opal used to make fun of Mary because she was so cringy. Always staring at him like a creeper.” She blanched. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean Opal was mean just…”

“It’s fine,” Madison managed.

She was well aware of what her sister was capable of. Particularly after she got involved with Felix.

“I didn’t realize Opal and Mary knew each other.” Because neither Felix nor Mary had ever mentioned it. That seemed strange.

“Oh, yeah.” Brynn nodded, clearly relieved she hadn’t offended Madison. “They weren’t like… ya know… friends. But you know how it is at that school…”

Madison shook her head. “No, my parents moved here after I went to college.” Guilt churned in her stomach.

Sensing the shift in Madison, Cami asked. “Did you and Opal stay in touch?”

“Not really. I went away to college, and she stayed here…”

“Right.” Madison said tightly. There was no possibility of Opal going to college after she’d become a full-blown addict.

Brynn smiled then. “It’s funny though, because we both ended up having kids at the same time, regardless.” She looked thoughtful. “Now that I think about it, the last time I saw Opal was at Mary’s lake house.”

“What?” Madison sat forward. “I thought you said they weren’t friends.”

Brynn’s face turned crimson. “They weren’t. She and Felix, had, um…. broken in to host a house party.” Her cheeks flamed brighter. “It wasn’t like a big party, just like fifteen people from high school. I didn’t realize the situation until after I’d been there for a while. Felix was being really gross, talking about how he had the security code because he’d come up there to have sex with Mary, and how she’d do anything for him.”

Cami cast a look at Madison. “He said this in front of his girlfriend ?”

Brynn chewed her lip. “Yeah. I think Opal already knew though… You know how they were…” She glanced at Madison and then quickly averted her gaze. “The definition of toxic. But I guess he went too far because then Opal was screaming at him and breaking stuff. That’s when I left.”

“When was this?”

Brynn startled at Madison’s sharp tone. “Um, it wasn’t long after college graduation, and I found out I was pregnant in August… so Juneish?”

Opal would have already been pregnant.

Did she know yet? Was that why she was so angry this time?

Her brain was whirling. Opal left Felix in August, then he disappeared.

How had he found himself back with Mary?

Did Mary know what Felix had done?

Could Madison use that somehow?

“Uh, wow. Speak of the devil.”

Madison’s head snapped up, and she heard Cami mutter an obscenity under her breath. She glared at the approaching couple.

“Oh, they’re here for…” Brynn looked like a deer in the headlights as her head swiveled from Madison to Jax, then to Felix and Mary. “This must be her dream come true,” she muttered.

“Why?” Cami asked.

Madison was too busy concentrating on her breathing as she shoved Jax’s snacks and toys into his diaper bag to pay much attention to what the women were saying.

She stood and shouldered the white purse. It had gotten such a reaction the last time, Madison had decided to be petty and wear it to every hand off.

Brynn flushed again. “I just meant Mary always wanted Felix and babies. Now she gets both. Which is fine, of course… I mean, I know she was upset when she found out she couldn’t have kids…”

“What are you talking about?” Madison snapped, the woman’s words breaking through her anxiety at having to say goodbye to Jax.

“Mary… We were in the same sorority at UGA. She told a group of us one night that she can’t have kids.” Brynn’s eyes were wide in her face, growing more wary the closer the couple got. “I don’t know why… She was sick as a kid, or something didn’t grow right… I don’t remember…” She broke off, her voice growing panicked under Madison’s fierce scrutiny. “I should probably go…” Brynn quickly picked up her daughter and sent a wave toward the couple before scurrying away.

“That was fucking weird,” Cami said under her breath.

It had been, but it also had Madison’s brain racing.

“Madison,” Mary greeted as she reached her. “Was that Brynn Warren?”

“Yes, I’d never met her before. She wanted to give me her condolences for Opal.”

The muscles at the corners of Felix’s eyes twitched.

“I wonder why she didn’t stay to say hi.” Mary smiled easily. “We were all friends.”

“Really? That’s not how she made it sound. Not the biggest fan of yours, Felix.” Madison intentionally goaded him.

“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 the Gelateria 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 way was her 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.

Taking the drink, Madison reached for her purse, but Ivan held up his hands. “On the house.” He smiled at her, but this time his expression had a slightly oily look. “I’m glad you came in. We didn’t really get to talk last time you were here.”

Yeah, because I was your girlfriend’s guest, Slimeball.

Madison shrugged. “I’m surprised you even remembered me.”

Ivan lifted the bottle to refill her glass, but she shook her head and covered the glass with her hand.

“You aren’t exactly a woman a man’s likely to forget.”

His eyes trailed down her body, and she scrunched her face in disgust. Madison opened her mouth to tell him how gross he was when his eyes landed on something behind her, and his face paled drastically.

“Letting other men buy you drinks, Angel. I’m crushed.”

The silky voice behind her sent shivers up her spine.

“Just happened to be driving by again?” She smiled, feeling happier than she should to see him.

“It’s my brother’s club,” Alex murmured in her ear and then pressed a kiss to her temple. “I hope you’re taking good care of my future wife.”

The words hung in the air, the deadly undercurrent in his voice impossible to miss.

Her pulse picked up pace, and her thighs pressed together as lust shot through her. The possessiveness in his voice shouldn’t affect her like this. She hated bossy men, but his voice—those words—sent something wild rushing through her veins.

What is wrong with me?

“Alex, I’m not—” Her objection was cut off when Alex took her hand and squeezed, his eyes never leaving an obviously terrified Ivan.

“Of—of course.” Ivan swallowed roughly. “Can I get you a drink, Mr. Kovalyov?”

Alex didn’t bother to answer. Using his hold on Madison’s hand, he pulled her to her feet. “Come on, Angel. If you want vodka, the good stuff is upstairs.”

“Wait!” Madison said as he towed her up the steps. “Where are we going? What are you doing here?”

“We are going to raid my brother’s stash, and then you are going to tell me what’s wrong.”

“Why do you think anything’s wrong?” she asked, allowing herself to be propelled up another flight of stairs and into an office.

Alex opened the bottom drawer of the small desk and pulled out a bottle half full of clear liquid and two short glasses. Madison assumed it was the vodka he’d mentioned, but she wasn’t sure because the label was in Cyrillic.

Alex held the glasses up to the light and then set them back down, making a face, and lifted the bottle to his lips instead.

“I can’t believe it’s half full. My brother is slipping.” Alex took another swig from the bottle and then handed it to her. “This stuff won’t give you a nasty hangover.”

Madison stared into his intense, silvery blue eyes for a moment before taking the bottle and a tentative sip, and then a larger one. “This is vodka?”

It didn’t taste like anything she’d ever had. Turning the bottle, she looked at the label. “What’s the name of it? It’s delicious.”

Alex chuckled, taking the bottle from her. “You can’t buy it in the States. Now, tell me what happened.”

She snatched the bottle back. “Are you following me?” In her annoyance, she swallowed more than she meant and began coughing.

“Easy, there’s no rush.”

Madison glared at him. “You didn’t answer the question.”

“I’m not following you. My cousin saw you on the street and said you looked upset. He saw you come in here.”

“Your cousin was on the street.” She gave him an ‘oh really,’ look.

“I told you, this is one of my brother’s clubs. Why wouldn’t my cousin be here?”

Okay, that sounded plausible. Madison’s thoughts were getting a little hazy, and she realized Alex was right. She needed to slow down. Setting the bottle on the desk, she let out an enormous sigh.

“Talk.”

If she had any sense, she would turn around and walk down the street to the Gelateria Fior and eat ice cream until she was clear enough to drive.

Alex was not her friend, he was not her confidant except… She wanted to tell him. Wanted to unload all the shit in her brain that was making her crazy. Because she knew that no matter what she said, he wouldn’t look at her any differently.

“I heard something today that has me spinning.”

Alex cocked his head. “I’m all ears, Angel.”

Ten minutes later, Madison was pacing angrily across the small space as everything spilled out of her. Her frustration with her sister, her anger at Felix, the things she’d learned from Brynn, and her belief that she was missing something.

“I feel like it’s right here.” She poked at her temple. “Right here , but I’m missing it. I’m missing it, just like I missed how in over her head my sister was.”

Snatching a throw pillow off the couch, she screamed into it, unable to contain the volcano of emotions erupting inside of her.

“Don’t do that,” Alex said, pulling the pillow away from her face. “I don’t even want to imagine what it’s seen. Here.”

Chest heaving, Madison looked at the small glass in his hand. “What?”

“Throw it.”

“What?”

Alex pressed the glass into her hand. “I don’t want you to get hepatitis from a pillow. Throw the glass.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because…”

Alex’s hand suddenly cupped the back of her neck, his thumb pressing against her pulse point, and squeezed lightly before letting go. “You are bottling it up. Let it out before it poisons you.”

His gaze dropped to her mouth, and her core clenched against the slow thrum of arousal now wreaking havoc on her nervous system.

Alex’s eyes darkened to midnight. “Throw the fucking glass, Madison,” he growled.

And then he stepped back. Madison stared at him, her brain several moments behind her body’s reaction. Her chest heaved, and then before she realized what was happening, her arm was moving, and the glass flew, shattering against the wall.

Another glass appeared in her hand. “Again.”

This time, Madison didn’t hesitate. Wrapping her fingers around it, she let her anger, frustration, and sadness flow down her arm as she hurled it as hard as she could.

Holy shit. That does feel good.

“Try this.”

“A vase?”

“I’ll buy him another.”

“Shouldn’t you be telling me to calm down?”

Alex's lips lifted at the corners. “When in the history of the universe has telling someone to calm down worked? Besides, you are rightfully upset. What’s the point of denying it?”

Pieces of the vase cascaded over the wall. The edge was gone from her anger, but Madison could still feel her heart pumping too hard, her blood hot in her veins.

“How are you feeling now?”

“Still really fucking agitated,” Madison admitted, looking around the room, “But it looks like I’m out of things to break.”

“Then scream.”

“You said I’d get a disease from the pillow.”

Alex’s gaze met hers, and heat flooded between her legs. “Scream as loud as you want, Angel. It won’t bother me.”

“I can think of something I’d rather do.”

Madison didn’t wait for him to respond. Her fingers curled into the front of his shirt, yanking him forward. Their mouths collided in a brutal, searing kiss making her light-headed. The taste of him mixed with the anger still rushing through her body was almost too much. Every nerve in her body lit up as his lips claimed hers, rough and demanding.

Alex let her take control for a heartbeat before his grip tightened on her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh through her jeans. Her body molded to his as he pulled her flush against him, the hard ridge of his arousal pressing insistently into her stomach.

Her breath hitched when his teeth grazed her lower lip. A tiny sting that sent a spark of need straight to her core.

“Careful, Angel,” Alex rasped against her mouth. His hand slid up to cup her neck, his thumb tracing her fluttering pulse. He forced her chin up, his stormy eyes locking onto hers. “I’m not feeling gentle right now.”

“Good.” Her nails scraped down his chest, and Madison tugged his shirt free from his waistband, popping buttons as her fingers moved with desperate urgency. “Neither am I.”

With a wicked smile, he dragged his thumb across her lower lip. “Then get on your knees.”

Madison trembled as the words sent a shock of raw desire ricocheting through her. Without hesitation, she sank to her knees on the soft rug in front of the desk, her fingers already working to unfasten his belt. The metallic clink echoed in the quiet room as she tugged it free.

Her palms skimmed his hips, and the heat of his body burned through the fabric of his pants. Pushing up his loose shirt, she traced the intricate lines of ink along his lower abdomen, his muscles tensing beneath her touch.

He sucked in a breath as she placed a soft kiss just above his boxer-briefs before pulling him free. Savoring how touching him made her feel, Madison wrapped her hand around him, stroking slowly.

Alex groaned, his fingers tangling in her hair. “Open for me, Angel.”

Madison parted her lips, her tongue swirling around the tip before taking him deeper. His groan turned into a guttural growl, vibrating through his chest as his hips jerked forward involuntarily.

“Beautiful,” Alex rasped, his voice thick and raw. “So fucking beautiful.”

She glanced up, meeting his gaze. His normally intense eyes were half-lidded, his jaw clenched tight as he fought to maintain control. The sight of him nearly undid her. Her core throbbed and her own pulse raced as she reveled in the power over him. Her ability to reduce this powerful, dangerous man to this.

Alex’s chest heaved, his grip in her hair growing almost painfully tight. Abruptly, he pulled back. “Up. Now.”

His voice was rough, the command sending a thrill straight down her spine. Before she could catch her breath, he hauled her to her feet, his hands already working the button on her jeans. The denim scraped down her legs, her panties going with them in one swift movement as she kicked them away.

Lifting her onto the edge of the desk, the cool surface against her bare thighs contrasted sharply with the burning heat radiating from his body. Madison’s heart pounded as she heard the crinkle of foil, and then felt the hard press of him between her legs.

“You still want to scream, Angel?” Alex’s breath was warm against her ear, and she whimpered. His teeth grazed her earlobe before biting down just hard enough to make her shiver.

“I hope you do. Because I want to hear you. I want everyone in this building to know exactly who you belong to.”

A shudder tore through her at his words, and before she could respond, he thrust into her, hard and deep. Madison gasped, her fingers scrambling for purchase on the edge of the desk as he set a brutal pace.

His body drove into hers, every stroke sending waves of pleasure radiating through her. Alex banded an arm around her back holding her in place. Madison slid her hands up his chest, over his shoulders, and around his back, nails digging in as she clung to him. She could feel the muscles in his back flexing beneath his shirt with every powerful thrust.

“Alex. Oh my god.” Madison gripped his biceps, desperate to ground herself. “It’s too much. I can’t.” She gasped, as he changed the angle, and bright flashes of light appeared in her vision as her body clamped hard around him.

Her breath coming in ragged gasps, she bit her lip, trying to stifle the cries building in her throat.

“No,” he growled, his hand fisting in her hair again, tugging her head back so she was forced to meet his gaze. “Let them hear you, Angel. Scream for me.”

Madison couldn’t hold back any longer. A loud keening scream broke free, raw, and high-pitched, as he drove her higher. His hand slid between their bodies, his fingers finding her clit, circling and pressing until her vision blurred.

“That’s it,” he urged. “Come for me, Angel.”

Her body shattered around him, the orgasm ripping through her like a tidal wave. Madison's legs trembled uncontrollably as pleasure overwhelmed her senses. Alex didn’t stop, still driving into her through every aftershock, his body relentless until she was gasping for air, completely boneless beneath him.

With a final deep thrust, he groaned her name, his body tensing as he found his own release.

For a long moment, the only sound in the room was their labored breathing, and then Alex leaned down, brushing a surprisingly tender kiss against her lips before stepping back.

“Well,” Madison said after a beat, her voice still breathless. “That’s officially my new favorite anger management technique.”

Alex burst out laughing before he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and burying his face in her neck. “Anytime you need to let off steam, Angel, you know where to find me.”

Her legs cramped slightly as she slid off the desk, her body still humming. She bent to retrieve her jeans, tugging them on with trembling hands, her cheeks flushing, suddenly feeling awkward and embarrassed.

Alex finished tucking in his shirt, eyeing her curiously.

“What do you think we should call it? Desk therapy?” He gave her a wicked smile.

Madison knew he was trying to put her at ease, and she appreciated it.

“Maybe.”

She eyed the mess of broken glass and porcelain on the floor. “I should get a broom or something.”

Alex laughed and held the door open for her. “Don’t even think about it.”

Madison avoided making eye contact with any of the employees as they made their way to the exit. Alex walked her to her car, and as she clicked her seat belt into place, he cupped her cheek.

“Just so you know, this is a 24/7 emergency therapy service.”

Madison smiled and shook her head. “Good to know.”

But as she watched him walk away, she couldn’t help the pang in her chest. Alex wasn’t an easy person to walk away from, but Madison knew that if she wasn’t careful, she could end up losing herself completely to him.