Madison stared at him, an expression caught somewhere between disbelief and irritation.
“You don’t know who’s coming after you. You don’t know what they want. What youdoknow is that Felix is manipulating the system, pulling strings behind the scenes, and you’re running out of moves and time.”
Madison was silent, watching him with wary eyes.
Alex continued. “Felix won’t be fighting justyouanymore. He’ll have to go to war with me. That’s not a fight he wants or can win. Plus, the courts can no longer use his marital status in his favor or any financial component they throw at you.”
“Alex, you’ve been incredible, but...” She winced. “I’m not trying to be rude, but I mean the last name… your reputation.”
“Won’t be a problem. I don’t have a criminal record and have never even been arrested in this country. If Felix and his father-in-law are pressuring someone in the family court system, IpromiseI can be much more persuasive.”
He shrugged and met her look head on. “If that doesn’t work, there are other methods of dealing with him.”
“Alex.”
He could see by her expression that she understood what he meant. “No one threatens my family, Angel. Once my ring is on your finger, that is exactly who you will be.”
“In return, you get what?”
“The wife my brother wants me to have.”
Her gaze sharpened.
“I told you before, I have a situation with my business that requires a wife. Thatbusinessis keeping my brother happy. And it solvesyourproblem at the same time.”
Madison rubbed her temple, muttering something under her breath before she met his gaze again. “What kind ofmarriageare you proposing, exactly?”
Alex stretched an arm over the back of the couch, relaxed now. He’d expected more outrage or arguments. While he knew she hadn’t agreed yet, he could tell she was seriously considering it. And he didn’t feel one bit sorry that he was using the attack on her home to help himself.
“One that looks real. It has to, for both our sakes. There won’t be anything fake about our marriage.”
“What does that mean? How real?” Her eyes widened.
“We need to stay married for five years. That’s the minimum needed to avoid scrutiny—from my brother and the courts.”
“In five years, Jax will be six. He’ll know you. We’d be ripping his family apart.”
Alex smirked. “Who knows? Maybe by then you won’t want to divorce me.”
Her knuckles blanched around her glass. “And? What else?”
“And,” he continued smoothly, “I want a child.”
Silence stretched between them.
Madison’s brows furrowed, her lips parting slightly. “You… You want a kid?”
“Yes.”
Madison stared at him, searching his face for something. He wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but whatever she found made her shoulders tense.
“Alex…” She hesitated, her voice uncertain for the first time. “That’s?—”
“I’m not suggesting you get pregnant right away. Jax is young, and you are busy with your career. I think it would be nice for them to be close in age. Maybe three years?”
“Them… Close in age…” Her words trailed off, and she blinked rapidly before she frowned. “Why? You don’t evenknowme. Why would you want to have a child with me? I might be a terrible mother or some harpy?—”
“I’ve seen you with Jax,” he responded easily. “And I’ve listened to your podcast, and we’ve had some…” His lips quirked. “Moments. From what I’ve seen, you are an intelligent, courageous, beautiful woman who is driven in her career. And you do it with a kind heart. There are worse things to pass down to my child.”
