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Smiling wide, Alex met Cole’s challenge head-on. “I urge you to step aside, Cole, before Jordan unleashes her fury on you.“ Leaning in, he added, “And trust me, neither of us wants that.”
Cole’s eyes darted between Alex and Jordan, a flicker of fear within them. It was an unexpected sight for a man hardened by countless brushes with evil. Alex looked on, amused.
Jordan’s seductive gaze traced Cole’s body, a sly smile curling her lips. She teased him with a finger down his chest, melting Cole’s trademark armor like chocolate under a flame-thrower. “All right, all right, I give.” Cole raised both arms in surrender while stepping away from the door.
Alex gripped the doorknob.
“Is there any way I can talk you out of going in there?” Cole’s plea hung in the air, brimming with genuine concern.
For a split second, Alex paused, considering the potential consequences. Interrupting a high-stakes interrogation would have consequences. This was no longer his old pal. Paco was formidable, and Alex risked the wrath of one of the most powerful men in the world.
But before he could second-guess himself, a pained outcry pierced through the door. “You. Scratched. My. Car!”
In a swift, decisive move, Alex gripped the doorknob and turned. “Nope.”
As the door swung open, time froze.
Paco wasn’t addressing a man. It was a boy. A brash kid not older than sixteen staring defiantly out the French door.
The sight of his youthful face, reflected with startling clarity in the glass, was a sharp arrow straight through Alex’s heart. He knew that face—a glimpse of someone he knew…and the boy he once was.
In that split second, the earth flipped, and Alex’s heart skipped several beats, nearly stopping as his breath caught in his throat.
Everything around him blurred into one huge cluster of…
“What the fuck?”
CHAPTER8
MADISON
“What the fuck?” a woman’s voice hushed out, her cool mountain accent in full swing.
Madison blinked her eyes open, her vision adjusting to the cool and dimly lit room. Sunlight filtered through the sheer window coverings, casting a soft glow around the room. She found herself lying on the sofa, cocooned in a cozy blanket, with a trio of cheerful teddy bears stationed at her feet.
“Jess?” she called out, propping herself up on her elbows.
“I’m right here,” Jess replied, taking a seat beside her and offering a reassuring pat on the hand.
“Lie back,” Joy insisted, rushing into the room with a sense of urgency. Stone and Jess exchanged knowing glances, their eyes filled with hidden meaning.
Madison caught Stone slipping the envelope back into his pocket, a wise gesture at the moment.
Jess, too, seemed aware of the secret, considering her expression was still ripe with piss and vinegar. And Madison could only guess that they were both keeping it from Joy.
Thank God.The last thing Alex needs is to return to a Spanish Inquisition, courtesy of his mother-in-law.
Following their instructions, Madison reclined back, her gaze scanning the room. “Where did everyone go?”
“Gone,” Jess answered with a cheeky grin. “Between the vibratingFist of Furyand the mother-to-be fainting, they couldn’t leave fast enough. Though Stone here did offer to keep the party going with a dozen male strippers,” Jess kidded with a wink.
Madison looked up, placing both hands on her heart. “Aww, you’d do that for me?”
He nonchalantly shrugged a shoulder and let out a breath. “It was either that or clowns and magicians, and it is never clowns and magicians.”
Joy looked up at him, curiosity piqued. “And what’s wrong with clowns and magicians?”
He deadpanned, as if annoyed to explain. “They’re terrifying.”
