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Damian shook his head, concern etched on his face. “If it’s about the money—”
“It’s not,” Alex interrupted, his tone firm. “It’s... Maximillion. He’s returning sooner than we thought.”
A bold-face lie. Madison just spoke with Maximillion. He wouldn’t be back for at least eight weeks. Maybe ten.
Alex extended a hand. Reluctantly, Damian shook it. As soon as Damian walked off, Madison sidled up to her husband and greeted him with a kiss. Followed by a slightly raised brow. “What’s really going on?”
“I’m reducing the staff. Only those I implicitly trust,” Alex explained, rubbing the back of his neck. “Which means we’re down a bodyguard and a housekeeper.” He paused, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. “Think we can manage?”
She smiled back. The growing staff always made her feel awkward in her own home, though she’d never admit it. “Most definitely.” Something in his expression changed—a subtle shift that she couldn’t quite pinpoint. “What?”
“Madison,” he began slowly, taking in a breath, then releasing it. “You mean everything to me. Our family means everything to me. But…”
“But?” She could see the raw vulnerability in his eyes, the struggle as he searched for just the right words. And the slight tremble in his hands meant whatever this was, it was significant. Deeply and truly important.
“Madison, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“There’s something I need to tell you, too.”
“You go,” he offered.
“No, you,” she insisted.
He flashed a grin. “Ladies first.”
“Alex!”
With the gleam in Alex’s eyes fading to an unsettled flicker, Madison took charge, ready to speak. At the exact same time he was.
Their words overlapped. HisI think I have a sonmerging with herI think you have a son.
Taking a small step back, she asked, “How long have you known?”
“I...I didn’t know. Until today,” Alex continued, his voice laced with pain. “But I saw, Madison. I saw AJ.”
“His name is AJ.” A sentimental smile formed on her lips.
“And Paco’s been keeping him—”
She cut in. “Paco knows?”
“And Jordan and Cole, but that’s not important…”
The hell it’s not. In order of importance: wife,thenPaco, then everyone else.Stewing, she let him continue.
“Paco’s been keeping him. Apparently, he wanted to wait,” Alex said, frustrated.
Madison furrowed her brow. “Wait for what?”
Alex gestured wildly in exasperation. “For the clouds to open up and God Almighty to announce, ‘Alex Drake, this is your son,’” he replied in a booming voice. He took a deep breath to collect himself. “I think he just wanted to be sure.”
Puzzled, Madison reached out, gently stroking his jaw. “So he’s not sure?” she asked softly.
Alex frowned. “No, he’s not. But I am. I saw him, and I’m sure. He’s mine, Madison. He has to be.”
Speaking of which…
Alex did a double take. “How do you know I have a son?”
