Dare to Desire (Dare to Love 2)

“What’s wrong?”

“She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.” Madison let go of the fork, leaving it to clatter against the plate. “She’s going to need to go into a nursing home soon, and in case she isn’t capable of making that decision when the time comes, she made me her health care proxy and gave me her power of attorney. Not Eric.”

Suddenly the papers on the table became clear. “Your foster brother is taking you to court over her decision.”

Eyes glassy, Madison nodded. “He threatened to claim I exerted undue influence over her to gain her trust, which is ridiculous. It’s just that his own mother doesn’t trust his motives or what he’d do with the house if left to his care. That’s her sole reason for choosing me. I know what she wants, and I’ll respect her wishes.”

Though Alex sensed there was more to the story, he had enough information for now to know what needed to happen next. “We’ll fight him,” he said.

“We?” she asked, stiffening.

“We.” He wasn’t going to argue with her about it either. “Do you have a lawyer?”

She visibly swallowed hard. “No. But I can make some calls.”

“Or you can let me make one for you. I’ve got one on retainer.”

“Of course you do,” she muttered.

He ignored the dig. His wealth had never appealed to her, which, he admitted, had always been part of her allure. Someone who liked him for himself. At least the part of him he’d allowed her to see. He’d kept most of the real Alex shut off, as he always had when it came to most people. Except for the few times he’d dropped his guard.

He folded his arms on the table and leaned forward. “You can Google a lawyer or you can let me call the best. Your choice.”

She glanced down. “I can’t afford the best.”

“I can.”

She looked up, gaze narrowed. “Why are you offering?”

“Because I can afford to pay and you can’t. And because…” He paused. And forced out the words. “Because, despite what you believe, I care.” And he did. He cared about her and always had, which was part of what had sent him running in the first place.

“You have a funny way of showing it.” She slammed her hands on the table, shoved her chair back, and rose from her seat.

And here they were. He’d known they’d reach this point eventually, he just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. “Sit down,” he said, not looking around to see if they were causing a scene.

“What’s the catch?” she asked.

“Why are you so suspicious?”

Her eyes, which had been glittering in defiance, dimmed. “Because in my experience, nobody gives something for nothing in return.”

And that, he thought, was sad. She might be referring to the people in her childhood, but he’d been the latest to disappoint her. That truth made him want to help her even more. “No catch, Madison. I want to help you.”

She lowered herself into her seat, slowly and obviously reluctantly. But he had her in front of him again. He reached out and grabbed her hand, her warmth seeping into his skin. A shudder rippled through her, telling him she wasn’t immune despite the walls she’d erected to keep him out. And she didn’t pull away. He allowed those small indicators to give him hope.

She let out a sigh. “Why are you suddenly back in my life, pushing for dinners, wanting to help me, claiming you care?”

Her eyes filled, and his gut clenched at the sight, reminding him of her pain-filled expression when he’d callously broken up with her months ago.

“Because I do.”

“People who care don’t treat each other the way you treated me.”

His hands curled into tight fists in his lap, beneath the table where she couldn’t see. “I know and I’m sorry.” The word came out easier than he’d thought it would.

“You’re what?” she asked, obviously stunned.

He didn’t blame her for being surprised. “I’m sorry.”