“My pleasure.” He shifted his steely gaze to Madison. “Who is this?”
Approval laced his tone.
“Madison Evans.” Alex snaked an arm around her waist in an unnecessarily proprietary gesture she actually liked. “Madison, this is my cousin Gabe.”
She smiled at the man. “Nice to meet you, Gabe. Actually, I see a little family resemblance.” She extended her hand, and Alex eased it down before tucking her even closer to his side.
Gabe chuckled. “So that’s how it is.”
“How what is?” Madison asked.
“I’ve seen you with women. This one’s off-limits.”
Before he could reply, Olivia walked over and threw her arms around him. “Hi there, cousin.”
Madison realized that since Olivia and Alex shared a father, Gabe was the cousin of both of them.
“Hi, beautiful.” Gabe hugged her tightly, light in his eyes as he looked her over. “Long time no see.”
“Too long. It’s a good thing
business brought us to New York. Nice place you’ve got here.” She gestured her hand wide, taking in the expanse of the club.
Pride glinted in his eyes. “I like it. You’re all comped for the night, so enjoy. I’ll come over to check on you later.” With a nod of his head, he turned and walked away.
Madison blinked. “He’s … interesting. Very Ian-like.”
Olivia, Ian’s sibling, burst out laughing. “Well said! I knew I liked you.” She hooked her arm into Madison’s free one and pulled her away from Alex.
“Where are you taking her?” he asked, a scowl on his handsome face.
“For drinks and girl time. We’ll see you gentlemen in a little while.”
EIGHT
Madison found herself sitting at a small private table with Olivia, shots of tequila in front of her. Olivia worked as assistant travel secretary to the team. She also sat in on high-level meetings with Ian because he valued her advice and was training her in all aspects of team business. Madison didn’t know her well, but Riley spoke highly of her, which vetted her enough for Madison. If she was going to drink with her and ultimately let down her guard, she needed that kind of assurance.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Madison asked, gesturing between them.
“I wanted to get to know you better,” Olivia said.
“And take a breather from Dylan?”
Olivia laughed. “And now I know why Riley likes you.” She raised her tequila glass. “Lick, salt, drink, and bite. Ready?”
“Oh good Lord, you’re really going for this.” Madison shrugged. One or two wouldn’t kill her.
Madison licked her hand, salted, drank the burning liquid, and immediately bit into the lime wedge to kill the taste.
“Men are such a pain in the ass,” Olivia said after pulling the lime from between her lips.
Madison’s eyes watered, and she drew a deep breath. “They can be, yes. They can also be…” She turned her head and found Alex, leaning against a gleaming silver railing, his gaze never leaving her. “Hot.” She turned back.
Olivia wrinkled her nose. “Exasperating. That’s the word you were supposed to use. But it looks like my half brother got under your skin.”
“The way Dylan’s gotten under yours?” Madison asked.
Olivia gestured to another shot, and Madison drank along with her. “Damn men who want too much.”