Jeremy’s sudden seriousness had Madeline feeling a little nervous.

“What’s wrong, Jeremy?”

“Ryan must’ve told you about me joining the IBCI, right, Linnie?” he asked.

Madeline nodded, her eyes swirling in heartache for him. “He told me how you went undercover to put Lana behind bars.”

“Then did he tell you what my conditions for working with the IBCI were?” Jeremy’s gentle gaze fell on Madeline’s small face.

That was something Madeline did not know.

She replied frankly, “He didn’t tell me.”

“Of course not.” A smudge of self-deprecating scoff appeared on Jeremy’s chiseled features.

“Jeremy?”

“I had just found out the situation I was in when they first found me. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to protect you or take care of you again, so I demanded that the IBCI provide full protection over you and the kids. Especially considering how Lana Johnson has no baselines.

“That was my condition for joining the IBCI.”

Madeline’s eyes immediately reddened as she heard him explain.