Dylan ignored Brendon. His gaze didn’t leave Megan’s. “I mean it. We can be a phoenix together. It all collapsed around us, and I take part of the blame for that. I know I have to. But please, let’s show the world how strong we are. How unbeatable we are. Let’s climb out of the pit we fell into and rise stronger than ever.” He held the ring closer to Megan. “Marry me. Not tomorrow, not next week, but at some point in our lives. This ring signifies a commitment and a promise, it doesn’t have to be anything more than that, honeypie.”

“I can’t marry you.” Megan was aghast. He really was delusional.

“Not now, we have to rebuild. But in the future we can marry.” He took hold of her left wrist and poised the ring over her finger.

“No.” She snapped her hand free. “No, this is crazy, you’re crazy.” Had she ever really known this man? How could he be so mistaken in her feelings for him that he thought she’d marry him—again? “You have to leave, Dylan. Now.”

“No.”

“Yes.” She folded her arms and gestured towards the door. “Leave this minute or I’m calling the police.”

“On it.” Brendon held up his iPhone. “What was the number again…? Oh yes, nine, nine, nine.”

Dylan made a noise not unlike a growl and stood. He slipped the ring back into his pocket. “You’re making a mistake. Both of you.” He swung his glare from Megan to Brendon then back to Megan. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to you. Without me you wouldn’t have been brave enough to set up your business, you wouldn’t be on bloody TV, you wouldn’t be able to afford any of this.” He swung his arm around, indicating her apartment.

“I’ve achieved all of this on my own.” Megan shoved her hands on her hips. “And I’ve still got lots more I want to achieve.” She nodded at the door. “Now go, before the police get here and I’ll tell them it was all a mistake. If you’re still here when they arrive I’ll tell them you tried to force yourself on me, which you did.”

His top lip curled into a snarl then he reached for his vest and balled it into his fist. He turned and loped from the room, head down and shoulders swinging. Within a few seconds, the sound of the front door slamming echoed.

Chapter Sixteen

James

Seven hours earlier