Jonah crossed the gap between them, and seized Dylan’s wrist in a grip that made him cry out. “Argh!”
“You don’t get to speak to her like that. Do you understand?” Jonah demanded.
“Let go, you asshole!” Dylan responded stubbornly, but he was starting to look smaller and weaker next to Jonah.
I wasn’t sure if it was the pent-up rage, but in that moment, Jonah was intimidating like never before.
“Apologize. For. Speaking. To. Her. That. Way,” Jonah bit out, his grip unyielding.
I could see Jonah’s knuckles whiten under the stress of holding Dylan back, just before I stepped up to them.
“Let him go, Jonah,” I said urgently, just as Dylan groaned louder.
“I’m sorry!” Dylan yelped. “Sorry, Lexi.”
After a beat, Jonah released him. Dylan slumped, cradling his injured wrist, grimacing. He looked up at Jonah, the fight still in his eyes, even as his voice shook.
“I’m done with you, Dylan,” I said, my voice trembling. “Get that into your mind.”
“That means no more flowers for her,” Jonah gritted out, grabbing hold of Dylan’s hurt arm and looking him clearly in the eye. “That means no more useless gifts for her. That means you ask her for permission before you show up, and you ask her if you can bring her or Evie anything they need.”
He let go of Dylan with a little shake while Dylan stared at him, dumbfounded.
He turned back to me. “Are you really seeing him?”
I gulped, aware of Jonah’s watchful eyes on me. It wouldn’t be fair to Jonah to insist he was anything else but someone I was in a committed relationship with. But I knew Dylan. If he knew the truth about us, he could ruin our relationship, outing us before we were ready, and ruining Jonah’s chances of getting that CEO position permanently.
“Yes,” I said just as Dylan let out a snarl.
“Were you with him when he fired me over the phone?” he asked. His eyes bored into mine, and I forced myself to ignore the power of his anger as I opened my mouth to speak.
“Yes, she was,” Jonah said before I could speak. “Every moan, every whimper from her lips is because of me. She’s mine, now, Dylan, and you’d better get that through your thick skull.”
Dylan’s jaw went slack, his anger dissolving into confusion. He stared at us like he couldn’t fathom that I could actually be with someone like Jonah.
“I’m dating him, Dylan.” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “Evie adores him as well. And he makes me happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”
A hundred times happier than I ever was with you.
Dylan’s face twisted. “You can’t just?—”
“You have no idea what it takes to be a father, Dylan. Or to be part of a family.” Jonah’s voice dropped, cold and final. “Something you walked away from, and something you’ll never get a chance to have with them again.” He stepped closer. “Nowleave. Lexi already told you this isn’t a good time, and it’s time you gave her words the respect they deserve.”
Dylan’s mouth dropped open while Jonah spoke. Someone was schooling him on how to be a grown-up, and it was an experience he’d never had before.
Jonah took another step forward. Dylan turned and ran.
I slumped against the railing, overwhelmed.
Jonah was beside me in an instant, pulling me into his arms as I sagged against him. I hadn’t even realized how tense I’d been until I felt his solid, steady hold. His hands moved over my back as I let out a shaky breath and leaned in, letting my fear wash over me.
“Are you okay Lexi?” he asked, while I tried to calm my heartbeat down. I took a few deep breaths, feeling utterly thrown for a loop by what had happened.
“Yes,” I answered, but when I finally looked up at Jonah, I saw concern on his face.
“Are you worried about what he’ll do to retaliate if he knows we’re together?”
I nodded. “I don’t want him to make life hard for us.” I hesitated. “Unlike Brian and Stacey, he is petty enough to out us and our relationship before we’re ready.”
