Page 74 of Resisting Temptation

I step out of her grip, realization hitting me in the gut like a sucker punch. “You’re the one who had me shot?”All this time I believed it was Paisley’s father, but it was Margo. Some girl I didn’t even know existed.

She grins then shakes her head. “Just made sure you would come home. I’m just a silly girl, remember, I couldn’t have orchestrated something that complicated.”

Everything becomes very clear. This is what they did to my father, he was backed into a corner by these awful people. I can’t walk away from Paisley, but I won’t let her get hurt by all of this either. I need time to think, to talk to Parker and work out a plan, but I know Margo’s not going to let that happen.

“What’s it going to be, Noah? You with me, or do I send the story?”

Anger radiates off every part of my body because I know what I have to do to save Paisley and myself. “You win, Margo. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t allow that article to print.”

Her lips turn up at the sides into a full grin, making her look every bit the crazy person she is. “Smart man. See, what did I tell you when we first met? We make an excellent team. I’m about to make you a very powerful man, Noah. How about you call her now. Rip off the band-aid.” She slips her hand into my pocket and retrieves my phone, handing it to me, the smuggest look of satisfaction on her face. Margo might think she’s won, but she’s just unleashed a side of me that will make her regret the day we ever met. Because I will stop at nothing to make sure she is the one who ends up with nothing at the end of all this.

Chapter 40

Paisley

After packing up the front of the shop, I check over the back porch, locking up the storage room, before bringing in some drying flowers. Despite the rocky start to my first day as a shop owner, the rest of the day has run smoothly, making me feel quite empowered. My new staff are helpful and seem on board with the ideas I have to change things up a little.

I feel the vibration of my phone ringing in my pocket, and I pull it out to answer, seeing it’s Noah. “Go home, Gemma. I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell one of my new girls. She waves me off as I answer the call and lock the front door after her.

“Noah, is everything okay?” I ask, wondering where he is. He said he would be ten minutes max. And I wouldn’t like to admit it, but after last night, I don’t really want to leave this place alone tonight. Even though both he and Beckett are sure Margo was the one who ran me off the road, none of us know what she’s capable of, and I would prefer not to find out.

“Pais. We need to talk.” His voice is shaky, and worry floods me instantly.

“T… talk,” I stutter out, wondering what the hell is going on, but by the sinking feeling in my stomach, I already know it’s not going to be good.

There is a long pause, and I wait for him to answer. “Us getting back together was a mistake,” he snips, his voice distant, almost uncaring or uninterested.

I wonder if I heard him properly, because what I think he just said was us getting back together was a mistake, but that can’t be right. “What are you saying?”

“This thing between us is over. For good this time,” he says more clearly this time.

I take hold of the workbench in front of me, casting a quick glance at my phone, wondering if I misread the person calling and this is all some big joke. But it’s Noah’s number. What the hell has changed since he walked out of here ready to confront Margo about her running me off the road last night? “Is Margo there?” I ask, more frantic. Is she putting him up to this? It’s the only explanation that makes sense.

“Yes. You’re on speaker. She wanted to be here when I called you.” He pauses. “We’re together. Have been since she started as my campaign manager.”

A flash of sickness washes over me, my hands going all clammy. My heart hammers in my chest, and I’m not sure if I’m going to puke or pass out. I hear the words he’s saying, but I don’t believe him. He wouldn’t do this to me. To us. This couldn’t be happening. I hang up the call and throw my phone down on my desk, my hands trembling uncontrollably. For the longest time, I pace back and forth the length of the shop, trying to process what he just said. Trying to find the sense in his hurtful words. He and Margo have been together all this time? Hot tears prickle in my eyes before rolling down my cheeks. Hepromised me he wouldn’t hurt me. Swore to me black and blue this was real. My chest feels like it’s going to cave in from the pain lodged in it. This can’t be happening. I collapse on the floor and let myself fall apart.

For what feels like hours I sit on the floor of my shop, too emotionally drained to move. When my bladder continues to protest, I make my way to standing on shaky legs up, dragging my body to the bathroom.

When I walk back out, I jump in shock when I see a dark figure standing in the back alley of the shop. “Beckett, you gave me a fright,” I say covering my chest when I realize it’s him approaching me. “Why are you around the back?” I ask, confused to see him here at this time of night. I should be long gone by now, but maybe he was looking for me.

“Sorry, kitten, I didn’t mean to give you a fright,” he says, but his expression is grim, and I start to worry instantly. Another guy joins him; he’s huge and burly and covered in tattoos, the kind that run up his neck. I don’t like the look of him at all. In fact, I think I’ve seen him before somewhere.

“What’s going on?” I stutter out, on edge as I look between the two of them.

“This isn’t how I wanted things to go down, but I have no choice.” He backs me up until I hit the bathroom door with a thud.

“What are you talking about, Beckett?”

He unlocks the door with a key off his own set, and fear shoots up my spine. I never gave him a key to this place. He motions for me to enter the small space. “This is for your own good, kitten. I don’t want to risk anything to happen to you while I’m fixing a little family problem, okay?”

“Fixing what, Beckett?” I murmur nervously. I’m not doing what he says without a damn good explanation.

He throws a set of keys at the second guy. “Lock up,” he tells him, and the guy responds with a tip of his jaw. As he walks away, I notice the symbol on the back of his jacket. He’s a Rebel Raider.

My eyes widen in fear as they meet with Beckett’s. What the hell? “Beckett, answer me, please, what’s going on? First Noah calls to break up with me, and now you’re acting all strange. You’re freaking me out.”

“Noah broke up with you?” he asks as if it’s news to him.

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