Page 77 of Resisting Temptation

I look between them, my breathing ragged.

“Step down tonight.” Beckett grins, realizing he has me, I have no other choice.

I run a hand through my hair, understanding what I have to do. “You’re blackmailing me as well, typical Prescott behavior. Can’t win this election on your own merit.”

Beckett shakes his head. “No. I’m just catching you up to speed,” the cocky bastard says, knowing he holds all the power here. “You were a worthy opponent, and I’m sure you would have done your father proud, but it’s time to walk away before someone gets hurt. And neither of us could live with that on their conscience, now could we. I know Margo, and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants, it’s why she’s marrying our father. Help me bring her down.”

I scrutinize Beckett, wondering what his angle is. He’s going out of his way to make sure Paisley is safe.They could have run this story, and he would have got the position because I would have gone to jail. But he’s negotiating with me, and I know it’s got nothing to do with me. “You actually care about her, don’t you?”

He shrugs off my comment, trying to play it cool, but I can tell there is more going on here. “She’s a cool chick, even if she has shitty taste in men. I didn’t want her to get caught up in our family war any more than I wanted you to. But you went and let Margo sweet talk you, paint you a dream that was too good to walk away from, and now we’re all in this fucked-up Prescott mess together.”

A message comes through from Parker. “Margo and Prescott are on the move. I’m following them along the tourist road back into town.” I read it out loud, knowing the only way to fight this now is together.

Beckett nods not at all surprised. “You’re running out of time, Noah. He’s not a kind man, my father, and when he doesn’t get what he wants, he’s likely to have a temper tantrum, and now that he and Margo have teamed up, who knows what they will do. You don’t want Paisley on the other end of that. I’m not saying this shit as your opponent anymore. I’m saying it as Paisley’s friend. He will kill her to control you, we have seen him do it before. What’s more important to you, the girl or the fame?”

“Paisley,” I say without question, a sense of urgency filling me. I need to get to her flower shop.

“Call a press conference and let me take care of the rest.” Beckett tells his brother.

“What happens when you take over? You rule under your father, still answering to his threats and manipulation? Aren’t you sick of this, these people,controlling your life? If you do as they say, you’re just as bad as them and nothing will change,” I spit in frustration.

Beckett chuckles loudly. “Why do you think I want to be mayor so much? This new role will give me the control I need to finally show my father he’s not in charge of me anymore. I’m this fucking close, Noah. They wanted you to be their puppet because he knows he can’t control me like he does everyone else in this town. I’m the one man who will stick up to him. I have nothing to lose. It’s why you have to save her. She’s in this mess because of me, Noah. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to her because of me. But the minute you drop out of the race and I’m announced as this town’s new mayor, the power of the Prescott estate shifts to me and Hamilton. He signed the contract thinking I didn’t have a chance, but I will show him it’s him who has lost his touch by letting Margo manipulate him. Our dear daddy will be ousted, and he and Margo will lose all power. They will finally answer to us.”

I look between the brothers. “How do I know that’s a better option?”

“It’s the gamble you have to take. But at least this way, you know your girl is safe. Nothing will ever happen to her, I can promise you that.”

I nod. He’s right, this is the only way. “Okay, but I want you to do something for me. I want my father’s story run. I need the people of Deception Bay to know the truth about what happened to him, and I want anyone who was involved in framing him taken down in the process. Starting with your father and Margo.”

Beckett chuckles again, enjoying this all way too much. “Now you’re talking.”

“We can give her a taste of her own medicine.” Hamilton smirks, and I know he’s getting a kick out of this. “I know you have all the dirt your father was squirreling away. I’ve seen some of it.”

I raise a brow, wondering how.

“A friend in the cops,” Beckett says, letting me in on the secret.

“Let me release an article that will destroy them both,” Hamilton says. “You get the revenge you wanted for your father and your girl back. Beckett gets the role he was born to play, and I get full control of Prescott Media. We all win.”

I scrutinize Hamilton. Once upon a time we were friends. I would have done anything for the man and him me. The years have changed us, molded us into the people we are now. What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and change that night. How different both our lives would have been. But I can’t take back past mistakes, only do what’s right now. I can walk away from mayor if I know it’s for the greater good, and while I don’t fully trust the Prescott boys, I do agree with what they are fighting for. I also know that for me, there is nothing more important than my girl. I don’t want her or our future children trapped in this political mess. I want us to be able to live our lives free of worry.

“Call the press conference. I will have Parker send you what we have on your father.” My attention comes to Beckett. “But right now, we need to make sure Paisley safe.” I stand in a rush, and Beckett follows me.

Chapter 42

Paisley

My head pops up when a loud clang sounds from the parking lot behind my shop. Something thunderous like the bang of metal on pavement, maybe the garbage cans going over. Is Beckett finally back? It feels like it’s been hours since he left me here. I’m going to actually kill him for locking me up in this damn bathroom without my phone.

“Don’t come any closer or I will have to shoot you, sir,” comes the voice of the burly man who’s holding me hostage. A shiver runs down my spine at the realization it’s not Beckett back to let me out.

“You’re going to want to drop that gun. I don’t know what lies Beckett has filled your head with, but I’m still in charge, and you answer to me. Not him,” comes a deep threatening voice.

Oh, fuck, I know that voice. That’s Mr. Prescott. Is that who Beckett was trying to hide me from? He said it was family stuff, that he’s still answering to his father. Is this what he meant?He’s after me? I stand in a rush, ready to fight. I take hold of the closest thing to me, a broom.

“Where’s the girl?” comes another familiar voice, this time it’s a female, Margo. Irritation crawls down my spine. What the fuck are they doing together?

“No idea what you’re talking about, miss. I was sent to guard the flower shop tonight. I know nothing about a girl,” replies the burly man. His voice holds a deathly edge that tells them to back the fuck off.

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