Page 79 of Resisting Temptation

Beckett comes toward us quickly, searching my face to make sure I’m not hurt.

As Noah tugs me into his warm embrace, cradling me, he tries to shield me from the bloodshed surrounding us. Tears blur my eyes, and I let him hold me as my body trembles all over.

“Take her through the shop. I’ll deal with this mess with the cops,” Beckett yells over his shoulder. I glance toward him just in time to see him tucking his gun into the back of his suit pants like it’s always been there. He runs toward Margo. She’s hurt but still alive, groaning in pain as she rolls round on the ground.

“You’re going to pay for this Noah, every last fucker in this town will know the truth about what you did,” Margo cries.

My skin goes all prickly, but Noah doesn’t give her the time of day. His attention is fully focused on me, his eyes searching mine for forgiveness.

“Margo,” Beckett spits, standing over her. “You're in no position to make threats. It's a damn shame – your computer, along with all that delicious evidence on Noah, is toast. While you were busy tonight, I made sure of it.”

She screeches at him as Noah scoops me up, holding me in his arms. As we take the steps back up to the shop, the police cars pull into the parking lot, gravel flying up in all directions.

When we arrive inside the shop, Parker is assisting the guard who was shot, and Noah lets me down to the ground to help him. The man is pale and moaning in pain. They help him up to standing and almost carry him out the front of the shop to the van Beckett rented for me today. I flick the fob to open it, and they get him through to the back, laying him down. He’s still alive, but it’s obvious he’s not in a good way.

“He needs medical attention,” I gasp. His chest has been wrapped in some sort of fabric as a compression bandage, and I realize why it took Beckett so long to make an appearance. While his father and Margo were distracted with us, he must have been helping his guard to safety.

The man scowls at me over his shoulder. “No, take me back to the club, they’ll sort me out,” he growls in a voice that I wouldn’t mess with.

“That’s what Beckett said as well. They have someone who can take care of him,” Parker tells me.

Hamilton appears from nowhere. “I’ll drive him,” he says, swiping the key from me.

Noah pulls me into his car with him, and Parker tails along behind us. I glance back at the front of my shop. Nothing could have prepared me for this kind of first day. I have no words for what I witnessed tonight. None. All I know is I’m alive and so are all the people I care about.

I glance at Noah driving back up Main Street toward our houses like a madman. My heart is still racing out of control in my chest.

“It’s okay, baby, you’re okay,” he tells me.

But all I can do is stare back at him blankly.

He tears into his driveway, and Parker pulls in behind us. “Paisley.” He takes my hand, drawing me out of my trance. “You’re alright, okay?” His warm eyes meet with mine. “You’re safe.”

I blink back at him. “What the hell was that?” I whisper.

Pain etches his face. “Everything I did today, I did it for you. I didn’t want that story to get out.”

“Y… you gave up your chance of being mayor to Beckett?” I mutter, finding it hard to form a proper sentence.

His hand trails up my arm, then strokes along the side of my face. “You were right about Beckett. When Margo turned on me and started throwing threats around, it was him and his brother who helped us. I don’t know what kind of a mayor he will be, but it was a chance I had to take so I can keep you safe and you can have the life you deserve.”

Pain radiates through my chest. I know how important that role was to him. “You gave up your dream for me?” Tears escape down my cheeks, and he wipes them away.

“No, I gave it up for us. I was fighting to avenge my father. To save this town from the evil lurking around every corner. But what is revenge if I have nothing at the end to live for? You’re the only thing I care about, Paisley. I just want to make you happy and give you everything you deserve. Beckett and Hamilton assure me this town will be in good hands, and maybe you were right about them after all.”

“Does that mean I’m going to be your next project?” I smile through my tears, trying to laugh.

He takes my face in his hands, looking right into my eyes, into my soul. I have always felt this crazy connection with him, but after tonight, there is no doubt in my mind what this is between us. “For life. I love you, Paisley.”

“I love you too.” He pulls me toward him, our lips meeting in a passionate kiss. He sacrificed his dreams for me. “I would happily be your project for life,” I whisper into his lips.

Emerson and Mae come running toward Noah’s car. Mae sprints toward Parker, and Emerson pulls open my car door in a rush. “What happened to you three? Hamilton said there was a shootout behind your flower shop.” She pulls me out of the car, searching for signs of damage before pulling me into an embrace. “Whose blood is all over you?”

I glance down at my clothes, seeing the splattering of blood on my shirt. It turns my stomach. “The Prescott boys’ dad’s. I’m pretty sure he’s dead.”

Her face pales. “Does Hamilton know?”

“I’m not sure, Em, why are you so worried about Hamilton?”

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