Page 12 of Resisting Temptation

“I’m glad I have the opportunity to be here.” Taking a seat across from her, I lean back and relax in the plush leather office chair located in the central boardroom at the mayor’s office.

This room hasn’t changed a bit in seventeen years. As a kid I sat in this very office looking up at my father like he was some kind of superhero. This place hasless shine now that I know the truth. What must have really been going on in these rooms. It also saddens me to think the last time I saw him was right here in this office. Everything he must have gone through, from being arrested to his court dates, and he faced it all alone. Because my mother and I thought he screwed us over. That’s what the police officers told us. It was all there in black and white for us to see where he had taken the city’s money, taken our money, all in an attempt to pay the Rebel Raiders’ bribes. From everything we could see, they had a firm hold on him, and their protection came at a high cost. This town was basically being led by the biggest biker gang this side of the border. But it was all fabricated. The evidence is clear in the documents he left me. Not that Parker and I have had time to go over it all yet, but from what I can make out, someone was benefiting from the city, and it wasn’t my father.

“Susanne, can you fix Mr. Harrington a coffee?” Margo calls to a young girl on reception, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Black, no sugar,” I offer with a smile as the girl scurries off after giving me the once-over.

Margo’s lips turn up at the sides as she assesses me. She has a pretty smile, polite and guarded but pretty. “This meeting will be a little less formal because we approached you. From your earlier call, I assume you’re considering running?”

“Sure am.” I nod, a calculating gleam in my eye. “I’ve had time to think it over, and swapping the ball for City Hall could be my ticket back to the spotlight. Let’s face it, my adoring fans have missed me.” I chuckle. Beingmayor is a whole new kind of power, and I’m ready to claw my way back to the top by any means necessary.

She steeples her hands in front of her. “Perfect, the spotlight suits you. Let’s begin then. Tell me about your background and experience in leadership roles?”

“With my experience as an NFL player, I have extensive leadership involvement, including four years as captain of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Effective leadership requires qualities such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Having all of those is something I take pride in.”

“As soon as I met you, I knew you would be the ideal candidate. But after our conversation the other day, what made you decide to call me?”

“I thought we would make a good team.” I smile, knowing I’m winning her over easily. This shy little thing won’t know what hit her working with me.

She nods. “I enjoy making men powerful, Noah. And I can tell already you’re just the kind of man for this job. Together, we could change this town for the better. I have a strong vision for this town. Not many people know this about me, but I took on my role as campaign manager because this town holds a special place in my heart, and I could see what was happening to our sweet little town under the reign of some of our past leaders. Not mentioning any names. You would be disgusted if you knew. I have a vision to clean up this town. I’m looking for the right man to help me.”

She might not be the shy little thing I thought. She has a determination about her that I like. “I may not have ever considered this role before we met, but I’ve been consumed by the idea ever since,” I admit, a hint of desperation creeping into my voice. I needthis. “And just between you and me, I need something new to obsess over, to divert attention away from the emptiness. After years of being focused on nothing but winning, there’s a gaping hole left in my life. This may be my chance to fill that void, to wield power once again and reshape my destiny.” It also might be the only way to get the vengeance I need to clear my family name. But that I leave out. The fewer people who know my real reason for running the better.

She smiles, sugary sweet, and I know she’s seeing exactly what I am. I’m going to be the next mayor of Deception Bay. “What is your vision for Deception Bay if elected as mayor?”

“My goal for our city is to create an inclusive and prosperous environment where all residents can thrive. My priority is to support initiatives that boost economic growth, enhance education and job opportunities, improve public safety, and foster community engagement.”

She nods along, taking notes. “What are your top priorities for addressing the needs and challenges facing our community? And how do you plan to engage with residents and stakeholders to develop and implement your vision?”

“I am fully committed to attentively listening to our residents’ concerns and aspirations and taking collective action to tackle them. With a focus on transparency and accountability, my administration will ensure that everyone has a voice in shaping our city’s future.”

“Spoken like a true politician. You were born for this role, Noah. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have found you.”

“Don’t forget my father was in office for most of my childhood. I’ve heard more public addresses than any child should have to suffer through. It was the only way he communicated.”

“That must have been difficult for a boy.” Her businesslike demeanor softens.

“My father was— Until he was disgraced, my father was a great man that this town adored. I know he destroyed his reputation, but before that, he truly was trying to change this town for the best. I guess he let the fame go to his head. He began to think he was untouchable. He learned the hard way that no one is,” I say, not able to help the bitterness that creeps into my voice.

“How will you avoid the same fate?” she asks more seriously. “I’ve heard the rumors. Are they true?”

I knew this would come up. It’s been a year, and the whispers have only just settled down. When you’re as big a name as I was, you can’t just disappear with an injury that didn’t happen on the field. Fans don’t buy it, no matter how good your PR people are. And mine were the best. “Depends on what you heard.”

“How about this instead. I know fame, it can change a person. I don’t buy into it. I like to think myself humble, using my position for the good of others, not myself.”

“Good answer. Guess I better have that one recorded.”

“You’re going to come up against it a lot through this campaign. The resilience you gained from playing NFL will be your foundation; this job can be ruthless, and without strength, it can destroy a person. I’ve seen it before.”

“I’m not scared of this town or what its people can say about me or my father. I’m sure I have already heard worse.”

A smile appears on her face. “Smart. And you’re going to need to be. You’re running against Beckett Prescott. His family owns a forty-nine percent share of the media in the Savanah area, and we both know what that means.” The way she says his name with so much disgust, I feel it right through to my core.

I gape back at her, feeling like I’ve just taken a blindside hit. It’s as if she’s intercepted my thoughts, leaving me scrambling for a game plan. The Prescotts fucking hate me after what happened, and I already know they will play dirty, it’s all they know. Running a hand over my stubble, I consider how badly I want this. If there could be another way to clear my father’s name. If I wanted to, I could quietly leave right now and only my closest friends would know I’d even considered it. But I want this, redemption for the tarnished legacy of my family name. And for my hasty exit from my football career. “I won’t let Beckett Prescott take that from me. His family has enough control of this town. The way they use their media avenues to manipulate makes me sick.”

“I know it’s not ideal. But this is why I chose you. If anyone has a chance at beating that conceited asshole, it’s you. Excuse my French.” The tremble of Margo’s voice is subtle, but it’s there, and I wonder what Beckett did to her. “People love you. They respect you and what you did for your team, you have their affections already. We just need to show them what you could do for this town, and you have already won. Beckett will lose this for himself. Personally, I have no idea whythey chose him out of anyone in the Prescott family to run.”

“Let’s kick his ass,” I say with a smirk, a flicker of defiance igniting in my eyes. It’s about time someone took that family down a notch. After what they did to the Alexanders last year, they deserve to lose spectacularly.

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