Page 75 of Resisting Temptation

I nod, a fresh wave of sadness coming over me. “He called with Margo on speakerphone this afternoon. Apparently they’re together or some shit, and he broke up with me just like that.”

Beckett looks over me, his face softening. “Margo’s been a busy girl today. She’s also got my father to agree to marry her.”

“Are you kidding me?”

He shakes his head, disgusted. “I can’t explain, but you have to know, whatever Noah is doing right now it’s for you. Not to hurt you, okay. I’m going to fix this, but you need to stay here, where you will be safe.”

“I want to come with you,” I say, starting to panic. I don’t like being kept in the dark, and right now, it feels like they all know something I don’t.

“There is some dangerous shit going down tonight. You’re safer here.” He holds out his hand. “Phone,” he asks impatiently. By his expression, I know he’s not messing around. He’s deadly serious, and I’m all alone here.

“Not till you tell me what’s going on,” I demand, stomping my foot. “Please, Beckett.”

His eyes narrow in on me. “Don’t be difficult, Paisley.” The dark edge of his voice slices through me.

Nervously I hand it over. “I trusted you,” I whisper, so close to tears. All my friends said I shouldn’t, my brother, Noah, they all tried to warn me, but I thought I knew better. I saw him for whohe was showing me he was. I wanted to think he was different because he’s been so good to me.

His eyes meet mine, and for a second, I see the Beckett I’ve gotten to know, the surprisingly sweet and caring guy who I thought was my friend, but then just as quickly he’s gone and replaced by another version of him. One I don’t like at all. “You got away from your father, I’m still answering to mine.” There is a sadness to his words that haunts me. After what he told me his father was doing to him and Hamilton, I’m sickened to think what’s really going on here. Is his father behind this? Is that why he’s locking me up?

“Please, Beckett, don’t leave me in here,” I try pleading with his sense of decency, if he even has any left. How could I have been so wrong about him?

But he closes the door and locks it. There is no way out. It’s a small space with no window. Immediately I start banging on the door, panic flooding through me. “Let me out,” I cry, tears streaming down my face, and I can’t stop them. Things have gone from bad to worse today, and I’m confused as hell and trapped.

“Don’t let her out, no matter what she tells you. And if anyone comes for her, kill them,” he tells someone.

My arms tingle with goosebumps as a shiver runs through me.Kill them?What’s he going on about. Kill who? Who is after me? I keep banging on the door until my fist is too sore. My body crumples to the cold tile floor, and I bring my knees up to my chest, hugging them tightly. The look in Beckett’s eyes told me he was doing this to protect me, but it doesn’t make any sense. Locking me up here can’t protect me.

Chapter 41

Noah

Iwait for Beckett, knowing he’s on his way back to work. Paisley is safe at her shop working late, and Parker has trailed Margo out of town to the inn, so I know she’s occupied with the old man Prescott for now. He assures me he will stay with them until I sort this mess out. Sickness fills me at the thought of my phone call with Paisley this afternoon, but I couldn’t see another way out, not when Margo has quite literally flicked her crazy switch and has Paisley in her sights. The only thing giving me some hope is knowing I will fix this shitshow quickly, then Paisley will know the truth.

When I spot Beckett approaching, from the underground parking, I step out of the shadows. “Can I have a minute of your time?” I ask, knowing this is the only way of saving us both now, as much as I don’t want to ask for anything from this man.

He looks me over, not surprised to see me, and I wonder why. “What did you do, Noah? I’ve just come from the florist and Paisley is beside herself.”

I close my eyes, trying not to focus on her pain. She would have been hurt a fuck load more if that article ran in the morning, splashing her biggest secret all over town. “Paisley tells me she can trust you. Right now, I don’t have any other option, so I hope to God it’s true.”

Beckett’s lips twitch into a grin like all his Christmases have come at once. He would be loving this, me having to come to him for help. “Come up to my office, we have a lot to discuss.”

“I would prefer not to. Can’t trust anyone right now. You know how it is.”

He looks up the street. “Is Margo watching you?”

“Not right now, but she would have friends up there helping her.” I motion to his office, knowing it’s way too dangerous to be seen with him in a public place even at this time of night. Especially now that she’s marrying into the family.

He gives a subtle nod, agreeing with me. “Understood.” He motions for me to follow him up the road. We stop when we get to a small bar, and he shoves open the door. The place is deserted, and he shows me to a table in the back, showered in shadows. I take a seat. When I look up, Hamilton is joining us.

He glares at me, his hatred for me palpable, and I wonder if Paisley was wrong. Everything Parker and I have read has the Prescott name involved, but it all points to their father, and after what Margo just admitted to me, I can only assume he’s the one causing problems. But it doesn’t mean these two don’t playtheir part. They’re also the only ones that can help me now. I have to take a chance for Paisley. “What the fuck are you doing here?” I demand, looking to Beckett for answers.

Hamilton smirks slyly. “Is that anyway to talk to the man who’s just stopped everything to get you out of your little situation?”

I glare at him. “What do you know about it?”

He takes a seat across from me, scrutinizing me with his cold distant stare. We might have been friends a very long time ago, but there is no love here now. “I know you need to show me some respect. You stole my life, Noah. If you were in the front seat of Alexander’s car that night instead of me, I would have escaped this town and been the big football star. Not you. How does it feel to know your fate now rests in my hands?”

I match his intensity; he’s blamed me for long enough. “I didn’t cause that accident,” I snip back at him.

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