Chapter 38
Paisley
I hold my mug of coffee, staring out at the front porch of my house. Normally I would go sit out there, but today fear stops me. Who ran me off the road and why? After talking to the police last night, Noah brought me home and stayed with me. He refused to leave me alone, and after what happened, I wasn’t going to fight it because of the campaign. I needed him. In the light of day, I know this is going to go down like a lead balloon when I tell Beckett. And even more concerning, when I was in the bath last night, I overheard Noah talking to my brother about Beckett. I couldn’t make out a lot of the conversation, but it was something about an investigation.
“I thought the worst when I saw your van totaled,” Noah admits, a heaviness to his voice. I move to face him. “I don’t want to fight with you anymore, okay? We both want the same thing and that’s to be together. Even if we have to keep it secret until after the election so you can finish what you started.”
I move around in his arms to get a better view of the gorgeous man I can’t live without. “I love you, Noah.” I brush his hair off his forehead.
He stares back at me with so much adoration I feel it right through to my soul. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, baby, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree with him, but even I know he can’t be with me all the time to protect me. “What were you and Parker talking about last night after you brought me home?”
“Pais, there is some shifty stuff happening in this town. Stuff my father and yours were both involved in. People don’t like us associating with each other because it messes with some old-school alliances. Parker’s doing a little investigating to get to the bottom of what’s really been going on here. I thought it could help me protect you, but I was wrong. It’s too late for all of that. Me being mayor will be a big problem for a lot of people, and I’m going to make enemies. My father wasn’t strong enough to stick up to them, but I am.”
“And you should. What your father got involved in sent him to prison. I don’t want that to happen to you.”
“It won’t, but change isn’t going to be easy, and I don’t want you to get caught up in the crossfire. I wanted you to walk away from Beckett’s campaign because I was scared of what will happen to you. These people don’t mess around, and we have no idea how dangerous he is, Paisley. His father is a very powerful man. He holds the respect of this town, and I have to wonder how he got it. Through fear and manipulation?”
My eyes go wide, understanding exactly what he’s saying. “You think Beckett’s father is one of them?”
“I have no proof, but yeah. I understand you needing to see this through, but I can’t let you get hurt in the process.”
“What are you suggesting?” I ask, brow raised.
“We have to take some precautions to keep you safe. I’ll take you to work and back, and we can lie low till Parker and I work out what to do next.”
Worry courses through me. I’m still so shaken up after that car ran me off the road. “We’re not supposed to be seen together, remember? Isn’t this going to make it worse?”
He takes my hands in his. “We can’t give in to their demands. It makes them stronger.”
I nod, agreeing with him. He shouldn’t, but I’m not sure where that leaves me. I feel like a sitting duck just waiting to be targeted again.
After a quick breakfast, Noah dropped me off behind the shop, the smell of freshly baked bread already filling the air from Pecan Pie Bakery as I got out of the car to open up for the day. I don’t have one of my staff coming in until later, so it’s just me to get the morning orders sorted, and I’m grateful for the quiet and normality. I know Noah’s not too far away. He was uncomfortable leaving me at all, but I told him I was fine while I was at the shop. And this is my first official day as a shop owner, I want some time alone to enjoy it. So, he took his laptop across the road to Bay Roaster’s to get some work done.
As the bell above the door rings, I shift my attention upward to find Beckett’s face. He has a coffee in one hand and today’s newspaper in the other. “You made the front page,” he says, handing me a steaming jumbo cappuccino, its rich aroma filling the air.
I roll my eyes, not really wanting to see what Miss fucking Turner has to say about the asshole who ran me off the road last night. Instead, I sip my coffee, willing the dull throb in my skull to politely fuck off.
“Are you alright?” He looks at me with so much concern, you would think he actually cares.
“Did you grow a heart overnight? Since when do you care about anyone else,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood. Everyone else is already walking round on eggshells this morning. I don’t want Beckett to treat me differently as well.
“We haven’t won yet. I still need you around,” he teases playfully, knocking my arm with his fist. “It’s the campaign I’m worried about.”
“Sounds more likely.” I smirk, enjoying our banter. It feels normal, and that’s what I need right now. When everything else feels so strange. This is not the first time in my life I’ve seen this town differently, but it’s scaring me now more than ever before.
“Seriously, though, Paisley. You need to read this.” He taps the paper on my shop counter.
“I don’t have time this morning, Beckett. I have ten orders to put together before my delivery girl gets in.” I groan. “Oh, and of course, what the hell is she going to drive when my van is wrapped around a tree. I haven’t even worked that shit out yet.”
He produces a set of keys from his pocket and dangles them in front of my face. “No need to worry about your van. I’ve arranged a rental for you until it’s repaired. It’s out the front now.”
I smile at him. “Are you serious?” I glance out front and see he’s not bullshitting me. “Thank you,” I say, so grateful for his help. It’s like he’s one step ahead of me every time I have a problem.
“Least I could do. This could all be because you decided to help me.” He motions to the paper.
Pulling flowers from the wall in front of me, I arrange them in my hands. “You read it to me while I get these made up,” I tell him, wanting to know what this dang story is about now. Why would he think it’s because of him?
He takes a seat on one of the stools at my workbench giving me an unimpressed look before unfolding the paper.
“In a startling twist that has sent ripples of concern through the heart of Deception Bay’s political scene, it has been revealed that Paisley Whittaker, the esteemed campaign manager for mayoral candidate Beckett Prescott, was the focal point of a recent attempt to disrupt their bid for office. The revelation serves as a chilling reminder of the extreme measures individuals may take to influence a critical election, casting doubt on the electoral system’s integrity.
According to reports, Paisley experienced a targeted act of interference intended to disrupt their campaign. Although the attack’s exact details are uncertain, preliminary investigations suggest a carefully planned plot to create doubt and conflict within the campaign team.
This revelation becomes more concerning when we consider that it may not be an isolated incident, but part of a larger pattern of political manipulation. Whispers of behind-the-scenes conspiracy and underhanded tactics have long plagued the city’s political landscape, with allegations of underground agendas and power plays lurking just beneath the surface.
As the aftermath of this startling revelation unfolds, all eyes are now on Beckett’s campaign team as they confront the repercussions of this blatant attempt to sabotage their progress and one of their own. Will they be able to rise above the chaos and persist in their pursuit of the mayoral office, or will political interference hinder their progress, handing Noah the lead?
Questions must be asked. Could candidate Noah Harrington and his team be, in fact, involved?
As the mayoral election approaches, Bay City prepares for a fiercely fought battle for its future. In the face of such adversity, only time will tell if Paisley and the rest of Beckett’s team have what it takes to emerge victorious against the backdrop of uncertainty and intrigue.
Sweet Tea Scandals, Annabelle Grace Turner.”
He folds the paper back over, watching me closely for my reaction.
I place the bouquet back in the bucket and start on the next one, collecting up flowers and foliage as I walk around the table. “Do you really think someone would try and kill me to get at you?” I ask, uncertainty creeping into my voice. Noah thinks this is because of him. But Beckett and this story also have a point. He’s far more hated than Noah. I’m just the pawn stuck in the middle of it all.
“I think there’s more to this, all of it. I’ve hired a private investigator.”
I stop making the bouquet I’m holding and stare at him. “To do what?”
He shrugs. “Snoop around. Something’s not right. I figure Annabelle is on to something. Maybe Noah’s team’s not as legit as he thinks, and if that’s the case, you could be in real trouble. We both could.”
“Maybe you should go talk to her if she has the answers.” I roll my eyes. I hate this Annabelle, hiding behind the paper, using it as a shield to protect her and her venomous, hurtful words. This could all be some bullshit made up to cause a scandal, that’s what she loves.
“I would, but I’m in the same position as the rest of the town. I have no clue who she is.”
I glance up at him, not believing it. “Surely Hamilton knows, he runs that place now. And from what I’ve seen, the two of you are close. He would tell you.”
I can tell from the way he shakes his head and his facial expression that he’s being sincere. Even the Prescotts have no idea who she really is. How is that even possible?
My hands grip the stems a little tighter than I should. “So, this bitch has all the answers and she’s just going to report on it, sending her hurtful stories out into the world without a care, even though there could be a real threat out there wanting to kill me. Are you kidding me? Someone has to know who she is.” The flowers in my hands shake, and Beckett takes them from me, holding my hands in his in a comforting gesture.
“My guess is she was leaked some information and that’s all she knows about it. If we knew her identity, she wouldn’t be privy to information like this. Her identity is kept that way for a reason. To protect her and make sure this town is kept informed.”
I get what he is saying, but right now, I want to know who wants me dead. And if she has any idea, we should be trying to get it out of her. “We will have to agree to disagree on that,” I huff with a roll of my eyes. I hate secrets and scandals, and she’s the queen of them.
Noah walks through the front door. The air crackles with tension as he and Beckett engage in a silent, intense standoff. I’m surprised he left the two of us alone together this long.
Beckett returns his attention to me, his expression serious. “What’s going on here?” he demands, dropping my hands, all kindness stricken from his voice as he glances between me and Noah.
Noah raises a brow, still looking Beckett over, and I know he wasn’t happy about walking in on us hand in hand, but he’s keeping that to himself. “Thought I would drop in and check on Paisley. Did you hear some goon ran her off the road last night, Prescott?”
Beckett approaches me from behind, enveloping his hands around my shoulders and giving me a comforting hug. “Yes, that would be why I’m here as well. Just making sure my girl is okay.”
The tension in the air intensifies, and my back stiffens. These two are terrible. It’s so damn obvious they’re trying to bait each other. For God’s sake, I don’t have time for this shit today. I swat Beckett away.
“She’s not your girl, just your campaign manager. And if it was up to me, she wouldn’t even be that anymore. Working for you is too dangerous,” Noah growls, his voice low and menacing. After what we shared last night, it’s obvious he’s feeling a little overprotective this morning, and I get it. If it was him who’d been run off the road, I would be terrified.
Beckett laughs light-heartedly, but I feel the tension coming off him. “How do you know this wasn’t someone on your team? I tend to agree with Miss Turner on this. I hope the police are investigating every possible angle. I will do anything to keep Paisley safe.”
Noah puffs out his chest, moving toward Beckett. “So would I. This wasn’t someone on my team,” Noah seethes, getting up in his face, his fists clenched by his sides, ready for a fight.
Quickly I move in between them, a hand on both their chests. They eye each other off but back off. I’m not having a fist fight in my shop on day one. “Boys, we’ve had enough drama today, don’t you think? I have a shit ton of work to do, and you two having a pissing match isn’t helping me get it done.”
“I was just coming to see if you need my car to run your deliveries today,” Noah offers, and I know he’s seen Beckett show up with a van from his workspace across the road.
“Thanks, but Beckett rented me a van.” I almost wince as I say it. I really appreciate all the help Beckett’s been giving me, but now it makes me feel bad as well, because I know how pissed Noah will be.
“Of course he did.” He glares at Beckett. Coming around behind the counter, he kisses my cheek, sending a rush of warmth running through me, even though I know this is more about making a claim on me.
“This accident must have been really bad. Did you bump your head, Paisley?” Beckett smirks at me, his fucking smartass dimples showing.
“No,” I mutter in Beckett’s direction.
But Noah wraps his arm around me protectively. “You need to back the fuck off, Beckett.”
“Maybe I bumped my head on my way in here.” Beckett scratches his head, looking confused.
I close my eyes, trying to form a sentence that explains what is going on here. Last I saw Beckett, I swore to him I would cool it until after the election, and I meant it at the time, but last night has changed everything. “Noah was the first car on scene after I was run off the road. He called the police for me and took me home,” I try to explain.
Beckett eyes him suspiciously, and it’s like something clicks for him. “I think we both know who’s responsible for this. It’s her MO.”
“Margo?” Noah says, their eyes meeting in silent understanding.
I return my attention to Beckett. “What do you know, Beckett?”
“I dated her a while back. She was possessive as hell, and one night, while another girl I was seeing drove home from my place, Margo deliberately rammed her car, sending it into a tree. Next morning, Margo arrived at my place in a brand-new car courtesy of her daddy at the Giorgio luxury car dealership. The old car was never seen again, and the poor girl ended up in the hospital.”
Anger swirls through me. That bitch was the one. I knew she was after Noah, and after what he told me last night and now this, there is no way he can continue to work with her. She’s crazy.
“Are you fucking kidding me, her father is Mr. Giorgio?” Noah growls out, his voice laced with venom.
I glance back at Noah, confused by his anger. “What, Noah, what does that mean?”
“It means your man Noah can’t trust his campaign manager. I’d say she’s been lying through her teeth since she approached him to run for mayor.” Beckett smirks at him, challenging him in a way I don’t like. He’s enjoying Noah’s discomfort too much.
I grab Noah’s hand to stop him from doing something stupid. I wouldn’t put it past him to punch Beckett right now. “Noah, tell me what’s going on,” I ask softly, trying to bring his attention back to me.
But he just glares back at Beckett, his eyes narrowed and filled with barely contained rage, like he’s going to mess him up.
“Might be time to drop out of the race, save us all the trouble. We both know I’m going to win anyway.” Beckett winks at him cheekily.
“Beckett, you’re not helping,” I chastise him, ready to punch him myself. This isn’t the time to be smug. Noah is already on edge, and it’s not going to take much for him to lose it completely. But maybe that’s what Beckett wants.
Beckett’s attention is focused on Noah. “Someone had to tell you the truth. Don’t shoot the messenger. You agree with me, right, Noah? It’s why you’re so angry. You know it was Margo.”
Noah’s eyes meet mine with a sad resignation. “He’s right, Paisley. It has to be her. I know this is the last thing you want to hear, but it might be time to get you a bodyguard, someone to watch over you until this campaign is over.”
I look at Noah like he has lost his mind, then I glance back to Beckett.
He’s nodding. “I agree with Noah. We don’t know how far this is going to escalate. I would feel more comfortable knowing you’re protected until we win this thing.”
My stomach sinks, an uneasiness coming over me at how protective they’re both being. I feel like there is something they’re not telling me. “Can’t you just go and fire Margo, get rid of the problem?”
“It’s a start, but trust me, once Margo is fixated on something, it’s not going to be that easy to rid her from your life. Did you ever ask why she picked you in the first place, Noah? Or should I say why they did? They were looking for someone pliable and easy to manipulate, and who better than the son of their old buddy. You fell right into their trap, and now you have two choices: join them and be just like daddy or drop out of the race and hand the title over to me.”