Read Online Beyond (BOOK 1.5) by Melissa Pearl - Free Book Online

the Sheriff trying to bring a wayward teen into line.
    Should I start yelling? Would that even help?
    The Sheriff's dragging me towards his car. I nearly trip, but he hauls me back to my feet.
    "Take me to him, now."
    "No." I try to stand my ground, but am forced forward. We're at the car now. He slams me against it and does that thing where he gets in my face again.
    "Tell me where he is. What did you make him do?"
    "Nothing. It was his decision."
    The Sheriff's hard veneer cracks, his skin paling and his eyes flooding with fear. "He's gone to the mayor?"
    The flash of worry is swiftly replaced by a molten rage. His fist bunches tight and I'm sure he's about to punch me in the face. Instead, he slams the roof of his car and yells, "You've made him throw his life away!"
    Opening the door, he shoves me into the car and marches around to the driver's side. I'm tempted to get out and make a run for it. But, he's started the car before I can react. It takes like a minute to get to city hall. He screeches into the parking lot and slams on the brakes right outside the door.
    My door is ripped open, and I'm once again hauled from the car. His voice is a menacing whisper in my ear as he drags me into the building. "You are going to tell the mayor exactly what I say or your little boyfriend is going down. That police record of his has him walking a very fine line. It's not going to take much to make him fall. One little slip up and he's in for it. I can make that slip up happen. Are you understanding me, Nicole?"
    I am. The look on his face tells me he's all too serious. If I don't get Adam out of this, he's going to frame my boyfriend.
    "You're such an ass." Man it feels good to finally say that to his face. I've been thinking it for months.
    His brows pinch together in a tight line. Yanking me past reception, I'm basically tripping over my feet as the Sheriff leads us to the mayor's office. He's obviously familiar with the building, because no one seems to question him as we march our way through.
    The mayor's PA is just hanging up the phone as we stop by her desk.
    The sheriff loosens his grip and pastes on a smile.
    "Well, hello Sheriff." She grins. "The mayor's just let Adam through, says he always has time for your boy."
    "Thanks." Sheriff Hutton forces out the words. "Sorry we're late."
    Janine looks slightly confused, but nods anyway. "Okay, well, just head on through."
     
    Adam is sitting in an arm chair, next to a low coffee table. The mayor is adjacent to him, looking concerned. There's a look of agony in Adam's eyes that quickly morphs to terror when he sees us barging in.
    "Mayor Stanford, sorry we're late."
    "Dad." Adam swallows. "What are you...what are you doing here?"
    Adam looks to me. I mouth an apology then glance at the mayor. The man's jovial face looks unusually serious. I'm not used to that stern expression. I've never really spoken to the guy before. I know he thinks my mom rocks, but does he even know who I am?
    "Good afternoon, Nicole." The mayor holds out his hand. I tentatively shake it then take a seat when he points to the chair next to Adam.
    The Sheriff sits down beside me, his agitated fingers digging into his knees.
    "I'm so sorry about all the confusion, Johnson." He looks at the mayor with a strained smile. "These kids have been cooking up a plan behind my back, and I've only just found out about it. I brought Miss Tepper down here to clear things up...get the story straight."
    He points a glare at me that reminds me of his whispered words. I swallow and glance at Adam before opening my mouth.
    "I um…" I scratch the side of my nose. Shit! What do I do? The sheriff can't get away with this, but if I don't lie, he'll bury Dale. "I..."
    "Don't make her do this, Dad." Adam sighs. "Just let us tell the truth and get it over with."
    "She is going to tell the truth, son." He grips my shoulder, a firm reminder of his warning.
    I look to the mayor. His face is annoyingly neutral, giving me no clue how