Good Intentions (Welcome to Paradise) (Volume 2) Read Online Free Page B

the pool. Tears sting my eyes because the hard evidence of that text can’t be discounted so easily. Evan hasn’t questioned her or bothered to see the same thing I’ve seen with my own eyes, yet he’s been questioning me, treating me like I’m crazy.
    “Stop! Don’t go!” Evan’s voice carries over the music, drawing the crowd’s attention.
    I do stop. The man I hate myself for loving tells me to, so I do. I stop in my tracks and turn back to look at him, hoping he’ll make this whole night go away, that he’ll put us back the way we were yesterday. His face is beautifully pained. Worry creasing his forehead as he searches for the right thing to say. The words won’t come tonight because he’s been caught in his own web of lies, but then he surprises me. “I trust you, Mallory. But Kalei, you better not put a hand on her.”
    Noah grips my arm, and I turn to look at him, surprised by the possessiveness of his hold on me. “I would never hurt her. I’m not like you, Ashford. I know how you treat women. We all know what you did to my sister!”
    There are moments in life where it slows to a crawl and everything becomes vivid, almost to the point of overexposure. A lump forms in my throat as the bright dots connect—Evan, Noah, enemies, Noah’s sister, Evan’s tragic past, words from Kate – ‘changed who he is’ –and I come full circle, blinded by the obvious truth.
    “She’s dead because of you!” Noah yells, pain and fury combined in those five shocking words.
    Evan is shaking his head, a violence revealing the battle behind his eyes, and I reflexively cower against Noah. Evan’s expression drops when his gaze lands on me—every emotion playing out in a brilliance of spectacular colors. His secret exposed in front of everyone, in front of me. The most dazzling of lights turned off behind his deep blues, and darkness takes over. The window into his soul slammed shut.
    Hugh Ashford steps in front of Evan, his hands up, his words direct, but trying to calm as he speaks to Noah. “I know you’re upset, Noah, but you need to leave or I’ll have you removed. This is not the time or the place for that discussion. That matter has been put to rest.”
    “My sister was put to rest because of your son. Your money can’t bring her back!”
    “Don’t you talk about Lani! I’m dead fucking serious.” Evan stalks toward him, and shouts, “After all we’ve been through, you have some nerve buying Mallory a surfboard. If I hadn’t been there…” There’s a distinct change in tone, but I can’t figure it out before his anger surges again. “…I’m warning you to keep your fucking hands off her.”
    “You mean respect her like you do?” He laughs, but I can tell there’s no humor to be found.
    “Noah, stop,” I beg, looking up at him, but my plea falls on deaf ears.
    To my embarrassment, Noah continues, “Or more specifically, you don’t want me to do her in the parking lot of a party. Is that what you mean, Ashford? Don’t treat her like a whore?”
    I stand there shocked, feeling humiliation cover my face as my cheeks pulse with heat, all eyes on me—judging, watching, assuming. Just as my gaze lands on Sunny’s face, her expression showing the pain she feels for me, I’m drawn back to Evan as he lunges to punch Noah.
    Murphy jumps in the middle and captures Evan’s hand in the air, blocking the impact with his fist. “We’re not going to do this, Evan, so calm the fuck down. This is a party, man,” Murphy commands, standing between the two former friends.
    Noah cups my face, forcing me to look at him. His words are urgent as he stares straight into my eyes. “I will never treat you like that. You mean more to me than that, Mallory.” He pulls me by the arm and as if I don’t have a say in the matter, I go stumbling behind him.
    “Mallory!” Evan calls, and though I know better, my heart still aches for him.
    Looking over my shoulder, Murphy and Zach have him restrained. My