Page 10 of A Temptation Too Great

“Because you’re making it worse. Her brother attacked her because of you. We can’t prove it, but there’s some fecked-up shit going on with him. Lex is pulling as much information as he can. Also, she asked you to step back.”

I explode out of the booth and lean over my brother, who just sits there sipping his coffee as if I’m no threat. I sense movement behind me. I know it’s Shane. “Are you monitoring my phone?” I snap at him through gritted teeth.

“Sit down, little brother, before Shane shows you how. Or I will,” he says calmly but firmly. I listen to him and sit. “No. Lex is monitoring her phone after what you and Fiona told me. It’s only for her protection. He told me about the text. She’ll think you’re giving her space, but it’s really you stepping back to protect her. You need to do this, or I’m afraid her body will be the next the peelers find.”

He's referencing the serial killer who has been stalking the nights in Belfast. I take a deep breath, reach for my whiskey, and down the rest before holding up the glass for a refill.

“If something happens to her, I will never forgive you, and I’ll kill Grady myself.”

“On that note, I have a wife to get home to.” Aidan stands, finishes his coffee, and then leaves.

Small talk is all Father and I manage for the rest of dinner, but inside, I’m stewing. I feel like they’re more worried about her brother being a peeler than about her protection. But I can’t go against Aidan without sending a message to all the men, and I won’t do that when we’re already on thin ice after the Sir attack a few weeks ago, when the girls were kidnapped. The KOPS MC clubhouse was destroyed, along with Aidan’s office next door to his home. Sir didn’t know Aidan had a house behind it, or that our personal homes were there. If he had, I’m sure he would have tried to destroy those too. Sir is upset because Aidan told him he wouldn’t bow down to anyone. He leads the Knights, not some bloody American businessman and his corrupt fascist organization.

Chapter Four

Moira

The night has been dragging, and I glance at the clock, glad I get to clock out in an hour. It’s just now six in the morning, and I can’t wait to get off my feet and collapse into bed. The doorbell chime signals someone stepping into the lobby. I walk out to the counter and watch as a tall man enters.

When he pulls off his knit cap, revealing his bald head, and turns toward me, my stomach drops. Feck! What is he doing here? I take a deep breath, bracing myself. He’s probably just as upset with me as my father is. Brody’s father can’t be happy that his son is chasing after a future police officer.

“Hello, Mr. Tiernan. How are you this evening?” I address him before he reaches the counter. His hard features soften, and he smiles at me. In that smile, I see Brody, even the small cleft in his chin.

“You do remember who I am, lass.” He steps up to the counter and leans against it, then glances around. “I sincerely hope you aren’t in here by yourself.”

“No, sir. There’s security making rounds right now. Why? Are you here to kidnap me?” I joke, and he throws his head back laughing. It’s a full, genuine laugh that makes him look so much younger. I can’t help but compare him to my own father, who rarely laughs or finds joy in anything anymore. I used to think it was because of my mother’s death, but now I’m not so sure.

“Would you come with me willingly, lass?”

I love how his voice has nearly the same timbre as Brody’s. It softens my heart a bit. Fiona will get the rest of his life to joke and tease with him just like this.

“Right now, I’d jump at the chance to get out of here. It’s only the start of my work week, and I’m already exhausted.” I half joke, but I’m serious. It’s only Thursday, and I’m ready to call it a week. I’ve been in classes over the last three days, and midterms are coming up in a couple of weeks. I don’t know how much longer I can manage three days of classes and five days of work. I’ve already tried talking to my boss about switching to weekends only, but she’s not too keen on that right now.

“Ah, mo stóirín, I would rescue you from this castle if you’d let me. I’ve wanted to be a knight in shining armor for a long time, but I fear I’d have to be the black knight, because your knight isn’t me.” He chuckles softly and reaches out to take my hand in his. I feel the warmth, and that’s when his words hit me.

“Wait. My knight?”

“My son. He wants to be your knight, but we’ve advised him to give you some space to protect you.”

I shake my head, even more confused. “Protect me?”

“Come, come, mo stóirín. You and I both know you were attacked because of Brody. No matter what you say, there is no other reason. Now, you have about thirty minutes, and I’d like to take you to breakfast. I’m sure you know this perfect little bakery that has the best French pastries.”

That’s the second time he’s called me mo stóirín—my little darling in Irish.

“I can’t.”

“You can. There is no reason not to. I’ll make sure you get home safe, and it will keep my son from getting arrested for breaking a peeler’s knee.”

“I don’t understand.” I shake my head again, still not sure why he’s doing this.

“I’ll be waiting outside. You just have to come out and get in my auto.” He lets go of my hand and turns to look at me as he walks away. “Don’t try to leave through another entrance. My men have them covered. We need to talk.”

I nod slowly, glancing around, unsure of what I’m going to do. Being in his presence isn’t any better than being around Brody, at least in my family’s eyes. But I do want to know what he has to say. I want to understand what he means, why he thinks Brody would do that for me. I told Brody to leave me alone for a bit, and it’s been a couple of days. I haven’t seen any of his men following me. Honestly, I thought he’d finally given up and decided to leave me alone.

“I do know a place,” I tell him as he raises a hand and walks out.

I watch him slip his hat back on, then I close out my till and finalize the reports for the morning staff.

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