Page 13 of A Temptation Too Great

“Call the police. One of your roommate’s rooms on the third floor was vandalized.”

“Okay.” I dial the emergency number instead of my father, and we wait outside for them to arrive. While we wait, Carson moves his car and leans against it across the street.

My father shows up. “Really, Moira? You had to call it in?” He doesn’t let me get a word in.

I look over to see Carson shaking his head and huffing as he texts on his phone.

“Father, my friend went inside. Giselle’s room was vandalized.”

He makes me show him. I lead him inside and up to Giselle’s room. When I see the damage and the photos, I freeze. I call her immediately, telling her she needs to come see it for herself, because I can’t believe what I’m looking at.

“I’ll get technicians in here, but this is just a bunch of pictures. It’s not real vandalism. How do you know she didn’t do this herself for attention?” my father says.

I look down at an image of one of my dearest friends. In my heart, I know it’s her. Her face is different now, but I can see from another picture why. She’s bleeding out on the floor, a purple carpet beneath her.

“This isn’t threatening, and there is nothing we can do about,” he adds.

I’ve been arguing with him for a while now, and I’m getting tired of it. I’m so angry he doesn’t care. I’m finally seeing him the way Niall warned me about.

"What do you mean this is nothing threatening?" I yell and throw the picture at him just as I hear a commotion from stairs.

Giselle, Shane, and Grady walk in with Brody right behind them.

"Moira, I told you, pictures are not threats. We can't do anything about them, unless there is a direct threat."

"Someone came into our home and destroyed her room, leaving these. Can't you get him for breaking and entering, along with destruction of property?"

You’ve got to be kidding me. He knows the law and can stop this, but he’s choosing not to.

Giselle focuses on my father and the picture in his hand. She yanks it away from him, and I watch as her legs wobble. Shock crosses her face, quickly turning to horror as she takes in the image. Shane grabs the picture and hands it to Grady before pulling her into his arms. She breaks free and runs for the stairs, with him following close behind.

They reappear a few moments later with Shane cradling her in his arms. She looks so broken, and my heart aches for her. This is the past she’s been hiding from us all this time. It hurts that she never confided in me, but after seeing the pictures, I realize she probably did it to protect us.

"Giselle, we'd like to ask you some questions." My father’s voice breaks me from my thoughts. I can’t believe he’s going to do this right now. Can’t he see she’s beyond talking? She’s moments away from a full-blown panic attack.

"Dad, please, give her some time." I step forward and touch his arm, trying to convey this isn’t the right moment. When he looks down at me, all I see is hardness in his eyes. Across the room, Brody watches me. I wish I could go to him and get the comfort we all need right now.

"I need to know if she recognizes the woman in those pictures. And what this necklace means," my dad yells at me.

I stare at him, incredulous that he’s so blind. How does he not see that’s her? That she somehow survived that attack? It explains the scars she tries so hard to hide from us. Why doesn’t he have any sympathy for the fact that her space was invaded and her past thrown in her face like this?

I walk over to stand near Shane and Giselle, putting some distance between us and my father. The more I see of him, the more I’m worried Niall was right.

Shane’s body tightens, and Brody moves closer to us.

"And besides that, what is Mr. O'Connor doing here? He and the Tiernan organization have nothing to do with this." My father doesn’t stop while he’s ahead. He knows that since Fiona got involved with Aidan, these men have been here to protect us. They’ve been there when my family wouldn’t help or stand by me.

"Anything that has to do with my fiancée has to do with me," Shane says, and my eyes bug out. I can’t believe it. Why is he claiming to be her fiancé? I look over at my father, who is just as shocked as I am.

"Inspector Kelly, Ms. Bell was with me all night, and I would assume that you know, based on what I just said, our solicitor must be present for you to question her." Shane stands with Giselle still in his arms. He doesn't say anything more but carries her out of the room and down the stairs. Brody and Grady turn and follow them out. I’m run after them, wanting to ask some questions.

"Grady, come on," Shane says when they get outside.

I rush up to them. "Wait, Giselle, is this real?"

Shane stops and turns to look at me. "Yes, it's true. I believe Brody will be picking you and the other girls up for the event tomorrow."

Event? Tomorrow?

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