Page 14 of A Temptation Too Great

"What?” Giselle asks, confused, as she pushes away from his chest and scrambles to get down, but he refuses to let her go.

I don’t hear what he says to her as he turns and heads for the car. I sense Brody standing near me, and when I turn, I want to lean into him. I slowly slide my hand to his waist, and his hand moves to my hip, pulling me in. I’m so close. I’m ready to feel him again when a flicker of movement catches my eye.

I turn and see my father standing in the doorway, focused on us.

I pull my hand away, and Brody drops his from my hip. My body aches from the loss, but then he laces our fingers together. Our palms touch, and a calm settles over me.

I watch as my father’s eyes focus on our joined hands.

Brody

* * *

I’m not intimidated by him, but I don’t want him to hurt Moira either. I squeeze her hand to let her know I’m right here with her. Her father walks across the small lawn toward us.

“What’s this?” He gestures toward our interlocked hands.

I love that she was ready to seek comfort from me. I had to lock everything inside when he was yelling at Moira. This man is hateful and mean.

“This is Brody,” she says, introducing us. She doesn’t try to pull her hand away again.

That alone shows me how much pain she’s truly in. How lost and broken today has become for her. I can’t help but worry that if she had been here sleeping, she could have ended up like Giselle in those photos.

“Inspector Kelly.” I nod my head at him.

“How about you? Where were you when this happened? Is this your way of trying to get to my daughter? Using her friend and this poor woman’s images to scare her so she’ll come to you.”

“Da, enough. Brody showed up because he’s my friend. And that is Giselle in those pictures.” Moira shakes her head.

How did this idiot become an inspector if he can’t even tell that’s Giselle in the pictures? It’s obvious.

“Moira, you’ll watch how you talk to me?—”

I stop him before he can say more or threaten her. “No, you will watch how you speak to her. She’s with me, and I won’t allow you to disrespect her.”

He moves closer to us, and I notice the other officers forming a circle around us.

“Are you threatening me, boy?” he barks.

“I’d never threaten you. But if you continue to disrespect Ms. Kelly, I promise I’ll have to defend her honor by any means necessary,” I say softly.

“Brody.” Moira slides between us, and I’m pissed that she’s putting herself in danger like this, especially with her back turned to the most unhinged person here. But she moves just enough for me to know she’s aware of her father. She’s ready if he attacks. I watch him look down at her over her head, and I shift slightly, worried we might have to fight our way through all these men.

“Hello, mo stóirín. As soon as Fiona told me what happened, I needed to come and check on you.” My father’s voice breaks the quiet. I don’t take my eyes off Moira’s father, and when my dad reaches out to pull Moira from between us, I feel better. Her father steps back, and mine pulls Moira behind him.

“Hello, Inspector Kelly. It’s been a very long time.”

I watch as Moira’s father bristles.

“Niall, I had no clue you knew my daughter.” Her father tries to act like he knows my father personally.

“Barry, this lovely lady had breakfast with me last week. I felt I should get to know the woman my son is so enamored with. Tell me, do you have someone in mind for this crime?” My father challenges Inspector Kelly.

The way they casually use each other’s first names makes me pause. It catches Moira by surprise too. Her gasp, as her father steps back without looking at her, confirms her fears.

“Da?” she asks as the other officers around us step back.

“I have more questions for Mr. Tiernan,” he says, avoiding answering her.

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