Page 19 of A Temptation Too Great

“No, stay here.”

She nods, and I head to the closet to pull on a pair of jeans, a pullover, and my cut. When I return to the bed, her eyes are closed. I lean down and press a kiss to the top of her head.

“I’ll make you safe,” I vow, then turn and walk out of the room.

Chapter Seven

Moira

I lie in bed with my eyes closed, knowing he must have thought I was asleep when he made that oath and kissed me goodbye. The way his heart was in it almost made me give in and tell him I was awake. He knows I’m going to leave. I have to. This is my chance to get away from him.

I jump up and grab some clothes, moving quickly to get ready. Arianna has a late shift and will be leaving soon, and I plan to be in that car with her. I can’t jeopardize Brody’s life. Or Fiona’s. Not when I just found him, and not when her life is taking off. My brother threatened them. I can’t believe he would do that. The email he sent me earlier made it clear. If I want to protect my chosen family and friends, I have to walk away from all of them.

I can stay at the hotel for a night or two. After tomorrow, I’ll find somewhere else. It means dipping into my precious savings, but until I find a better job and can afford my own place, I don’t have much choice. I know Eoin will threaten my roommates next.

Tonight at the wedding, Niall gave me a card for a company that’s interested in hiring me. He said he already spoke with them, and I have an interview scheduled for tomorrow morning. They also have some valuable information for me. If I can stay away from all the usual places, neither Brody nor Eoin will be able to find me.

Looking around the house, a part of my heart shrivels. I wanted this place to be mine. Brody has called it our house since the first night he brought me here.

A soft whine draws me toward the garden room, still empty of furniture. Just yesterday, after Brody made love to me more than once, he brought me downstairs to show me the new puppy he’d found for us. His name is Lorcan. He’s an Irish Wolfhound.

I scoop him up and snuggle him close. He’s so lovey. I wish I could take him with me, but this is his home. It’s not mine anymore. After setting Lorcan back behind the gate to keep him from roaming the house, I turn my back on the life I could have had.

I slip out the front door and spot the guards walking the perimeter, but none of them stop me. As the car pulls up to take Arianna to work, I rush over and climb in on the other side.

“What are you doing?” Ari gasps, looking me over. She’s in denim jeans and a loose-fitting sweater. Her hair is twisted up in a bun. I know she’ll change into scrubs once she gets to the hospital.

“I need a ride into town.” I’m breathless from the adrenaline and hurrying to make sure I made it on time.

“You’re running from him again,” she says.

I don’t have to explain. Ari and I talk as much as I talk to Giselle.

“I have to.” I don’t offer more. I won’t get her involved.

“Okay.”

We make small talk about the wedding and who we think will get pregnant next, laughing as the car pulls up to the hospital. I get out and see her friend Greta, who was in nursing school with her, waiting on the curb. She hands Arianna a cup of coffee. Ari hates coffee, but she’s too nice to tell her she prefers tea. She takes a small sip, pretending it’s the nectar of the gods, then turns to give me a yuck-face. I can’t help giggling, and Greta shoots me the evil eye.

“We have a busy schedule tonight, so you won’t be able to visit,” Greta says to me, her voice clipped.

I smile sweetly, trying the kill-them-with-kindness approach. But this girl is pure bitterness. Black coffee must run through her veins.

“Oh, I’m not staying.” I walk over to Arianna and pull her into a quick hug. “I’ll keep you posted. Don’t go back to the house,” I whisper so Greta can’t hear. Greta hates all of us. Actually, she hates anyone who’s friends with Ari, except herself. She acts like she’s supposed to be Ari’s only friend. “Love you,” I say louder, then decide to help my friend out. “I’ll take this off your hands, since you’re so busy.” I grab the coffee from her and take a big gulp, trying not to cringe. I’m not a coffee drinker either.

“Call me.” Arianna giggles as she moves off.

“That was yours,” Greta snaps, reaching for the cup, but I sidestep her.

“It’s okay. You said we’re so busy. I wouldn’t have time to finish it.”

They walk off toward the employee entrance, and I make my way down the block before turning the corner and trashing the offending drink.

I flag down a cabby and jump in, giving the driver the hotel address. I want to go home and grab an outfit for tomorrow’s interview, but instead, I packed one of the dresses Brody bought for me. It’s a beautiful houndstooth-pattern mini skirt dress. I also borrowed a pair of black heels and a matching bag. I need to look the part for this interview. It’s with a prestigious law practice. I’d be working with their investigations department.

When I finally settle into bed, after blocking the door with a chair and blocking Brody once he started blowing up my phone, it takes me forever to fall asleep. Only one night in his bed, and I already miss him. I also miss the familiar sounds of the house where my friends and I all lived. My roommates have been such an integral part of my life for so long, and now I won’t have them with me.

Brody

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