Page 22 of A Temptation Too Great

“I’ll let her know you’re here,” the clerk says, and we all find seats together.

Fiona grasps my free hand. How can this be happening? Shane said marrying her would keep her safe. When the doors open, Shane’s raised voice barks orders to the staff. I don’t see Aidan, but I expect he’s back there too. As Ari approaches, Lex quickly stands and walks over to her. They whisper for a moment, and she nods in response to his questions. Her eyes look worried, and I’m scared. Lex seems so awkward as he pulls her close and hugs her before letting her go.

Arianna comes over, and we all jump up, swarming around her.

“What?” we all ask simultaneously.

“It’s not good. She’ll be lucky to make it, and she’ll need a lot of reconstructive surgery. He cut her up just to cut her. Her hip is fractured, along with her arm and jaw.” Tears roll down my face as we all cry for our friend. “She can’t see. Shane said she was hit in the head with a baseball bat.” We stay huddled together when the doors open again, and Shane steps out with Aidan. He tells us they’re taking her into surgery.

Hours pass as we wait for any news about Giselle. When my father and brother walk in and head straight toward Shane, I stand up. Brody stands with me, and we move toward them.

“Shane O’Conner, you’re coming with us to answer questions regarding the murder of Britain Clacksmith.” Eoin steps up to Shane. My father hangs back slightly, looking around. When his eyes land on me, he shakes his head.

“Excuse me?” Shane jumps up and gets right in my brother’s face. I’m about to step between them, but Brody holds me back.

“What proof do you have?” I raise my voice to be heard over the men.

Security moves toward us, and so do Aidan’s men. The girls stand back, and Brody spins me around to stand with them.

“Stay there, little spitfire,” Brody orders me.

I want to fight him, but we don’t need anyone else ending up in the hospital. We already have enough to worry about with Giselle, so I just nod at him. Voices rise, and men start shoving each other. Shane yells that my father and brother can’t prove who killed Britain. My brother zeroes in on Brody and starts pushing him around. There’s no actual questioning happening, just my brother and father throwing their weight around because they’re the law. I hate it. And in this moment, I’m so glad I was turned down for that job with the local station.

After everything that’s happened, and everything I’m learning, I know there’s only one thing that can stop this.

“Solicitor,” I shout, loud and firm. That one word will shut down their line of questioning, but it’ll also buy Shane some time.

Everyone stops and turns to look at me. My brother gives Brody a final shove, then looks down at me.

“I agree with Moira. I want a solicitor present. And because my wife is here in critical care, you can call them tomorrow to set up an appointment once she’s stabilized.” Shane looks over at me, and I see the relief on his face. This is what I wanted—to defuse the situation and protect the people who have protected me over the last few months. They’ve been there for me when my own family refused to be.

Eoin points at me. “You think you’re so big, bad, and tough now that you got that job with the law practice. You know they represent this lot here, right? You’ve basically gotten into bed with the Tiernans, both physically and metaphorically.”

His words are bitter and angry, but they don’t faze me. I’m done being his whipping post. I’m done letting him treat me worse than the rug he wipes his boots on. For once, it’s not about him or his career.

I haven’t even had a chance to tell my friends about the new job. The fact that my brother already knows is a bit shocking.

I tip my head slightly and smirk at Eoin. “I’d rather fight the injustice of corrupt police officers trying to further their careers than work with people who hide behind a badge and think they’re above the law. I’m proud of my new job. If you can’t be, then go feck yourself.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Brody press his lips together, trying not to laugh.

“Now, until they’re represented by their solicitor, you can’t question any of them.” I lift my chin and square off with my brother and father.

“Come on, son.” My father tries to pull Eoin back, away from us.

“You’ll regret this,” Eoin threatens me, and Brody doesn’t hesitate to step into his face.

“Don’t you threaten her again.” It’s all Brody says. It’s a warning, sharp but not enough to get him arrested.

Eoin’s jaw tightens before he turns and storms out of the hospital.

“Good thinking, sweetheart.” Niall puts his arm around me as Brody and I walk back to our seats. “I’m proud of you for thinking on your toes.” He smiles and then moves over to sit near Aidan, Fiona, and Shane.

Grady walks in with Seamus a few moments later, and they both nod at Shane. I suspect Shane really did kill Britain, the man who attacked Giselle and tried to kill her. As far as I’m concerned, it was justified. From what we’ve all learned, Britain is tied to Giselle’s past, and he’s the one who left her for dead the last time.

We stay a few hours longer, until Giselle is moved to the intensive care unit. Then I decide to head home, taking Arianna, Ronan, and Brigid with me. Deandra goes home with her father, Carson, who wants to keep her close. Something from their past was stirred up by what happened at the hospital.

It was almost shocking to see the amount of people who are now in Giselle’s corner, worried about her and wanting to make sure she’s okay, especially after she said she didn’t have anyone, that she only had us. She has a family now, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.

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