Page 32 of A Temptation Too Great

Fiona sits with me while I stay curled in the fetal position. Police officers search our home without care, dropping and breaking things. Rory, Brody’s younger brother, follows them, taking pictures of the damage. When an officer tells him to back off, Rory replies that his solicitor advised him to do this.

Lex walks into the chaos, and Aidan quickly fills him in on what happened. I just watch, not caring about anything around me. I know I need to figure things out, but in a matter of a few hours, I’ve confirmed who murdered my mam, and now my da is dead too. I have no family left except my brother, who is responsible for my mam’s death. Did he kill our father too?

“Moira, I need to talk to you.” Lex squats down beside the sofa.

I finally focus on something and look up into his eyes. His blue-green eyes remind me of sea glass. And his hair— I never noticed the hints of red in it before. He’s quite handsome, but he’s not my Brody. That thought nearly brings more tears to my eyes. If Brody had never fallen for me, he wouldn’t be going through this right now.

“Moira, snap out of it,” Lex bites out sharper, and I sit up, stretching my spine and neck. “That’s better. Come on.”

He grabs my hand and leads me out the door off the kitchen into the storage area. Then he steps into a utility room with a sink and plenty of cabinets and shelves. He clicks a few buttons on the wall, and a low buzzing starts.

“What’s going? What is that sound?”

“It’s to prevent any bugs from listening in. I’ve also locked everyone out and soundproofed the room.”

For a moment, I feel vulnerable. But I know Brody would never leave us with anyone he doesn’t trust explicitly.

“Your mam only had one child,” he says, dropping a bomb. I shake my head, trying to process what he just said. “Her name is on Eoin’s birth certificate, but she didn’t give birth to your brother.”

“That doesn’t make sense. How can her name be on it if he’s not hers?”

“The original birth certificate listed no mother. He was adopted by your mom.” I notice for the first time he switches between “mam” and “mom,” just like his odd accent changes at times. “He’s your father’s son, though.”

“Are you saying my father had an affair? That he got a woman pregnant, and that’s how my brother came to be?”

“Yes, exactly. Your mam filed for divorce, but then she changed her mind. When you came along, she thought things would be fine. But Eoin has always had a strange fixation on you. Your mom tried to keep him away. She found out how bad it was when she walked into his room and saw his little shrine to you.”

“His what?”

“He’s been taking pictures of you without your knowledge for years. I suspect that’s why your dad was killed. Eoin finally slipped up and told him how he plans to marry you and get you pregnant.”

“I’m going to be sick.” I turn toward the sink and throw up everything I just ate. Lex pats my back awkwardly and then hands me a towel when I’m done.

“There’s more,” he says.

“What more can there be? He’s already destroyed my whole family.”

“He’s the serial killer. I’ve sent proof to the police, along with video footage of him leaving your father’s house right after the attack, covered in blood.”

“I don’t want to be sick again.” I press a hand to my stomach and cover my mouth.

“I have a plan.”

I look at him and realize why it’s just the two of us in this room.

“You want to use me as bait?”

“Yeah. I’ll have the guys back off a bit, and when that fucker comes onto the compound, he’s ours.”

I hesitate. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea right now.” I want to do it, but I won’t risk my baby. “I’m pregnant.”

“Fuck. Never mind. Brody would kill me. Okay, let me let the others in, and we’ll come up with something.”

I lean against the counter as he fiddles with some buttons. I hear an ominous click, and the door opens, letting the others step inside. Niall walks over to me, then glances back at the door.

“Get a chair for her.”

Breeze runs out and returns with a chair. He sets it down as the door clicks shut and the buzzing starts up once more. Lex tells everyone everything he just told me, including his idea to use me as bait. He makes it clear he won’t go through with that plan.

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