Page 4 of A Temptation Too Great

“You want to talk about filth? How about the so-called lawful who are dirtier than the criminals they chase? What about the fact that you’re the lead investigator on a serial killer hunting in our area, and you still don’t have a fecking clue who it is?”

Sex workers and dancers have gone missing, only to be found later, cut up in pieces. We knew it wasn’t the same guy from last year. Seamus took care of him and sent him to hell where he belonged. But this new predator showed up not long after. He doesn’t have the precision of the Date Night Killer. This one is wild, uncontrolled, vicious.

“Brody.” She gasps.

“Moira, get in the house. Now. I’m arresting this man.”

“For what?” She pushes back against me. I look down at her, stunned, unsure if she even knows what she’s doing or how she’s trying to protect me. “There’s no reason to arrest him.”

“I heard you tell him to stop following you. That’s stalking.”

“No. You said it wasn’t a crime when Fiona had a stalker because intent couldn’t be proven. Besides, I haven’t filed a complaint.” She wraps her arms back, shielding me even more. I place one hand on her hip and keep the other loose, ready to move her fast if I have to protect us both.

He spits and sputters for a moment, upset she threw his words back at him. When he advances on us, I’m ready to push her out of the way. This arsehole is willing to fight me with her in the middle, putting his own sister in danger.

She holds up a hand to stop him. “Don’t make me fight you. You’d have to take me in instead. I’m not going to let you do something stupid that could get you in trouble.”

He stops staring me down and looks at her. That glint in his eyes is sick and twisted. His gaze slides over her body in a way that isn’t right. I can’t stop the grumble rising in my throat. It’s almost a growl.

“Eoin, just leave. I’m okay.” She tries again.

“I won’t leave until he does. He’s the criminal.”

I want to tell him to look in the mirror, but instead I step back and pull her with me, ready to get her away from him.

She twists around and looks up at me. “Brody, just go. I’m okay. He’s my brother, and he’s just worried about me.”

I meet his gaze as he eyes us both, his stare lingering on parts of her no brother should see. I cup her arse, showing him who it belongs to.

She places her hand on my cheek and pulls my face to hers. “Please, Brody.”

I lean down, keeping my eye on him as I whisper in her ear, “Moira, don’t make me leave. I don’t trust him.” I’m practically begging.

“Please,” she says, her voice low and urgent. “I swear.” She pauses, and I look her in the eye. But she isn’t looking at me. Her gaze is fixed on something over my shoulder. “He won’t hurt me.”

She’s lying, and I know it.

“No.” I stand firm and turn to face him. “I’m free to spend time with my girlfriend. You leave.” I nod at him.

Eoin grinds his teeth, his jaw tightening. I struck a nerve calling Moira my girlfriend. He moves toward us again, and once more I counter by stepping back.

She turns her head to watch him.

“Eoin, please just leave.”

“No,” he says, holding his ground. “I’m calling for backup.” He reaches into his pocket.

Aidan is going to be pissed that I’m being hauled in, but I don’t care. I’m not leaving my girl with this arsehole.

But then Moira doubles down. I see the tears in her eyes when she looks up at me.

“Please, Brody. Please. I’ll call you later. Just leave. I work tonight,” she whispers.

As soon as the first tear drops, I’m stuck. I want to protect her, but she’s insisting she’ll be safe with him. If I want to prove to her that I trust her and believe she’s capable of handling herself, I have to give in occasionally.

It goes against everything in me, but I drop my hands from her body before leaning down to kiss her forehead softly. “If he hurts you, I’ll kill him,” I whisper, low enough than only she can hear.

I step back and move to my bike, never turning my back on him. I hear sirens approaching. I don’t need to bring any more attention to the organization. Lex getting shot, the explosion at the office, and the destruction of the clubhouse were bad enough. We’re under a microscope now.

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