Page 6 of A Temptation Too Great

My father pulls out his wallet and flashes his badge. “I am the police, arsehole. Now back off.”

Security steps back, and just like that, I’m being thrown to the wolves as usual.

“Da, please just don’t get involved and, for once, support me.”

“But you’re lying. Your brother told me he witnessed Tiernan manhandling and pushing you.”

“No, Brody didn’t. Eoin did it. I have proof.”

“Who? One of Tiernan’s men doctoring up footage?”

“No, my security camera. Now, if you’re not here to check on my injuries, then leave. I’m done discussing this.”

“Take it back, Moira,” he orders before turning and walking out.

I slump against the counter and lean down, taking deep, calming breaths.

I’m never going to be able to do this on my own.

Brody

* * *

Storming into my brother’s house, I stomp straight to the kitchen where I know Fiona will be.

“How long has he been abusing her?” I bark.

My brother jumps up and is in my face. “Don’t ever speak to my wife like that again.” He shoves me.

“I think her whole life,” Fiona says quietly. “Stop, Aidan. I was wondering when he would figure it out. It’s my fault for not saying something sooner.”

“Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you turn them in? Why didn’t you do something about it?” I snap, moving past my brother as he turns toward his wife, who’s now crying. She’s been more emotional since she got pregnant.

“I tried, but she always denied it. She said it was from Taekwondo. Why do you think I didn’t argue when Mikayla offered to help me pay for the house? I knew I had to get her out of there. Her father is awful.” Fiona cries into Aidan’s chest.

I step back, my brows rising. “Her father is abusing her too? I thought it was just her brother.” I pull out a chair and sit, stunned.

“What?” Fiona asks, confused. “I thought it was her father. It was her brother? I should’ve guessed. I stayed at their house before her mam passed, and he creeped me out. He walked in on me while I was showering. It was so weird.”

“I’ll kill the fucker,” Aidan growls.

“You’ll have to beat me to it. Fucker threw her to the ground, and she begged me not to do anything. But I know she pressed charges against him.”

“You stood there while he pushed her around?” Aidan releases his wife and looks at me in shock.

“No, I didn’t just stand there. She made me ride off. The peelers were on their way. He was going to have me arrested. She promised me she’d be safe with him.”

“She lied. If you’re right, her brother is the one who has been abusing her all her life,” Fiona says.

“She told you?”

“No. She never said a word, but like I said, I suspected. I did everything I could. That’s why I wasn’t surprised when her father wouldn’t pay for college.”

“He’s a fecking wanker for choosing his son over her.”

“I’m sorry, Brody,” my brother says. “Take care of her, no matter what. She deserves to see that carrying a badge doesn’t mean you get to do whatever you want, and that not all of us are bad. At least we don’t beat our woman.” He smacks Fiona’s arse. “Well, not unless they like it.” He chuckles.

“That’s not funny, arsehole.” I stand and walk out the back door toward my house next door.

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