Page 12 of A Temptation Too Great (Knights of Purgatory Syndicate #3)

Chapter Eight

Moira

I ’m still in shock they hired me on the spot, and even more surprised when they told me there’s a flat on the premises I can stay in.

The entire building where the practice is located is owned by a silent company, and they keep several condos open above the office.

They also gave me a signing bonus to purchase a more professional attire.

I don’t know whether to be offended or excited that I get to spend the money. I hate shopping, but they took care of that too. They passed my sizes along to a woman, who then called a personal shopper for me.

I think back to the interview I had a few weeks ago with the local police station for a dispatcher position.

They told me I wasn’t qualified or hirable.

I suspect my brother said something to the interviewer, since they mentioned being friends with Eoin.

This interview was completely different.

They reviewed my CV and asked questions about my school schedule.

Both the human resources representative and the investigator seemed surprised that I’ve stayed with the hotel as long as I have while keeping a high GPA at the university.

A small part of me wonders if I’m dreaming, and I pinch myself to prove I’m not.

“Ow,” I whisper, and Saoirse glances over at me.

She’s the personal assistant to the building’s owner, who seems to have taken me under his wing.

“Are you okay?”

“I am.”

Riding the private elevator up to the secure floor, I’m excited to see where I’ll be staying.

When they told me it was a three-bedroom, I asked if a couple of friends could stay with me.

Saoirse said she’d speak to the owner and get back to me.

After lunch, I found out she doesn’t work for the law firm but for the owner of the building.

I feel like I have a fairy godfather or something.

He’s instructed her to make my life as easy as possible.

I have a car service to take me wherever I need to go, and now all the clothes too.

Saoirse gave me a new phone as part of my job and told me to give the number only to those I trust. That means my father and brother won’t have it.

I text all the girls to let them know this is my new number.

Saoirse shows me around the condo, and I’m floored by the furnishings and opulence of it all.

It’s two stories. I’m shocked they’re giving me this much space.

When she leads me upstairs to the master bedroom, I step inside and look at the closet in shock.

It’s lined with clothes. My things from the house were already moved in.

I look around, feeling a bit off balance and scared.

I’ve never been alone like this. I’ve always had Fiona or the other girls.

Both my mobiles ring, the new one in my hand and the old one in my purse. Dread curls in my stomach as I retrieve the old phone. I glance down and relax when I see Fiona’s name on the screen.

“Get to the hospital, now! Giselle’s been attacked,” she cries into the phone.

I then answer the other in shock. “Ari, I just heard. I’m on my way.”

“Hurry. It’s bad. When you get here, tell admissions to page me, and I’ll come give you an update. I started to help, but they made me stop because I know her. Please hurry. I don’t know if she’s going to make it this time.”

“Okay.” Tears are already rolling down my face as I take the elevator down and climb into the waiting car. I didn’t even say a word to Saoirse, but she got everything lined up.

When the car stops outside the ER, Niall is waiting for me.

I haven’t even had a chance to call him and thank him properly.

I only sent him a quick text earlier. The law firm’s investigator I’ll be working for had a file he wanted me to review.

It’s on my mam’s murder. He said it should be my first order of business.

When I asked why the practice was investigating it, he explained that sometimes they take on cold cases to see if the police missed anything.

“Have you heard anything?” I ask him as he pulls me into his arms.

“No. Brody is already inside,” he says, and I nod.

When we step through the doors, my eyes find him right away. I expected anger, but instead, relief washes over his face as he strides toward me on those long legs of his. He pulls me close and holds me as I cry. With our hands linked, we move to the counter, and the girls join us.

“Arianna O’Brien told me to come to the counter. We’re here for Giselle Bell.” I shake my head. “I mean O’Connor. She just got married yesterday.” Brody squeezes my hand.

“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.

I’m starting to realize how much they mean to me too.