Page 16 of A Temptation Too Great (Knights of Purgatory Syndicate #3)
“I’m heading out. I have an email for you to backtrace. Sir threatened Moira. She also confirmed her brother might be in bed with him.”
“Fucking hell. Your father has an SUV waiting for you. The police and young Kelly are demanding to see Moira. Two of your father’s men were arrested on suspicion of attacking Moira. There’s also chatter that a high-ranking police official was murdered, and the Knights are suspects.”
“Feck,” I yell and lift Moira into my arms so I can move faster.
When we reach the main floor, I look around.
“Carson, Breeze, you’re with me.” They both nod, and we head outside to where my father is waiting. Carson, my VP, jumps on his motorcycle, and Breeze, my Sergeant-at-Arms, gets on his. They both bring up the rear as we take off toward the compound.
“What is going on, Brody?” Moira demands after I buckle her in and let my hand linger a moment too long on her belly.
“Another wee one is coming.” Da smiles at me.
“Yes,” I answer before turning back to Moira. “The two guards who rescued you were arrested for your attack. Your brother is searching for you, and it seems he may have planted evidence to frame one of my men for killing a police officer.”
“What? That’s crazy.” She shakes her head.
Her other phone rings from her pocket. She pulls it out and answers.
“Kit, how can I help you?” she asks. I hear him talking on the other end, then she says, “I’m sure I want to speak to one Nigel Wigner.”
The name hits me, and I realize I haven’t told her everything.
Reaching across the seat, I pull the phone from her ear. Kit is going on about how finding an old criminal could be hard, but he agrees Nigel is a good candidate.
“Hey, Kit, this is Brody. Mr. Wigner invoked his right to remain silent. He won’t be speaking to anyone. Sorry to cut this short, but I need to speak to Moira right now.” I hang up her phone. I want to pull her onto my lap for this conversation, but I can’t.
“Brody, how dare you do that. How do you know Mr. Wigner?”
I turn to look at her and lean in closer. “Spitfire, don’t get worked up, but I got a confession from Mr. Wigner earlier tonight. He did kill your mam.” I pause, watching the shock cross her face. Then, just as quickly, she calms, like some part of her already knew he was the killer.
It’s the next part I’m worried will upset her.
“He told me who hired him and gave me everything. But there’s so much more, and I don’t have a lot of time because I think I know what your brother’s end game is.”
“What? How?” she asks.
I explain to her how her brother hired Mr. Wigner to kill her mam, and that there’s something more going on that I’m having Lex investigate. She doesn’t seem shocked. It’s my father who finally asks the important question.
“What is his end game?”
I keep my eyes on my girl. “Moira, I think your brother has a twisted obsession with you. I believe he’s going to come after you.” I take her hand in mine. “I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re protected and safe.”
She shakes her head. “No, Brody. You can’t make that promise, because I’m not going to let you ship me off if you fail. This is us, fighting together.”
I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Moira, I’m not like Shane. I’ll never send you away.” I pause, then add, “Well, maybe to Da’s for a bit. But you and our baby are staying with me.”
“Together,” she says, and I nod.
“Together.”
We pull up to our house, and Da comes in with my men. I call Aidan, who heads over with Fiona so we can start working on a plan. But before we get too far, the gate guard calls in.
“Mr. Tiernan, there are several police cruisers out here with warrants.”
I look at Aidan and my da, unsure what’s going on. We can’t fight this without risking more trouble. Da’s men are still in custody, and the solicitors are trying to get them released. Maybe this is to question Moira, but the mention of warrants makes me doubt that.
“I’m calling our solicitor,” Aidan says as my phone beeps.
“Let them in,” I tell the gate guard, and answer the second call. “What’s up, Lex?”
“I need to talk to Moira. I’m on my way to you now.”
“Okay.” I hang up and head out of my home office to the family room where the girls are playing with Lorcan. “Moira, Lex is on his way. He needs to talk to you.”
“Is everything okay?” I see the worry on her face, and I don’t want to scare her. The hair on the back of my neck is rising—things just feel off. I decide to change the subject.
“Did you get some food? You need to eat.”
Fiona and Aidan found out about the baby as soon as they arrived because I was stressing about her eating and slipped up. Moira said she wanted to wait to tell everyone, but I’m done waiting.
Pounding on the door makes me turn, and the unease in my gut intensifies. I glance at Carson and Breeze. “Don’t leave her side. No matter what.”
“Wait.” Moira jumps up, but I nod at my da, who holds her in his arms.
I open the door and find an army of peelers in full gear waiting. They expect a fight. They want one, even. But I’m not giving them the satisfaction.
“Mr. Brody Tiernan, you are under arrest for the murder of Captain Barry Kelly, and for multiple counts of murder tied to the street walkers you’ve been killing over the last several years.”
“I want my solicitor present,” I say firmly.
“No! He didn’t do any of it.” Moira breaks free from my da’s hold and rushes to my side. “My father isn’t dead. I haven’t been notified.”
Aidan steps forward just as the peelers turn me around and cuff me.
I face Moira. “Baby, be careful. I love you. Protect yourselves.”
I’m ushered out the door and shoved into the back of a car. Moira is breaking down in Aidan’s and my da’s arms as she’s told her father was found dead several hours ago.
I don’t have an alibi for the time before Moira arrived at the club. Well, not one I can give them. I was committing murder, just not the one they think.
This is how he’s going to get to Moira.
She won’t have me here to protect her. I just hope my men keep their word and don’t leave her side.