Page 24 of King of Temptation

“Fuck. One of ours?”

“No. I’ve done a little digging and he seems clean so far. And not very ambitious from what I can tell. He’s been a sergeant for a good while now and all signs indicate he’s happy there.”

“That’s something, at least. Last thing we need is some cop looking to make a name for himself all up in our business.”

“Agreed.”

“See what else you can find on him, and if need be, I’ll put Tiernan on him for a bit.”

“Done.”

Killian’s phone beeped and a wicked smile curved his lips as he glanced down at the screen. “My naughty little wife just returned home.”

Matching his cousin’s grin, Brody leaned back in his chair and waited. Sure enough, the office door flew open a few minutes later and Aria stepped inside.

But the bright smile she was wearing faded at the sight of Brody, who lifted his hand to waggle his fingers in greeting.

“Fuck.”

“Something the matter, princess?” There was a sharp edge to Killian’s voice, one that had left men bleeding at his feet by the time he was done with them.

His wife, on the other hand, only jerked her chin up, fire blazing in her eyes. “Clearly you’ve figured out already that I lied about Brody babysitting me today.”

“I have. Care to explain?”

“Not really.”

“Aria…”

Despite her defiant stance, color bloomed on Aria’s cheeks. “I had an errand to run and I didn’t want your narc all up in my private affairs.”

“Then you could have asked him for privacy instead of lying to my face.”

The pink in her face deepened as she cleared her throat. “You’re right. I’m sorry I lied.”

“You are certainly going to be by the time I’m finished with you. But before I address your dishonesty, is there anything you need to share with us about your conversation with Marigold Quinn?”

Eyes narrowing, Aria glared at Brody. “I knew you were a fucking tattletale.”

Brody raised a shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “Only doing my job, love.”

“Does your job include being a total dick to my friend? You haven’t even had the decency to text her today. What kind of Daddy are you?”

Guilt pricked at him, but he didn’t let it show. No need to give Aria any ammunition to take back to his little menace. “The kind who’s more worried about protecting her life than her feelings.”

“Right, because clearly as a woman she’s far too stupid to take care of herself.”

“Aria.” Killian’s tone was heavy with authority. “Enough.”

“No, it’s not enough. Not when he⁠—”

“Aria Grace.”

At the low growl of her husband’s voice, Aria snapped her lips together, though her eyes continued to hurl daggers at Brody.

Rising from his chair, Brody laid his hands on her shoulders, meeting her furious gaze. “I don’t blame you for being pissed at me. But I have my reasons, and I can promise you they have nothing to do with seeing women as weak or stupid. How could I possibly think that when I have you and Reagan for cousins?”

As he’d hoped, her expression softened considerably. “Fine. But at least text her and check in on her, would you?”