10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Moira

T hank goodness my patient that delivered early is doing better. She is responding well to the fluids and antibiotics; the swelling has even dissipated slightly. Her bairn is showing a little bit more hope as well. But what that means is that my mind is all over the place. And instead of bothering Declan with the drama, I decide to give Stephanie a call. She's able to meet up with me for lunch at our usual spot.

The first thing she says is that she wants to see the letter for herself, so I hand it to her. After skimming through it, she sits back, puffs out her cheeks, and exhales. “How do you feel about this?” She asks in her ‘level with me’ tone.

“Confused. Torn. If I don't go see him, I may regret it for the rest of my life. But if I do, I also stand to regret it for the rest of my life. In some ways, my da has been dead to me for a long time. But in other ways—”

She cuts me off. “No, Moira. In no ways. It would be no different if somebody offed him while he was in prison. If he died of a heart attack and didn't have a chance to say goodbye? Same thing. He’ll be gone, and you have no reason to beat yourself up about it. It happens all the time.” Her hand goes to her chest. “I don’t mean to sound insensitive, after all, I know that this is your da, but you have to remember that he’s the reason why you left Scotland. He couldn’t keep his tentacles off you, and as far as I’m concerned, this is no different.”

“But, what if he dies alone, Steph?”

She looks me square in the eyes, lowers her voice, and says. “Then he dies alone. He gets his just desserts. This is a man that has done unmentionable things to innocent people, and that includes you, Moira. He would stop at nothing to throw you under the bus or take his place in jail, if it meant more money in his pockets. This man is a liar, a thief, and a murderer. And as far as I’m concerned, all he ever wanted, since your granddad died, was the money. And I think you know that, too. Don’t let this letter sway you, Moira. You’re far too smart.”

I stare at it for a moment. “If he dies, I’m free.”

Steph’s gaze is still on me. “In more ways than one, Moira. Maybe you can actually start to enjoy your money and your life, and stop worrying about looking over your shoulder, living under a rock.”

“Don’t exaggerate.”

Steph’s brows lift. “You think I’m exaggerating? Tell me how much of your granddad’s money you’ve actually enjoyed? And how much of a low profile you’ve been living since you moved here?”

“That’s not fair and you know it. I’m a doctor, Steph.”

“My love, I run a multi-billion-dollar business, and I have way more of a social life than you do.”

“So, I'm antisocial. What’s wrong with that?”

“Plenty, when you’re about to sacrifice the most important relationship you’ve ever had.”

I fold my arms across my chest. “And how am I sacrificing it?”

She sidesteps the question. “If you go to Scotland and see your da, you know what’s going to happen?”

My voice is flat, unimpressed. “What.”

“You have gone months, years, unless you’ve been lying to me, without any contact with your da. The last time he saw you he begged you to testify so he could be freed to continue with his...lifestyle. The only reason why you got the hell out of there is because you grew a pair for once in your life and made a choice to go to school and do something with your granddad’s money. If it weren’t for that, you’d still be doing your da’s bidding, and an innocent man would be behind bars, while your da walked free.”

“Are you saying that I’ll change my mind? That I’ll go back to him? Do you honestly think that I’d give up everything that I’ve worked hard for just to please him after all these years?”

Her face is calm yet indignant. “Will you?”

“Well of course not. Don’t be daft.”

“You say that now, Moira. But I know you. I don’t forget that I had to fight with you, tooth and nail, to move away from that toxic relationship. Plus, you haven’t seen him in years. I’m afraid you’ll crumble like a stale biscuit.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Steph.” I scoff, thinking that this is just about the most insulting conversation I’ve ever had with her. And what’s worse is that deep down I know that she’s right. I’ll never admit to it though.

She touches my arm. “You know I love you like a sister, Moira. I’m only telling you this because I care, and I don’t want to see you throw it all away again, just because your da is dying. Like you said, he’s been dead to you already for a long time.”

I look at her. She’s right. But it’s a hell of a difference between a person hypothetically being dead to you, and distancing yourself from them by choice, and them actually being permanently gone from your life. I’m a doctor, and I’ve seen grief through my patients, and in my own experiences, when my granddad died. Part of me can’t help but worry that I’ll regret it for the rest of my life if I don’t go, but another part of me is worried that I’ll regret it for the rest of my life if I do. I’m damned if I do and I’m damned if I don’t. But as much as I love Steph and I know that she means well, this decision is mine and mine alone.

...let’s just hope that I make the right one.

Declan

I get a call from Connor, asking for me to meet him in his office, so I trot over, wondering how the hell he works so fast. It’s only been a day since I asked him to dig into James McTavish’s medical status. But there’s a reason why we keep this lad on the payroll, and this is it. He works fast, he’s damn good, and he’s never led us into troubled waters. His team is the best, as far as I’m concerned, and I get it why da was so pissed at Maverick for leaning on someone not up to snuff for such a sensitive project.

His door is open when I arrive. It’s no mistake that Connor’s office is only steps away from da’s office. They often collaborate on many things, and for that reason, Connor’s office is just as classy as the rest of ours. He deserves it and he needs it to get the job done right the first time. “Declan, come on in. Close the door.” He states, sitting back in his desk chair. His face is set in the usual ‘no bullshit here’ stance. His office is pristinely clean and tidy, with no papers or nick nacks hanging about anywhere. Save for a couple of books on his bookshelf, Connor’s space is about as organized as a highly paid government worker.

“What have you got, Connor.” I say as I sit down in the guest chair.

He grunts and clears his throat. “Well, you’re not going to like it, lad.”

“Lay it on me.” I tell him, sitting back, interlacing my fingers together.

He exhales and clears his throat. “James McTavish is no sicker than I am. His medical records don’t even show him as seeing a doctor of any type since his last medical a year ago, and that was mandatory for some bullshit license he has. The man is a fraud.”

I stare over at the window, thinking about what my next step should be. I don’t want to crush Moira, but I also don’t want her to get sucked into his life again. “What’s the status on his case?”

“You want the truth, it’s a fucking mess, Declan. He’s being held in custody for a battery of charges, including murder, but because he’s as broke as shit, his lawyer has been appointed, and clearly dragging his fucking heels. It’s clear why he’s reached out to Moira with this ass-hat lie...the man is desperate. From the look of it, he’s going to rot in jail, anyway, so he might as well be dead.”

“Fuck.” I mutter under my breath. “And she says that her testimony will free him, which is why she isn’t going to testify against this former assistant of her da’s. Makes more sense why he’d try to pull another fast one.”

“Exactly. The lass was brilliant moving out here to the states, but the son of a bitch still found her. I’m just surprised that he’s waited this long. Do you know how many charges are against him? The guy is a career criminal. It’s no mystery why she’d drop him like a bad rash. The lass is a respectable doctor. She wouldn’t want to get mixed up with him again.”

“I’ll see to it that she doesn’t.”

“How are you gonna do that, mate? Without having her deflect her disappointment and disapproval of her da onto you?”

“I don’t know, but it’s better than having her get involved with that sack of shit again.”

“You think she’ll be daft enough to let him pull the wool over her eyes again, Declan?”

“I’m not willing to find out.”

I’m about to rise, when he stops me. “Declan, sit down, man. Hear me out.” He’s got his straight up, ‘level with me’ tone in his voice, which means to pay attention. I sit my ass back down, wondering what else he can tell me to ruin my day, but then I hear a knock at the door, and we both look at each other, knowing full well that that’s da’s knock. “Come in, Dougall.” Connor calls, before he gets the chance to say what’s on his mind.

“Ah, Declan.” He says, with a semi-warm look on his face. Da walks in and closes the door, but he doesn’t take a seat. Instead, he just looks at Connor, and I realize that da already knows what I just found out.

“Da, before you say anything, I want to warn Moira.”

Da raises a hand. “Declan, you go to that lass and tell her her da is as honest as the fucking devil and it’s over. Now, I want you to take the jet, bring her to Scotland to see her da, and let her learn it for herself. She’s a smart lass, Declan. And you breaking her heart is way worse than her da doing it. You’ve heard the story, and you know damn well that he’s done it before. He’ll do it again in a heartbeat.”

My teeth grit together as I think about it. “And what if she finds out what I already knew, hm? Don’t you think that’s a betrayal she’ll not be willing to overlook again? Thanks to Maverick, we’ve already nosed through her personal life once before, da. She’ll never fucking trust me again.”

“Don’t be a fool, Declan.” Da tuts. “You’re not feeding her to the lions, son. She knows that you’re here to protect her.”

“Then why should I bring her to the son of a bitch, anyway? Why wouldn’t I just warn her myself? Save her the heartbreak of seeing the bastard again, only to find out that he’s still a lying sack of shit?”

Da tilts his head, but he’s not relenting. “If she’s willing to go see him, Declan, then she hasn’t learned her lesson. In this family, you betray once, it’s over forever, no matter what. She keeps letting herself fall victim to him, she’ll always be a victim, Declan.”

“But she’s not part of our family, goddammit!” I shout. “Jesus, da! It’s not my place to do this to her! I can’t let her set foot in that prison, knowing full well that she doesn’t need to be there! That this asshole is trying to take her for all that she is! All that she’s worked hard for! And...since when do you care so goddamn much, da! Don’t we have enough bullshit in our lives?! Why do we have to branch out to Moira’s family, too!” I’m pacing next to him, back and forth, as he watches me. The son of a bitch knows exactly what I’m going to say as I say it. I can tell by his unimpressed, impassive expression. And he’s going to say less than ten words to put me in my fucking place. I just know it. I look at da and wait.

He swallows, looks down at the glossy, polished floor, and says pointedly. “Why do you care so much, Declan.” It’s not a question. He’s being rhetorical. He knows damn well why I care so much, and he’s letting me know, because apparently, until now, I didn’t know. I love Moira. I love her so fucking much it hurts. It hurts knowing that she’s about to be crushed, once again, by someone who is supposed to love her unconditionally. Someone who should love her unconditionally, because she deserves it. Moira is a wonderful woman. Smart, beautiful, caring, funny, and best of all, she doesn’t give a damn about money. Not hers. Not mine. Not anyone’s.

Da doesn’t let me respond, for I don’t have a response, because he’s right.

“Now, you go and get that lass, and take her to see her scum-sucking da. Hold her hand, kiss her a lot, let her know that you are there for her, son. Because when the chips fall, you will be her rock, and she’ll thank you for it. It might not be now, it might not be tomorrow, but once that hurt goes away, she’ll see the light, lad.” I swallow, knowing full well that da never says anything unless he means it, and has thought it through. I nod, jaw muscles working. He ends with. “You send me a message when you’re ready to take her, son. I’ll have the jet at the ready.”

“Thank you, da.” I say with another nod. I nod at Connor as well, who salutes me.

“Good luck, Declan.”

I walk out of there, thinking how much da has changed recently. Once a stone-cold man, seemingly heartless, he’s turned into a man with more palatable balance. Business is still a top priority, but as of late, it isn’t the only priority. Knowing what I know, I walk out of the office, with a clear conscience, because what I’m doing, I’m doing out of love. No hidden agenda. And while I know that my day is full of meetings, I send Moira a text message. It simply says that whatever choice she makes, I have our company jet ready, should she decide to see her da. Anytime she wishes.

It takes a while for a response, and I'm in a meeting when it comes, but ultimately, she has decided to go see him. Despite my conscience, my jaw muscles still set, and I can’t help the firm scowl that forms on my face at the thought of looking that son of a bitch in the eye, knowing full well that he’s hurting my girl. But it helps that I’m one step ahead of him. It also helps knowing that Moira is no fool, either. Frankly, I’m just here to protect her and corroborate my initial suspicions, knowing that I’ve already had a full investigation done on him.

She’ll see the light. She’s seen it before.

Another meeting with the Ford brothers turns into an off-site mission, exploring yet another parcel of land, and some equipment investments, but during said meeting, when Dalton Ford takes a personal call, and we’re left for two minutes, da murmurs to me. “We’re looking into the son of a bitch that posted that video, too, by the way.”

“Good. I figure that’s how James McTavish found Moira.”

“Exactly. Connor was on that quickly, and we’re drawing up paperwork with the lawyers. Those assholes don’t like it when you threaten them, and they dance around so much it makes my head spin. I don’t have time for that bullshit, frankly, so we’re shutting them down directly.”

I nod. That’s when my phone beeps with a text message that I don’t expect...