Page 118 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

Padraig:I’ve missed you too.

Jaine:Moving forward, no more talk of the past. Can we agree on that? There’s nothing there for any of us anymore. And we can’t change what’s happened. We can only move forward and try to heal. Focus on the future.

I know she’s been in a bad place. Sarah mentioned she’d suffered badly from pre-natal depression, and that’s partially why she had to distance herself from everyone and everything.

Even me.

Jaine:I’ll be back in Manhattan soon. When I return, Irish is the first person I’m going to go see.

Padraig:You mean that, darlin’?

Jaine:Yes. It’s time, Dyl.

Padraig:And what about my other brother?

Jaine:Has Cillian been missing me?

Padraig:You’re hilarious.

Jaine:I’ll call Eoin in the next day or so.

Padraig:And can I also ask… are you available for ALL duties moving forward?

Jaine:After nearly two years, most of which I’ve spent pregnant, my life is once more my own. So, yes. ALL services have now been resumed.

Padraig:It’s good to have you back on board, Robin.

Jaine:Why, thank you, Batman. Because from this day forth, Jaine Jones is back in the goddamn building. And let me tell you, she means business.

Whiskey? Who needs whiskey when you have Jaine Jones in your life?

CHAPTERFIFTY

JESSIE

The Ghost Whisperers’ Clubhouse, Colton, Nevada

“Why don’tyou give the man a chance to speak, Daddy?”

I glare at my father. Ty’s right. He doesn’t listen, and neither does my brother. I can understand now why they need Ace’s calming influence to mediate and diffuse these tense situations. I blame the Irish blood coursing through my family’s veins. And I’ve dealt with enough of that recently to last me a lifetime. I watch as Ty and my daddy scowl at each other across the desk.

“Now, I suggest we all stop and count to ten because if we don’t, we’re going to go around in yet another circle, and I’m not keen on circles. They make you dizzy, and they’re also misleading. They make you think you’re getting somewhere when you’re not.”

There’s a pause. We’re in Ty’s office. Another armchair’s been dragged in for Tadgh. You know, because he’s a man and has a penis. Meanwhile, little old Jessie, who only has a pussy to play with, has been relegated to a wooden stool.

Still, at least they’re listening because they know I’m right. But is there a cat in hell’s chance any of them will admit that out loud? Nope. A biker praising a woman for having any shred of intelligence or common sense. Are you insane?

“Okay. Now, Tyler. Please continue.”

“As I was saying, the Whisperers will take on the areas the other MCs don’t currently cover. Even though the costs will be higher, we’ll agree to do it for the same percentage as everyone else and for a minimum of six months.”

My daddy looks like he’s about to interrupt once more, and I hold my hand up. I’ve had just about enough of him. He frowns at me but keeps that troublesome mouth of his closed. Now I know exactly where I get it from.

I motion my head at Ty to continue.

“If we agree things aren’t working out after six months, then we take our cut for the duration we’ve fulfilled our end of the bargain, and we each go our separate ways. If things are working out, then we continue for another six months before renegotiating the percentage. I can’t say fairer than that.”

I motion my head at my daddy to tell him that the floor is now his.

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