Page 123 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“Dylan.” He pauses and stares at me. It’s reminiscent of what they do on a quiz show before they tell you if you’ve won or not. “You can come with me.”

“When?” I immediately toss back.

“I need to clear my desk, so week after next?”

I nod my acceptance.

Jessie O’Brien, I’m coming to pay you a visit.

CHAPTERFIFTY-TWO

ROISIN

Private Dining Room, Palace Hotel, Manhattan

“So, ladies.”

I watch as they glance across the table at each other. It’s like pulling teeth. It’s clear neither wants to go first, which can only mean one thing. That neither has a positive update to share. But then I already knew that. Because unlike them, I do my homework.

“Molly?”

I raise an eyebrow at her when she still doesn’t respond. I had high hopes for this girl given her impressive background and track record, but they’re being dashed more and more with every silent second that passes.

“Would you care to update us, please?” I prompt.

On the outside, she looks contained. Only a trained eye would notice, on the inside, she’s ruffled. The problem is, when you operate at Ma Duster level, all enemy eyes observing you are trained. They miss nothing.

“There’s been no change.”

I nod. “And no philandering that you know about?” I take a sip of my Bloody Mary, knowing full well this question is a test.

“Not that I’m aware of, no.”

Since our last girlie chat, I’ve tasked my driver, Liam, with keeping a watchful eye over Eoin and evidence suggests he’s back to sleeping with his PA on a regular basis. But at her apartment now as he’s no longer able to do so in his office. I’m sure Molly will be only too aware she’s no longer got his undivided attention. Eoin’s not exactly being discrete about it. He’s also aware Liam’s tailing him. I’m surprised he doesn’t give him a wave on passing or stop to ask after his family.

Molly isn’t stupid. Molly’s a liar.

“That’s good to know.” I ignore the deceit for now. “And are there any signs of him asking to speak with your da privately?”

“I’m still working on that.”

“Then you need to work harder, Molly. At any moment Eoin may declare you unsuitable as the future Ma Duster, more so if the novelty has already worn off. He knows given the importance of the role his Da and I would need to take any concerns raised by him extremely seriously. You need to coerce him into speaking to your da by whatever means necessary, and in the meantime, play the role to perfection.”

“I’m trying my best, Roisin.”

“You need to try harder. Because Jaine Jones has had her baby and her return to New York is imminent.” My tone is clipped.

“I know she’s had the baby. I overheard her and Eoin on the phone. It was during their heated exchange that Jaine went into labor.”

My ears immediately prick up. Molly’s never mentioned any of this before. I need to make a mental note that as well as being prone to lying, she’s also an eavesdropper.

“You never said.”

“I didn’t think it relevant.”

“What were they arguing about?”

“Dylan’s engagement mostly.”

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