Page 125 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

She shakes her head. “When it’s successful, I will let you know.”

I smile and nod at her use of the word ‘when’ and not ‘if’.

“Don’t worry.” She glances at Molly. “Iwill never let Jaine Jones win.” She looks determined. I have every confidence she will succeed. At least one of them is on the right path.

Once our Paddy has taken that purity of Sophia’s, he’ll be lost to that biker woman forever.

CHAPTERFIFTY-THREE

JAINE

Jaine’s House, Rising, California

“I’m sorry.”

I’m sat in the same spot I was last time we spoke, but this time I’m not pregnant.

There’s no immediate response, which I can fully understand. I’ve been unbearable for months. Reactive. Argumentative. A complete and utter bitch.

Ace assures me my mood swings have been the stuff of nightmares. I guess I just have to take his word for that.

With Eoin, I wouldn’t usually give a damn, but with the Duster big bang looming, I thought I’d best attempt to mend bridges in advance. He is Finian’s uncle, after all. Whether I like it or not.

“For?”

“For being difficult to deal with.”

He laughs aloud. It’s a rare sound, and I find myself chuckling along, as much as I try not to.

“Difficult to deal with? That’s something of an understatement, Jaine.”

“Turns out I had pre-natal depression, and I didn’t realize. Everyone bore the brunt of it. Well, men in the main given it was a dick that got me in that situation in the first place.”

“You mean it wasn’t the immaculate conception?”

I laugh. “Nope, and little JJ is not Christ reborn either, although he's an absolute angel compared to his big brother at the same age.”

“Apology accepted.”

“Thank you. Bear in mind it only relates to my short temper over the last few months. I apologize for nothing else.”

“It’s good to know you still hate me. No, wait. You don’t hate me….” I can tell from his tone he’s being light-hearted. Who knows, maybe we can get along if we both try.

“Because it takes way too much effort. I’m surprised you remember.”

“You’re somewhat unforgettable, Jaine.”

There’s a pause. See, it’s comments like this from him that I’m never quite sure how to take.

“I’ll be back in Manhattan in three months, give or take. So, not too long now.”

“It will be good to see you.”

“I can’t say the same.”

“Charming as ever.”

“Nice to know I haven’t lost my touch, Mr. O’Connell.” There’s a smile in my voice, which I’m sure he can hear.

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