Page 171 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“And you can’t tell me who they are?”

“Nope. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”

“Can you at least tell me where they’re meeting?”

“The Palace.”

My tiredness evaporates, and I immediately lift my head.

“Shite.”

CHAPTERSIXTY-EIGHT

JAINE

Private Dining Room, Palace Hotel, Manhattan

This place is drippingwith money.

Old money. New money. Legal money. Illegal money.

I’m not poor by any means. In fact, I’m probably wealthier than most of the clientele who frequent this establishment. But it’s way too rich for my biker blood. It’s one of those flashy places that pretentious people wine and dine each other in so they can flaunt whatever they’ve come here to flaunt while talking about themselves and talking over each other. It’s no wonder Eoin wanted me to meet him and his folks here.

It's right up his self-absorbed street.

What’s also clear is that this place is discrete. There’s no waiting staff hanging around. You have to call for them if you need them. Money will buy everything and anything here, including silence. You could probably get away with murder within these four walls. That’s if you were willing to toss enough Benjamin Franklins into the mix to make it worth their while cleaning up the mess and keeping schtum.

I glance at the gold, cream, and crystal décor before placing my small bag on the gilded table that’s been set at my side. It's a bit extreme, but I guess they have to make you feel like you’re getting enough bang for your buck. Anything on the menu in this place will be three figures minimum.

Anything off it will be way more.

I lean back in my chair as I wait for Leo and his associate. Even though it’s a fleeting visit, it still feels good to be back in Manhattan.

I’ve missed it. The city that forms part of who I am. The city that birthed The Exterminator and raised the sniper in its concrete arms. My phone vibrates, and I smile at the message.

Ace:Have I told you lately that I love you?

Jaine:Have I told you there’s no one else above you?

Ace:Maybe we can have it as our second song.

Jaine:What? So, I’m being promoted? I’m no longer a creep or a weirdo?

Ace:You’ll always be my creep and my weirdo, same as you all always be my plain Jaine Jones.

Jaine:And you’ll always be my beautiful poker-cheating Jason Steele. I love you too, Ace.

Ace:Does it feel good being back in Manhattan?

Jaine:It does. I want to share this city with you one day, Ace. I want you to see it for yourself. I want you to feel it in your soul like I do.

Ace:I’m a small-town boy, PJ. I always will be. You know that.

Jaine:I know.

Ace:But maybe next time I’ll come withyou. See those big city lights for myself. See what makes the other side of my wife tick.

Tears prick my eyes. I know he’d be quite happy never to set foot in New York. It’s just another selfless thing he’s offering to do because he knows it will make me happy. I can’t even visualize Ace here. When I think of him, all I see is Rising.

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