Page 172 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

All I see is home.

Jaine:I’d like that, Ace.

Ace:You paused. Have you gotten emotional?

Jaine:Story of my life these days.

Ace:You’re starting to sound like Jessie. Speaking of the O’Briens, I should go. I’m holding up my poker game with Lucifer.

Jaine:Don’t go removing those Aces from the pack now.

I snicker to myself as my memories take me back to that day. The day he earned his road name.

Ace:I won’t. I love you, PJ.

Jaine:I love you too, Ace. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Ace:I’ll be waiting right here, sweetheart.

Switching off my phone, I place it back in my bag.

* * *

“So,let me get this straight. The Ruoccos are parting company with the Sicilian mafia?”

We’re speaking in Italian. It’s safer that way and just as easy. I take in Leo as I wait for him to respond. He hasn’t changed much in all the years we’ve worked together. A few more lines. A few grey hairs.

Still handsome. Still intelligent. Still charming.

And having done a comprehensive check on him only yesterday, something I’ve no doubt he’s fully aware of, he’s still quite the ladies’ man. That’s if the images captured of his recent movements are anything to go by.

It will definitely take a special sort of female to tame this bad boy and capture that Sicilian heart of his, that’s for sure.

Piercing blue eyes sparkle against olive skin. His black hair is longer these days, and he’s taken to wearing it tied back at the nape of his neck. I’m not sure I like it in that style as it’s reminiscent of how Luciano wears his.

“Yes. But that is not common knowledge, so it goes no further than this room, please. It’s also not something Gio and I can discuss with you in any great level of detail. At least, not yet. You understand, I’m sure, that our hands are tied for now. When it is announced to the outside world, their departure will be explained as being a mutual decision.”

“But it’s not?”

“Not exactly.”

“And you can’t tell me why?”

“Not yet.”

“Okay. Well, I’m only willing to discuss this further, Leo, as you and I have known each other a long time.”

“I appreciate that, Jaine.”

“So, what do you want from me? You’re already a private client. And why the need for me to come to New York when I’m due to return in a couple of months? Couldn’t it have waited?” I raise an eyebrow at him

Leo makes eye contact with Gio, which causes me to also glance at him. Giovanni Antico. Today’s the first time I’ve met him. He’s Leoluca’s trusted right-hand man and has been for several years. Having run a search on him, he’s clean, but I now know he’s older than Leo. Forty-five to his thirty-six. That he’s married to Isabella. And they have twin boys aged sixteen.

“I will be taking over the role of Don, Jaine. But, again, this is not something that is common knowledge at this time.”

“So, Luciano and Sophia don’t know?”

“It has not been formally announced although they suspect it is on the cards. That is the reason I wanted to explain all of this face to face. Due to the confidentiality of the situation.”

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