Page 35 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

She’ll be here on a trial basis for sure. Given the importance of the role in question, this won’t be a done deal. She’ll be put through her Duster paces before being crowned big bad Ma, and likely by the reigning matriarch herself.

Molly sits to the right-hand side of Eoin. I switch my attention back to him briefly and she tracks my gaze, then glances at him possessively. They’re fucking. I can always tell. Not that it’s any of my business, but that sure didn’t take long. She’s only been stateside for five minutes. I suppose they have to make sure they’re compatible inallways.

The frigid look she cast in my direction is because she’s pre-judged me and now thinks I’m competition. The reason I know is because I’ve been on the receiving end of the same look a million times before. It’s a look that irks me every time because it’s undeserved every time. It’s tiresome. I’m only interested in one O’Connell, and that one currently refuses to even glance in my direction.

“And this must be the lady herself.” I initiate the introduction in the absence of any of the O’Connells appearing willing to do so.

“Yes, this is Molly.” Eoin doesn’t add anything to that, and definitely not that she may be his future fiancée.

“Molly, this is Jessie O’Brien. Jessie handles our accountancy function.”

I smile warmly at her. She may have judged the book by the cover, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and let her earn her three strikes.

“It’s good to meet you at long last, Molly. I hear you’re a lawyer in the making but you’ve still to finish your studies, is that right?”

She narrows her eyes briefly. Does she not like that question? I thought it a pretty tame icebreaker.

She flicks her long jet-black hair around her shoulders. “I’ve concluded my studies. It’s the relevant work experience I still need to acquire.”

Her accent is thick Irish. She sounds like my daddy, although his has softened over the years. I immediately note the absence of any niceties or pleasantries. Maybe it’s a lawyer thing. Or does she think I’m intentionally highlighting what she feels is a flaw?

“Perhaps you could acquire the necessary on-the-job experience working for JAL. Jaine’s looking to expand operations as soon as she returns to Manhattan, and I know they’re currently hiring in preparation.”

It’s true. Both JAL and JAA have been full-on head-hunting, leaving no stone unturned in recruiting the very cream of the outlaw crop, both in terms of legal and financial.

“Jaine’s expanding her business?”

I smile warmly at Paddy.

“She is. With her new commitments to La eMe among many others, she was given no choice. It’s all or nothing with Jaine, as you know. She’s going all out to ensure her clients’ needs are met by implementing plans to operate coast to coast. Moving forward, our kind will want to be dealing with JAL and JAA. You’ll definitely want us working with you, not against you.” I chuckle.

I expect Molly’s already aware of all this. That she’ll have done her digging and asked pertinent questions on the legal grapevine in advance.

She waits until she’s sure I’ve finished speaking before she replies. “As a lawyer, Padraig will be able to sign me off.”

Is she for real?

We’ve just had to dig the Dusters out of a great big hole as a result of their using financial services that were woefully lacking. You don’t use nepotism to sign off on professional qualifications like ours.

I lean back in my chair and frown at her. “Surely, you’re not just looking for a signature in a box, Molly? That’s a bit of a risky strategy given who you’ll be representing. Is your aim not to be the best at what you do?”

I know mine always was. And I am the best. Or at least in my own humble opinion I am. That’s why I’m working for the Dusters.

“Of course my aim is to be the best, but rumor has it Jaine Jones has slept her way to the top of the legal profession. That it had nothing to do with professional competence. As I’m sure you’ll appreciate, I’m not sure that’s the sort of experience I wish to add to my own repertoire. Most women would rather achieve success without having to resort to lying on their backs.”

My poker face is now firmly in place to hide my surprise at her lowering the tone and at this very personal attack on Jaine.

“I can assure you those accusations are unfounded. Jaineisthe best at what she does, and from my experience, to be as good as the best, you need to learn from the best. As I’ve already offered, let me know if you wish me to have a word with her on your behalf. I’m more than happy to do so.”

I leave it there. I know I’ve made an extremely valid point, and everyone sitting around this circular table knows it. In all walks of this life, more so ours, even a professional qualification is no substitute for cold, hard, murderous experience.

In this outlaw world of ours, Molly here has none, whereas Jaine Jones has it in spades.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

JESSIE

Dylan’s Apartment, Hudson Yards, New York

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