Page 45 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“But why are you having to get so involved in what the Sons and the Undertakers are doing? Surely Lucifer and Tadgh can handle things their end? Conor too? They’re three grown men. It’s not right they expect the Angels’ council to be operating without their prez.”

“Clay can handle it.”

“But he shouldn’t be expected to.”

“I saidClay can handle it.”

There’s a pause. Something’s wrong. Or if it’s not wrong yet, it soon will be. I can feel that shit in my goddamn bones.

“I’m sorry for snapping, PJ. Anyway, how’s Fin? And how’s my other son cooking?”

“Fin’s caught a cold. He’s snotting everywhere and being all melodramatic, just like his biological daddy would be. And your other son is causing me to visit the restroom every five minutes. Apart from that, everything’s the same. Nothing ever changes in Rising. You know that, Ace.”

“You should make the most of it. You’ll be back in Manhattan soon enough.”

“And what if I don’t want to go back?”

He exhales in frustration, and I know he’s running his hands through that beautiful long black hair of his. “You have to go back, PJ. We’ve been through this already. Fin needs to have a relationship with his daddy.”

“Yeah, I know.” I exhale loudly. “Anyway, speaking of the O’Connells, I had a long talk with Jessie today followed by a run-in with Eoin. The end result is I pulled JAL’s services.”

“Shit.”

“Well, he’s an asshole and the girl earmarked to be the future Mrs. Eoin O’Connell has taken an instant dislike to me, most likely no thanks to Roisin. She said the only reason I’m successful in business is because I have a mattress attached to my back.”

He lets out a low whistle. “She actually said that? Has she got a death wish or something?”

“That’s what she insinuated according to Jessie. Anyway, I’ve just about had enough of them.”

“They’re your family, PJ. Whether you like it or not.”

“Correction. They’re Fin’s family. And they don’t even know that yet.”

“You’re five months gone. They’ll find out soon enough.”

“I just needed a break from Eoin, Ace.” I hate myself for sounding whiny. “He’s too demanding. Always asking for my help. Saying I owe him. I’m not asking him for any more favors. He always wants way more in return.”

“I know exactly what it is he’s chasing.” His voice is low.

“What do you mean?”

I know I must sound surprised, but Ace has never even seen me in the same room as Eoin, so how would he know the eldest brother looks at me like he wants to fuck me every time we meet?

“When he and I met for the first time in Nevada. If looks could kill. And then when he sang your praises during the meeting? Well, his infatuation with you was pretty obvious. Even Razr picked up on it.”

“Ace…”

“I know you won’t have led him on, PJ. I just pray for his sake that Padraig never finds out.”

“Why would Irish care? He’s getting married soon.”

“An event he’s still not happy about. Cill and I were talking about it earlier today. Padraig is just accepting of his fate.”

“But I thought….”

“He’s marrying the Sicilian because he has to, not because he wants to. Because it’s his Duster duty. I thought you’d have known that given how often you speak to Dylan.”

“We don’t talk about Irish. We agreed from the outset it would be best for everyone that way. I guess I just assumed as he’d never reached out in all this time that he was happy.”

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