Page 54 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“Have you told anyone?”My head’s resting on his chest. It’s my favorite place to be. Listening to the steady thrum of his heart, a heart that I want to belong to me. A heart that, for some reason, I don’t think ever will.

“About?”

“Us.”

“No.”

I lift my head and look at him. We haven’t left his bed for days. Well, only to eat junk food, have a quick wash, and take care of any necessary bodily functions. It’s like he’s cramming for sex exams or something. Making sure he’s got enough practical experience. In a matter of weeks, he’s mastered the encyclopedia of fucking.

“Don’t people wonder where you are?”

He chuckles as he looks up at me, his fingers combing through my tangled hair. “No. They’re used to me not making contact for days on end. Paddy suspects, but I’ve never confirmed or denied anything. Have you told anyone?”

“Jaine. But she won’t breathe a word.”

I then ask the question that’s been bugging me for days. “You’ve stopped asking about my background.”

I watch as a blush creeps up his neck all the way to his cheeks. I know his ways now. It means he’s hiding something. Can I ask? Then again, what gives me the right when I’m hiding things too?

“Is…”

He flips me over and pins me under him.

“A little less conversation, a little more action, please.” He whispers the words against my lips. It’s a blatant distraction tactic.

“Okay, Elvis.” I chuckle, then groan as he sucks on my nipple.

The feeling of dread won’t leave me though. Something’s about to go down, and I’m not going to like it. No siree. Not at all.

The Hudson Dusters’ HQ, Manhattan, New York

“She’s not taking my calls.” He doesn’t sound best pleased as he directs the statement at me.

It’s the weekly meeting, so all of us are sitting in our business glad rags. I’ve been invited into the inner sanctum once more, but only because Fergal is notably absent.

Why have two meetings when one will suffice?

Apparently, he’s on childcare duty. It’s my guess we’ll see less and less of him as he starts to wind down now the future Ma Duster is in place. Spend his time on grandparental duties. Spend his money buying little Caoimhe full-sizedChuckydolls complete with realistic plastic knives.

Everyone else in the room remains silent. It may as well be just Eoin and me here today for the amount of effort the others have contributed in their da’s absence. Maybe they’re keeping their heads down. Perhaps they think there’s more chance the eldest will throw a paperweight. Let’s face it, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The rumors are true regarding the similarities between Da and his eldest son.

Barefoot, I walk over and pull on the silver ball of the Newton’s Cradle, letting it go before returning to my seat.

Click. Click. Click.

I shrug. “And what do you expect me to do about it, Eoin? Jaine’s a big girl. She makes her own decisions. Why do you need to speak to her anyway? The IRS matter is concluded. For now, at least. Unless you know something I don’t. And she doesn’t owe you for anything as far as I’m aware. You don’t have any pound of her flesh to claw back in exchange for outstanding debts.”

I watch as Molly’s hand reaches under the table. It’s clear she wants his attention off Jaine and back on her. Is she squeezing his thigh? Rubbing his dick? Whatever she’s doing, it’s highly inappropriate while he’s mid-conversation. He knows it too.

He reaches under the table, no doubt to remove her exploring fingers. He glances at her and then looks away.

“I wanted to speak with Jaine about the alliance. We need her to be involved. She’s personal friends with Rodolfo, so it makes most….”

I interject. “Jaine is personal friends with a lot of outlaw aristocracy. What are you going to do? Call on her services every time you have dealings with one? I’m sorry, but I thought that’s what Molly was brought in to do. You know, interact with the other factions and win them all over with that charming Irish personality of hers.” I nod in her direction.

“We can’t just throw Molly in at the deep end, Jessie.”

“Why not? Have you asked Molly what she wants? What she feels she’s capable of? Or are you just being your usual chauvinistic self about it all?” I raise an eyebrow at her. “Molly?”

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