Page 68 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“Let me worry about that.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

DYLAN

The Hudson Dusters’ HQ, Manhattan, New York

“Take a seat, Dyl.”I’ve been summoned. It’s the equivalent of Daniel heading into the lion’s den.

The opposite of Paddy’s, Eoin’s office is dark wood furniture which contrasts against the same white background the rest of the offices are finished in. Images of our ancestors line the walls.

Past Dusters. People he admires and aspires to be like.

In the absence of a mirror in here, he’s likely itching to add his own mugshot to the line-up of serial killers and murderers so he can look at himself every day. He’s managed to abstain, for now at least. It would make him appear totally vain as opposed to only partially.

There’s a wooden case filled with books on finance and economics. The areas he studied. Personally, I’d rather pull my fingernails out one by one than be forced to read any of that guff. Still, each to their own.

The other piece of furniture in the room takes pride of place. It’s a huge antique walnut desk. An ugly monstrosity if you ask me. It would look better on a bonfire. It’s finished in a clear shiny coating, so it’s easily wipeable, which is just as well given he fucks Candice over it most days.

Or at least he did until Molly came along.

I sit on the tan-colored executive chair that faces him. His is almost identical. The only difference is his has a higher back and it also has armrests. See, even when it comes to office furniture, no one can have exactly what he has. He always has to have something that bit bigger or better than everyone else.

It’s easy to see why my folks believed he and Molly to be the perfect match. They both have a constant need for one-upmanship.

He paces slowly back and forth behind his desk, his contemplative face turned towards the floor, his hands clasped behind his back. He walks slightly farther, then stops at the window, lifting his head to take in the impressive skyline.

Yup. You’ve guessed it. Eoin also has the best view.

I look at him. He’s formidable is my big brother.

Impressive. Commanding. Authoritative. Deadly.

He was born to lead. Born to rule. He’s not someone you’d want to make an enemy of. Even with the same blood running through our veins, his own siblings have enough sense to avoid doing that.

Eoin gets more like our da with every passing day. Even looks-wise, his once jet-black hair is slowly turning silver at the sides. A constant reminder for him and for all of us that time is ticking. In truth, I’m surprised he’s not started dyeing it. Maybe he’s not as vain as we first thought.

“So, you’ve been fucking, Jessie O’Brien.”

The silence is broken. I don’t speak. There’s no point. He already knows the answer. The way she looked at me during the meeting. The way my face colored in silent response. Everyone knows the answer to that question—even Grace Ryan.

He turns around and faces me, his hands still behind his back. “I have to say, I’m impressed. I never thought you had it in you. She’s a strong character. One of those untamable sorts like….”

There’s a pause.

“Jaine,” I finish the sentence on his behalf.

He frowns. I feel a flicker of sympathy for him. He misses her something rotten. I know he does. Sadly, for him, the feeling’s not mutual and it never will be. Still, she’s agreed to start speaking to him again. Hopefully, her tolerating him once more will make life that bit more bearable for the rest of us.

“Yes.”

Sitting down, he leans his forearms on the desk, links his fingers in front of him then looks at me. He’s waiting. He’s letting me speak. Typically, Eoin’s the one who does all the talking, and the rest of us have to listen whether we want to or not.

“I was trying to find out about her, but Jaine wanted to speak to you first. I’m guessing over any potential conflict of interest about what Jessie revealed today and her role with us. But then you and Jaine had the falling out, I’m guessing in part over what Molly insinuated, and it sort of got waylaid.”

My brother frowns. He won’t say anything, but I suspect he’s thinking the same thing I am. That Molly isn’t right for the Ma Duster role. Not yet at least. Maybe not ever. She’d need to focus on the bigger picture and what’s strategically best for the company. There would be a lot of people relying on her as one of the top two in our organization. There’s no time for personal vendettas. Then again, our ma has it in for Jaine, so maybe she and Molly are more alike than the rest of us would care to admit.

“I love her, Eoin,”

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