Page 120 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“You were here first, and you might not want company.”

“Well, we don’t need to talk.”

“Fine by me, but you seem to always need to be talking.”

“True.” I chuckle. “Anyway, what’s the outcome?”

“Lucifer’s agreed to vouch for us in principle.”

“And?”

“And so, if you could speak to the Irish to make sure they’re receptive to the idea, I’d appreciate that.”

“You need me to help produce a business plan. Those boys will expect to see one.”

“That would also be appreciated. I’ll pay for your time, of course.”

“If you want access to my ongoing services, then yes, you will, unfortunately, have to pay. Even my poor, clearly destitute daddy has to pay, as much as he grumbles about it. And I don’t come cheap. So, I’m warning you in advance. But for the business plan. Well, consider it my ‘congratulations on your new club’ gift to you.”

“Well, thank you for your generosity, Jay, but I’d rather pay in full and have another kind of gift.”

“Still the smooth talker I see, Mr. Grayson. The truth is, I’m not looking for anything right now.”

“Me neither.”

“So, are you asking me for a no-strings fuck in a truck behind Colton diner?”

“Might be.”

I snort. “I think these days we’d probably get ourselves arrested.”

“Only if we get caught.”

“I’ll take a hard pass. I’m not sweet sixteen, and you’re an old-timer at thirty-two. I’m not sure either of us have got it in us anymore to run from the pigs.”

“Less of the old. I’m a man in my prime.” He closes his eyes and raises his face to the sun, a smile playing on his lips. He knows that comment will have me automatically giving him the once over. And I do. And I have to agree with him.

Prime. Indeed.

“Rumor has it you were seeing one of those Irish boys.”

“Well, I sure as hell don’t miss small-town gossip.”

“Is it true?”

“It is.”

“Can I ask what happened?”

“He was part of an arranged marriage. Apparently, it’s quite common in influential families like his.”

“So, will you be going back to Manhattan, or will you be sticking around Colton?”

I give it some thought before I answer. I know that same consideration’s been playing on my mind a lot recently. Might as well make that decision right now.

“I’m going to work between both, Ty. Since I’ve been back, I realize Colton’s in my blood. I spent so long away that I forgot what it was like to be home. I’ve missed it. I’ve missed that feeling of belonging somewhere.”

“That’s good to know.”

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