Page 150 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“Then you should have thought about that twelve months ago, which is when you should have put an end to this fucked-up charade of yours. The things I’ve said. Jesus Christ. But then you know what I’ve said word for word. So, tell me, Eoin, just how long have you been reading our correspondence in minute detail?”

“Since Nevada.”

“So, for the same duration.”

I pause once more.

“Well, do you know what? I felt guilty about the bombshell I’m going to be dropping on the Dusters. But now? Not so much.”

He responds immediately.

“I know about the recording of the telephone conversation with Molly if that’s your earth-shattering news.”

I laugh dryly. “Oh, your fiancée told you about that, did she? Well, that’s good to know. But it’s not that. Sorry to disappoint you.”

I’m tempted to mention the silent owing I’ve created. That I’m having to play intermediary between Rod and Molly moving forward. Maybe he already knows, maybe he doesn’t. I’m not going to lower myself to her level by bringing it up.

“She’ll be my wife imminently.”

“Is that so? And why the rush? A shotgun wedding, perhaps?”

“Not at all. She saved my life.”

“Maybe she should have done the world a favor and not bothered. And when was this life-saving event exactly?”

“We had a situation in Nevada. I was at risk. Molly permanently ended the problem.”

“Shoot someone in the head on your behalf, did she?”

So she’s taken the credit for shooting the Colombian in the skull and he’s rushing her down the aisle as a result. Well, I couldn’t have wished for a better result. I’ve never known a couple more deserving of one another.

“How do you know they were shot in the head?”

“I know more than you realize.”

“I’m sure Jessie will have told you.”

“Maybe she did. Maybe she didn’t. Anyway, more importantly, and the actual reason for my call. Do you remember what I said. That one day I would make your life as miserable as you made mine?”

“Vaguely.”

“Well, I just wanted to forewarn you that your day of reckoning is coming.”

“Is it indeed? And can I ask why all this vitriol is being directed at me? Why not at Paddy or Dylan?”

I laugh. “Because you ended our relationship without consideration or remorse. And then for the past year, you’ve allowed me to be used because it suited your selfish purposes. You should have put a end to this fiasco as soon as you found out. Either that or you should have come clean. You did neither. Now it’s payback time and I hear karma can be a goddamn bitch when she wants to be.”

“Are you threatening me, Miss Jones?”

“That’s exactly what I am doing, Mr. O’Connell. Because I’m coming after you personally, and I will do everything in my power to make your life a living hell.”

“Then bring it on. But mark my words, you will lose.” His tone is filled with sheer arrogance.

This asshole’s underestimating me. Again.

“Then I suggest you get prepared to eat those fuckers, Mr. O’Connell. Because there’s one thing Jaine Jones never does, and that’s lose.”

CHAPTERSIXTY-ONE

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