Page 151 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

DYLAN

The Hudson Dusters’ HQ, Manhattan, New York

“Don’t sayI didn’t warn you. We allowed that biker woman to become too involved. Now look at the mess we’re in, and all because she has intel on us. I mean, what was our Paddy thinking. What were you all thinking?”

Eoin, Da, and I sit around the circular table. Cill’s away on business, and our Paddy is one of the main topics of conversation, so neither he nor the women have been invited to this extraordinary Duster meeting.

“He was drinking himself into a stupor every day, Da. I didn’t see the harm in the beginning. In all honesty, I thought it would just fizzle out, but it never did.”

“They spent the best part of ten years messaging each other, Dylan. It was their thing. It was never going to just fizzle bloody out.”

I say nothing because I know he’s right. I also keep my head down. It’s safer. It’s closer to the tabletop if I need to duck it below.

“And you say she threatened you, Eoin?”

“She did, Da. But I’m not sure what with exactly. I mean, we know she has a recording. But then she probably has several. I’m just not sure what else.”

“Jesus Christ.” Da shakes his head at the situation we’ve gotten ourselves in. Jaine Jones is a great ally when you're on the same side, but as an enemy? We’re just not sure what to expect.

“She won‘t dob us in or anything like that, Da,” I mutter.

“And you know that how?” Da’s glare is fixed on me. I’m sure it is. But I don’t make eye contact. I’m not brave enough. Not given the mood he’s currently in. For once, he really is having to tolerate our combined incompetence.

“It’s not Jaine’s style. If she’s going to seek revenge, it will be something noteworthy. Something she’ll take pride in. It won’t be anything sneaky or underhand. I know her well enough to know that.”

“What could it be, then?” Da grumbles on.

We all stare at each other. None of us have any clue what this bombshell of hers is. Or indeed, what else over and above she has planned for Eoin. Because he’s the one set to be on the receiving end of the plate of stone-cold revenge she’s planning on dishing up. In truth, I can’t say it’s not deserved. Partially, at least.

I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.

“Should we consider using The Exterminator on her?”

Shite, here we go. If all else fails, shoot to kill. If only they knew. “No, Da. I’m hoping it will all calm down in due course. Jaine’s just feeling let down, and rightly so.”

“Maybe we should consider using Molly moving forward. She’s an adept shot.” I glance at our Eoin as he makes the flippant remark.

Da smiles proudly. “She is that. Stepping up to save your bacon when she needed to. It’s not a bad shout. We’d save ourselves millions. I know there’s been a lot of things said against the girl. We were all questioning if she was the right choice and so on. But I think she’s earned her place at the head of this family and by your side.”

Eoin nods. I can tell he feels indebted to her, which is understandable. Is it just that? Are his feelings towards her also changing as a result?

If only this pair knew who it was that really saved his pompous arse.

“Let’s not forget Jessie saved my skin by decapitating the first Colombian with moves straight out ofKill Bill.”

Da nods as he frowns and stares at his blank pad. He misses her. I should feel guilty for mentioning her, but I don’t. Because if Molly is being praised for something she didn’t do, Jessie deserves recognition for something she did.

Saving my life.

“Did you unearth anything from the Colombian’s phone?”

Eoin shakes his head. “Nothing. It was burner to burner.”

Da frowns and looks at me. “And how’s our Paddy doing?”

It’s my turn to frown. “He’s not in a good place. He’s disappointed with himself that he dropped the ball quite so blatantly. Jaine’s not messaged him, or should I say she’s not messaged me, since. In truth, she’d already made it clear she wanted her next communication with Paddy to be face-to-face. I also think, deep down, he knows it was time to draw a line under it. He can’t continue this back-and-forth with Jaine after taking the vows with Sophia. That would be disrespectful. It doesn’t make it any easier for him, though.”

“And how is Jaine with you?”

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