Page 156 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

“Stop sulking.”

I let out an exaggerated sigh.

“Anyway, to conclude, apparently Molly’s taken the credit for killing the bad guy and because he thinks she saved his ass, Eoin’s rushing her down the aisle.”

“More fool him.”

Again, she doesn’t sound surprised so it’s my guessing she was aware of that piece of gossip too.

“Anyway, now my news. I spoke to Leoluca Di Matteo before I called you. He wants me to meet with him and one of his colleagues in Manhattan. My dilemma is it’s ear-marked for before my return date.”

“Leoluca is?”

“One of my biggest clients. Leo has links with Cosa Nostra. The Sicilian mafia.”

“Right. And does this have anything to do with Sophia by any chance?”

“He hasn’t said as much, but as he doesn’t want to discuss anything over the phone it’s my guessing the answer’s yes. That it may indeed have something to do with the Ruoccos.”

“And are you going to meet up with him?”

“He’s a client. I don’t really have any choice.”

“And when’s this meeting taking place?”

“The day after Dyl’s engagement party.”

* * *

I dialher number as I stare in disbelief at my laptop screen.

“Jaine.”

“Jessie. I last spoke to you, what, half an hour ago?”

“I’ve had an email.”

“That’s a fairly common method of communication these days. And for that reason, I’m not sure it’s worthy of its own telephone call.”

I smile at her dry response. “It’s an invitation to Dylan’s engagement party.”

“Right.”

“Have you been invited?”

“Nope. It’s unlikely I’ll be featured on the guestlist with relations being a little, shall we say, strained between the O’Connells and me. Plus, Sophia and Irish will be there.”

“You don’t sound surprised that I’ve been invited. Did you know about it?”

“Might have.”

“You think I should go?”

“You’ve been invited, haven’t you?”

“But won’t that be a bit weird?”

“Only if you make it so.”

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