Page 158 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

She hasn’t told anyone else yet. My daddy will be thrilled for sure. He’s waited a long time to be a granddaddy. Let’s face it, it’s not like I’ll be providing him with grandbabies any time soon.

If ever.

I gaze around the ostentatious establishment. By all accounts, it’s the best Manhattan has to offer. My apologies New York but it’s not a patch on the Vegas scene. It’s my guess most of this evening’s attendees will be mobsters, mafioso, politicians, and the rest of the upper echelons of New York’s high society.

Or more aptly put, the people in this city who matter.

All the males are wearing tuxedos and only the most dazzling of partners decorate their arms. Outward appearances are everything.

Waiters strut around in their black and white uniforms, expertly balancing glasses of vintage champagne on silver serving trays.

Money is, of course, no object.

Given Bee’s condition, she’s on sparkling water. I’ve chosen the same. The last thing I need is to get tipsy and find myself crying tears of self-pity into an empty crystal flute as I witness the love of my life celebrate his engagement to the love of his.

“Did you know this venue is the one Jaine and Sarah were abducted from?”

I nod at Little Bee absentmindedly as I continue to people-watch. “Yes. Jaine filled me in on all the details.”

“It’s also where Sarah found out she was pregnant with Caoimhe.”

I nod again then frown. “Where the hell is Sarah, anyway?”

“She’s not here yet. None of the O’Connells are.”

“Figures.” I huff then roll my eyes exaggeratedly.

“What do you mean?” She frowns at me.

“Well, they’re so full of their own self-importance they expect the rest of us to wait around like we’ve got nothing better to do.”

My baby sister reaches across and squeezes my hand. She knows I’m just reacting.

“I really shouldn’t be here, Bee.” My voice is barely a whisper.

“You were invited, Jay.” Her tone is firm.

“Yes, I was, although I’m still not sure why.”

“Because the O’Connells respect you, and for that reason, they wanted you to be here.”

“To rub my nose in it more like.”

“Even if it were for that reason, we O’Briens walk away from nothing and no one. We hold our heads high, and we get through it. Our daddy didn’t raise no yellow-bellied cowards.”

I squeeze her hand back. She’s right. Of course she is. I know what she went through with Paul Delaney. The humiliation. The hurt. The betrayal. She did exactly what she’s expecting me to do in the same circumstances. She held her head high, and she kept right on. Well, if my baby sister can do it, then so the hell can I.

I answer my flashing phone.

“Jaine.”

“Are you there yet?”

“We got here about half an hour ago. No sign of the O’Connells, though.” I huff.

Bee rolls her eyes at me.

“They’ll be there soon enough. You dressed to impress?”

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