Page 163 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

Paddy looks at me and all I can do is look back. Because Da’s right. Even I didn’t know about Jaine.

“Our decision was made with the best of intentions to secure you a high-ranking wife and the Dusters a strong ally.”

“But I found my Holy Grail of women when I was nineteen, Da. I just didn’t know she loved me back.”

I blink back tears at how lost he sounds.

“By the time you did, it was already too late, son.”

“I still should have had a say in my own future, Da”

“You would have turned the girl down the same as you would every other that was chosen for you. Sophia was given no choice in the matter either. And when push came to shove, she chose you over Cillian and Dylan.”

“Lucky me,” he mutters.

“Lucky or unlucky, the marriage must go ahead, or mark my words, Luciano will wage war against us. Your ma has been spending time with young Sophia. Trust me, she’s as sharp as a tack, even more so than Molly. She will make you a good wife.”

Paddy sinks lower on the sectional. He looks like a broken man, but then that’s his default look these days.

Da turns his attention back to me. “Now, I’ve heard what everyone has to say on the matter. I know how your ma feels about bikers and their kind in general, but Jessie O’Brien is far more business than biker. I think we can all agree on that. So, as the head of this family and the head of the Duster organization, I’m giving my permission and my blessing for you to take her as your wife, Dylan.”

“Thank you, Da.” I whisper, closing my eyes as relief floods through me.

When I open them, Ma’s glaring at him. She’ll make him pay for going against her wishes. He’ll be fending for himself for the foreseeable future that’s for sure.

For reasons known only to her, Ma has a biased and disjointed view of bikers. She labels them all promiscuous heathens. And while I agree they do things differently. And while I also agree they may live a debaucherous lifestyle, it’s also my view they share a camaraderie that’s second to none. I know for a fact every one of those bikers I met for the first time in Nevada would have risked their life for mine.

That, as a biker, Jessie did just that.

I want my own children to grow up as part of that extended family. To always have people like that on their side. Of course, they will be Dusters first and foremost. But I know they will be all the stronger for embracing both worlds.

And for having Jessie as their ma.

CHAPTERSIXTY-FIVE

DYLAN

The Meeting Rooms, New York

On bended knee,I pull the black velvet box from my pocket as I stare up at the most beautiful woman in the world as she stands in a silver floor length gown that skims her slim figure. Then I say the words I pray to The Almighty she wants to hear.

“I love you, Jessie O’Brien. Will you marry me?”

I look up into tear-filled eyes of baby blue as I ask her to be my wife.

Because Jessie completes me. She’s my everything. My reason. My life. My love. My soulmate.

I knew from the moment she entered the room on that very first day. When she made my cheeks burn with embarrassment then smirked at my discomfort. There has never been anyone for me. And now I know why. Because I was destined to be hers.

Just as she was destined to be mine.

And tonight, I want all of Manhattan to bear witness to my asking Jessie to take the vows with me. I want to prove just how much I love her by stepping out of my comfort zone and declaring so in a room filled with complete strangers.

But now I’m thinking maybe I’ve gone about this all the wrong way. Because she’s now wearing a frown and she still hasn’t answered the all-important question.

I get it. She doesn’t know half of what’s gone on.

“Do you trust me, Jessie?” Clutching at the only straw I can think of, I repeat what I said to her all those months ago and pray to God it works second time around. “Because I need you to trust me this one more time. I’ll explain everything, I promise. But I just need you to do that for me. Will you put your trust in me once more, Jessie?”

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