Page 77 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

Again, I nod and frown. “Have I missed something? Is this ‘insult your accountant’ day or what? We do have to study contract law as part of our qualification, you know? We’re not just hopeless number crunchers who can’t survive in the real world without having a calculator on hand at all times to act as some sort of professional soother.”

I turn my attention to Molly. “As the external legal representation for the Dusters and as the next alliance shipment is due to land imminently, I’ve told Rod you’ll also speak to him today. I do hope that’s okay.” I smile at her.

“Well, it’s not really convenient.” She glances at Eoin and then Fergal as though looking for backup. Does she think I’ve deliberately dropped her professional self in it? On the contrary, I thought I was doing her a favor. That I’d broken the ice in advance so it’s no longer just a cold call.

I frown again. “Rod has a busy schedule doing all those mafia-type things he does, but he’s agreed to take your call at extremely short notice as a favor. Shall I let him know you’re too busy to speak to him?”

“I’m sure Molly can squeeze in a conversation with your good friend and our ally today, Jessie.” Da Duster has spoken. Now she’ll have no choice.

“Is there anything else we need to be made aware of, Jessie?”

I look at Eoin. Do I say something or not?

“Well, there is still a bit of unrest in Colton that I think you boys should be made aware of.”

I know Jaine will kill me. But I figure it’s better that than risking a repeat of what happened last time. We don’t need another bloodbath on our hands because of another lapse in communication.

“Go on.”

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

DYLAN

The Hudson Dusters’ HQ, Manhattan, New York

“You haveto work better at controlling yourself, Dylan.”

We’re in my big brother’s office again. This time, two tan-colored chairs face him. One for me. It’s my guess the other is for our Paddy. No doubt there would be a third pulled up for Cill, but he’s off galivanting and is currently sunning himself in California.

“What if she marries him, Eoin? What if she decides to wed Rodolfo Flores?”

“And what if she does? You’re pretty much spoken for, or have you forgotten? And Grace and everyone else in the room just witnessed your adverse expression over what Jessie said. What if Grace decides to tell her parents you’re mooning over another girl?”

“I don’t care,” I hiss. I’d never have dared speak to him the way I am doing. I definitely would never have raised my voice. But right now, I want to thump someone, and his arrogant self would do quite nicely.

It’s another alien feeling for me, but then, so is murderous jealousy.

He leans back in his chair and gazes at me contemplatively. “She really has changed you. You’ll be asking to go on wet work with our Paddy next.”

“She has. And for the better. And I don’t want her to move back to fucking Nevada.”

“You don’t have any say in the matter. Have you spoken with her?”

I laugh dryly. “I’ve tried but unsuccessfully. We managed to keep out of each other’s way for months, Eoin. Trust me. Jessie’s got the ability to avoid me down to an art form.”

“Can’t you speak to her in the office?”

I shake my head. “Even here she manages to disappear. It’s as if she’s left the building even when she hasn’t.”

* * *

Eoin looks between us both.One of us has dropped the ball. I’m not sure which of us it is, but I do know that it’ll be to do with Jaine.

“The cliché blonde.”

Fuck.

“What about her?” Paddy answers.

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