Page 162 of Dirty Eoin

“Ava’s a nice girl, Eoin. She’s a strong businesswoman. She’s from a good, solid mobster family. You could do a lot worse than Leo’s little sister.”

He’s right about that too, of course.

I’ve been keeping the girl hanging on and that’s been unfair of me. She deserves better. She’ll have an army of suitors, I’m sure, but it’s me she’s chosen to spend time with and get to know. A far cry from Jaine, who never wants to discuss anything personal, goes AWOL every five minutes, then when you do manage to locate her, she gets all hissy because she’s been backed into a corner.

And all because she doesn’t know how to let me down gently or otherwise.

“I love Jaine. You know that, Eoin. She’s the sister I never had. But it’s time to draw a line under this for both your sakes.”

I nod silently and he takes that as his cue to leave.

“I meant to say.” He stops at the door and turns around. “Ma’s asked if you can pick Finian up from Cillian’s and drop him off at Jaine’s. Apparently, Cill’s going on a job with Aidan and Sarah has an appointment with the ob-gyn.”

“And JJ?”

“Watching movies with Duke.”

I’d forgotten the children had moved back home now that the Malky threat has been permanently handled.

“Let Dec know the timings and tell him to set it up in my calendar.”

“Will do.”

* * *

I closethe door to Cill’s apartment, carrying a wriggly Fin in my arms and with his bag over my shoulder. Who knew a small child needed so much stuff?

He’s chattering away. To me. To himself. To anyone who’ll listen.

He’s such a beautiful lad. Our Paddy’s mini-me in every way.

I miss my brother. We all do.

I glance down at the little boy in my arms with his pale skin, black hair, and sparkling blue eyes. He could easily pass as my son. No one would ever think otherwise. I’m annoyed with myself for telling Molly. I thought I could trust her. That she would never betray me or my family. My misjudgment means we now have no idea who else may be aware of Fin’s true parentage. Hopefully no-one.

I step outside the building. It’s a sunny day. I pass a giggling Fin to Dec, who’s come up the stairs to meet me before handing across his bag.

There’s no time like the present. I turn my face up at the sky and take a deep breath in before taking out my phone.

Eoin:Can you deal with the annulment paperwork swiftly please, Jaine? I’d like to draw a line under this matter once and for all and move on.

My finger hesitates. I inhale and exhale. I don’t want to send it, but I must. For both our sakes.

I press send.

Looking up, I see the black SUV as it crawls along the sidewalk. My gut’s already telling me that something’s not right and it’s seldom fucking wrong. My phone flashes in my hand.

Is it a warning?

I click on the message, but I’ve no time to read it as the window on the vehicle lowers and the gun barrel glints in the sunshine. I immediately push myself in front of Fin who’s in Dec’s arms.

I feel the bullet hit. I feel myself fall. I feel blinding pain in my head.

Then nothing.

CHAPTERFIFTY-THREE

JAINE

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