Page 19 of Dirty Eoin

“I can’t tell you that.”

“So you’re keeping secrets from me because my surname’s O’Connell now, is that it?”

She has no right to sound hurt.

“And you’ve never kept a secret from me before, Jessie?”

There’s a pause. She knows damn well she has. She told the Dusters about the Nevada unrest when I specifically asked her not to. The trip that resulted in three dead Colombians. An outcome that could easily be behind why Ace was head-hunted personally by the grim reaper. In part, his mediating resulted in the Whisperers being brought in on the alliance. A result that will no doubt have fucked off the still faceless faction behind this trafficking business.

“Anyway, it’s not because of that,” I continue. There’s no point dwelling on it. It won’t bring Ace back. “There’s an urgent matter I need to attend to and it’s not something I can discuss with anybody.”

“Not with anyone at all?”

“Apart from Delaney.”

“So, it’s not because I’m one of them.”

“No.”

I’m not totally lying. I can’t discuss Exterminator-related business with her. I usually could with Dyl, but for obvious reasons, I can’t. For one, he’s a Duster. There’s also the small matter that the person in the firing line of this other sniper’s rifle is none other than his baby brother.

“Good, because nothing’s changed, Jaine. I’m still your friend. I’m still your business partner.”

“How’s your pop?” I change the subject.

“He’s resting up.” She sounds miffed, no doubt at my refusing to discuss the other matter further.

“Why did he take a bullet for Ace?”

“He won’t tell anyone. He wants to meet with you. To explain to you why face to face.” She sounds hopeful.

“I won’t have time to do that before I return to Manhattan, Jessie. I’m sorry.”

And I am sorry. Sincerely. Lucifer could have gotten himself killed doing what he did. In the end, his unselfish act was futile. It almost cost him his life and it still didn’t save Ace.

There’s a pause. I immediately know where this is going.

“Jaine, Dyl wants to speak to you. Can I put him on? Please just talk to him.”

“I’ll be speaking to the O’Connells soon enough. I said I’d be paying them a visit when I return to New York. That hasn’t changed. I have no intention of conversing with any of them before then. That includes Dylan.” My tone is firm.

“Shall I at least let them know when to expect you?”

I smile for the first time in weeks. “I’d prefer to keep the element of surprise.”

CHAPTERNINE

EOIN

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan, New York

“Are you ready, Padraig?”

We’re standing in a room just off the altar, its dark wood walls and polished wood floor giving it an almost coffin-like appearance. As if to morbidly complement our surroundings, the flowers of choice for today are lilies.

Funeral flowers. Their strong almost repugnant odor fills the air.

Four brothers tied by blood. Four brothers who must and who do put family first. When push comes to shove, family is all we have.

---