Page 96 of Dirty Eoin

“And the vermin behind the attack at the church, Cill?”

Cillian shakes his head. “Both marksmen were clean, Da. It looks like one was a suicide sniper. He went in knowing the only way he was coming out was in a body bag. The other was just as prepared to die. No doubt their families were handsomely rewarded for their combined efforts despite both being unfruitful, thanks to The Exterminator.”

Fergal frowns. It will be giving him sleepless nights knowing his family is under threat.

“And your da, Jessie. How has he been keeping?”

She smiles sweetly at him. They have a close bond. Something he and I will never have. All we share is a mutual tolerance.

“He’s fully recovered, thank you for asking, Fergal.”

I catch her eye and subtly shake my head, letting her know not to mention that I may be heading to Rising soon, then on to Nevada to meet with Lucifer. I know for a fact that Eoin will throw a hissy fit and insist on going with me. And I can’t have that.

Anyway, my plan may have fallen into place by then, and what he wants will no longer matter.

I turn my attention to Dylan. “If Ty discovers something concrete, then you let me know straight away.”

“And why would Dylan do that?” Eoin frowns at me.

“Because if either of those two snipers get unearthed, I’ll be the one to kill them, that’s why.”

“You’re not going anywhere on your own.”

I glare at him. “I’m a big girl, Eoin. I’ve managed to survive thirty years in this life without your guidance or assistance.”

“You’re my wife now, Jaine. An O’Connell. And last I heard, we all potentially have targets on our backs. I will not have you put yourself at risk. You’re not going anywhere on your own and that’s the end of it!”

“I’m my own goddamn person!”

“You’re my goddamn person!”

“Jesus Christ.” I roll my eyes exaggeratedly. “Are you going to piss on me so everyone knows I’m your property.”

“I might.”

“Fuck you, asshole!”

“Anytime, Mrs. O’Connell.”

I leave it there. There’s no point poking him. No one needs Eoin’s monster coming out to play, and he won’t take much encouragement given the foul mood he’s already in. Heads will roll, quite literally, family or not.

In a way, I can understand his protective stance. He thinks I’m a lawyer. Nothing more. He doesn’t know what I do in my spare time, even if it is infrequently these days since I’m being tailed more often than not.

I glance around the now silent table, conscious all eyes apart from Dylan’s are watching our back and forth with what appears to be amusement. I’m not sure why. There’s nothing remotely funny about the seriousness of this situation and the fact that it resulted in Ace’s death.

I cut the silence. “Dylan, I meant what I said. The Nevada snipers are mine. Big brother here can go fuck himself if he thinks otherwise. It was my husband they killed. For doing so, my face will be the last thing they see before I personally hand their diseased souls over to the goddamn reaper.”

* * *

I answerthe phone within three rings. When someone calls at this time of night, it’s not to ask after your health. I sit bolt upright in bed.

“Dylan, what’s going on? It’s two a.m.”

“Jaine. They’ve picked one of them up.”

“The snipers.” It’s not a question, more a confirmation. “Where is he?”

“He’s currently being flown to New York.”

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