Page 201 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

I dial Jessie’s number from where I’m lying on the bed. I haven’t spoken to her in a while. I’ve been too busy using up most of my nine lives.

“Jessie.”

“Well, I’ll be damned, partner. Is it really you?”

“Yup.”

“How are you? In fact, where are you?”

“I’m okay. I’m at the Angels’ clubhouse. I’m about to start packing up Ace’s room. Eoin and Irish are here. There in the meeting room, talking to Lucifer.”

“What’s my daddy doing there?” Typical accountant. Straight away, her curiosity is piqued.

“He just stopped by.”

She snorts. “He lives in Colton. Why would he just stop by Rising?”

“I think he knew I would be here today, so he stopped by to see me.”

“And why would he stop on someone who doesn’t think that highly of him? What’s going on, Jaine?”

“Jessie…”

“It’ssoon,isn’t it?” Her voice is quiet.

“It is.”

“Tell me.”

“Lucifer is my daddy too.”

Silence. It’s a lot to take in.

“But… how?”

“You’re a bit old for the birds and the bees talk, Jessie.” I chuckle as I try to lighten the mood, but it’s met with more silence. “I only found out myself when I returned to Rising on the anniversary of Ace’s death. That’s what Lucifer wanted to speak to me about. I haven’t been able to talk to you about it because ever since then, I’ve either been trying not to die or wishing I was dead.”

“And my momma?” she whispers.

“Was my momma too. My pop was her second husband.”

“So, she left my daddy to be with your pop?”

“Yes, although I don’t know too much about it. She passed when I was seven, and my pop never mentioned anything about him not being my daddy.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Me neither, but I told Lucifer I didn’t want to know. It didn’t seem right him telling me in detail and not telling all of you too.”

“You have four siblings.”

“I do.”

“You’re my sister.”

“I am.”

“So, does that mean you still think I’m the genius in the O’Brien family, or do you think that it’s you now?”

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