Page 47 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

No, but what else can I say when I don’t know what the fuck it was?

Itwasnothing because it can’t ever be anything.

“He shouldn’t have said what he did to you.”

“And he’s apologized for it twice now. Anyway, once Fin’s true parentage comes out, he’ll know there was no cheating involved. It’s understandable why he reacted the way he did. As far as he’s concerned, I told him I didn’t love him, then slept with his brother. You disrespected him by fucking the same woman you insisted he stay away from.”

“I’m glad he apologized.”

“He also apologized for all the deceit over the two years. I accepted both apologies.”

A pause.

“Who would you choose, Jaine? Who would you choose if you could have only one of us?”

“Are you feeling insecure all of a sudden, Mr. O’Connell?”

“Not at all, Miss Jones. I’m merely curious.”

Liar.

“I’m not going to answer that question.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m engaged to you.”

“Are there any other reasons?”

“Because Irish is married to Sophia. Both those facts mean there’s no choice to be made, so will you please quit with all the nonsensical questions and fuck me?”

“Again?”

“Again.”

Rolling me onto my back, he pins me down with the full weight of his body. I groan my appreciation when his hand circles my throat.

“Such a demanding, greedy woman.”

I don’t want him having those thoughts because, regardless of what he says, I can tell heisworried about it, or at least it’s playing on his mind.

Irish is happily married. What Eoin should be more concerned about is me deciding to draw a line under what we have because of his controlling nature.

When it comes to his brother and me, he has nothing to worry about.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

PADRAIG

The O’Connell Home, Darling, New York

Another week has passed.

I can still taste Jaine’s bitter betrayal. I reckon I always will, but I can’t dwell on it. Not when on the surface, I have to appear to be loved up with my Sicilian wife.

I’m lying flat on my back on the family room floor, wearing a t-shirt that’s now covered in grubby, sticky handprints. Ma’s just taken the two little scoundrels responsible to put them in a much-needed bath.

Who knew wee ones could be so exhausting? Little JJ is fairly quiet and placid, but Fin is a million miles an hour and likes to talk your ears off at every turn. I’m not sure where he gets that from as, while they’re far from being introverted, neither Jaine nor Eoin is what you would call outgoing.

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