Page 114 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“For a few months. Why do you ask?”

He shrugs as he packs his things away. “If I didn’t know you were married to someone else or that Jaine used to be married to Mr. O’Connell, then I would have thought you were a couple.”

“Is that because of the compromising position you found us in?” I laugh.

He stops what he’s doing and turns to face me. “It wasn’t compromising. Mr. O’Connell said you looked like star-crossed lovers, and he was right. You looked like you were protecting each other.”

I smile sadly. “What Jaine and I had was over a long time ago. She’s back with Eoin again, or at least she will be soon.”

“It’s big of you.” He turns his attention back to what he was doing.

“What is?”

“Putting her needs ahead of your own.”

This lad can see right through me. My smile is betrayed by the single tear that runs down my face.

“I always will, Tim.”

* * *

I stareat my big brother from my seated position on the sectional. I didn’t want to have this conversation from my bed. I would have felt weak, and right now, I need to be stronger than I have ever been in my life.

We’ve never been close, Eoin and me. Maybe it’s the eight-year age gap. Maybe it’s the fact that he’s always told me what to do like I wasn’t capable of mustering a sensible or rational thought in my own head.

I’m a lawyer. I’m both sensible and rational when I need to be.

“How are you, Paddy?” He’s not pacing like he would normally do. He’s standing and staring straight at me. He’s comparing himself to me. I know he is.

It’s because he knows she loves me too.

He’s trying to work out what she sees in me, but he never will because it’s not visible on the outside. It’s inside. What Jaine and I share isn’t based on just the physical. It’s deeper than that.

It’s soul deep.

“Fine.” I need to give myself a shake. One-word answers won’t help. I should be grateful to him. Without him putting two and two together and working out where we were, Jaine and I would be dead. “Tim says I’ll be up and about in a couple of days,” I add.

“That’s good to hear.”

There’s an awkward silence. This is the first time he and I have been alone together since I returned from Sicily.

Since I found out he had married the love of my life instead of finding one of his own. Since I found out that Jaine now loves him too. Since I found out he’s been playing da to my son.

I stare back at him. Eoin’s an impressive individual, but then, he always has been. Tall, lean, and good-looking. Appearance-wise, we’re much the same. That’s where the similarities end.

Eoin has a menacing presence that deters people from approaching him. With him, it’s a case of what you see is what you get. That’s just the way he likes it. He can converse and mingle, but it’s not really him. He much prefers to control and orchestrate, and he’s extremely good at it. He was born to head our family and organization.

He’s the best brother for the job.

With me, it’s more a case of not getting what you see. I’m what they call a smiling assassin. I’m your best friend until I decide that I’m not. And the not part typically involves me brandishing a blade in my hand, just so there’s no confusion about how unfriendly I can be. Aside from my legal duties, it’s why I’m on constant wet work.

I’m the best brother for that job.

“I know about Fin.”

“And what is it that you know, exactly?”

“That he’s mine. Isn’t that enough?” I snort.

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