Page 123 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“Leave it, Dyl.”

I change the subject to another one I don’t really want to talk about.

“So, did Eoin and Jaine sort out their differences?”

“He did what was asked of him.”

“Like it was any hardship.” I snort once more.

“Padraig, I won’t ask what went on in the church between you and Jaine, but you wanted her to not be confused over you. She’s not. She thinks you’re happy with your lot. That you’re in love with your wife.”

“Why, Dyl? It’s the only thing I don’t understand. Why did she do what she did?”

“Did you not ask her?”

“No. I just chided her on the fact that she walked away without a backward glance.”

“Then you need to have a conversation with Eoin.”

“About what?”

“That’s all I’m saying, Paddy. It’s not my story to tell.”

I hear what he’s saying, but I’m in no mood to talk to my eldest brother any time soon. I’m grateful he’s doing what I asked him to do, but that doesn’t make it any easier to accept that he will be living the happily ever after with the girl who was supposed to be my end game, not his.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINE

JAINE

The O’Connell Home, Darling, New York

I lie backon my bed, fully dressed. I’m having a reflective sort of day over the shit show that is my life. I then think about the little wooden box with its morbid music.

What does it all mean? Does it relate to Molly’s demise or mine?

Am I the target? Fin? Irish? The O’Connell family? All of the above?

Aside from the approaches made to Lucifer’s men, nothing untoward has happened on the west coast since. If it is the same faction involved, they seem to be focusing their attention on what’s going on in New York, specifically in crossing my name off their hit list.

I answer my flashing phone, still wearing the same frown.

“How are you feeling, partner?”

“Melancholy.” I sigh.

“That good, huh?”

“Someone tried to kill me. How would you feel?”

“Did they, though? Do you know that for sure?”

“They took my hog so it wouldn’t give away my location. I think that speaks for itself.”

“I’m sorry about your bike, Jaine.”

“Not as much as I am. It was one of the happiest moments of my life when my pop passed me the keys to that classic on my eighteenth birthday.”

“Maybe it’ll still show up.”

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