Page 142 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“I’m his day-by-day sort of girlfriend,” I argue, knowing even the term girlfriend is stretching it these days.

“That still sounds like you don’t need an appointment.”

“Maybe I’ll call on ahead anyway.”

“You do whatever you feel you need to do but speak to him.”

“Okay!”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

I disconnect the call before making my way out of the office. I appreciate what Jessie’s saying, but it seems pointless. My gut’s telling me that Eoin’s already thrown in the towel where our relationship is concerned. I get that she says we need to communicate, but that’s easier said than done when I’m not the one who’s holding back.

I can only listen if he’s prepared to talk, and I think Eoin’s done talking.

Private Dining Room, Palace Hotel, Manhattan

“How have you been, Jaine?”

We’re in a private room in our regular overpriced, ostentatious haunt.

I smile at my handsome Mexican friend. “I’m doing fine, Rod. More importantly, how have you been? You’ve been frequenting New York quite a lot recently. It can’t just be to personally hand-deliver each Duster order. Is there something that keeps bringing you back to our concrete jungle, or should I say someone?” I smile as I raise an eyebrow at him while sipping my extortionately priced water.

“You legal types are always so inquisitive.”

I snort. “That’s what makes us so good at our jobs, and being good at my job is the key reason you hire me.”

That and the fact that he knows he can trust me with anything, illegal or otherwise.

“I may have met someone, but it’s extremely early days. Well, I may have met two women, actually.” A coy smile.

“A love triangle.” I raise my second eyebrow. “Take it from me. Those are never good places to be, at least not from the female’s perspective.”

I pause briefly. Rod normally brings up anything he’s heard on the outlaw grapevine. Has he learned about my near-death experiences at the house and at the church? Leo hasn’t mentioned anything, but that doesn’t mean others haven’t heard.

It’s unlikely La eMe would be involved, but you just never know. I trust Rod more than most people, but in this game, it pays never to trust anyone one hundred percent.

Trusting someone too much opens you up to being let down or killed.

“There’s no reason for you to be in that situation again now you’re dating your ex-husband.”

My smile is forced, which Rod doesn’t miss.

“Is all not well in paradise, Jaine?” It’s his turn to raise an eyebrow.

“Let’s just say, perhaps Eoin and I should have taken more time to learn from past mistakes rather than diving headfirst into the sea of second chances.”

“Salvageable?”

“Anything is salvageable. It all depends on how much you want it to work. Anyway, enough of our relationship woes. Do you have anything new to report?”

“Nope. Since the Colombians approached Lucifer’s men and he sent them packing, there’s been nothing. Have you still got the District Attorney on standby?”

I nod. “Nate is chomping at the bit. Not at doing his job per se, just at all the publicity it will attract for him.”

“He does like to have his mugshot in the press.”

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