Page 149 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“Does not belong in the bedroom. A bedroom is not a place for social media, for television, or for distractions of any kind. A bedroom is for sleeping or fucking.”

I watch her neck redden as her then flustered hands clumsily drop the bag on the coffee table.

She’s aroused.

At least that makes one of us.

CHAPTERFORTY-NINE

JAINE

Padraig’s Apartment, Hudson Yards, New York

It’stypical of the Dusters that they own the apartment directly below the penthouse. They did at Dylan’s too. That’s the one Jessie bought and still owns.

I came dressed as my alter-ego. The only difference is I’m wearing my biker jacket, having left my puffer in the back of Irish’s car.

I’m also armed, but it’s a Glock instead of a rifle. I don’t expect to have to put it to any use, but from experience, I know it’s always safer to expect the unexpected.

Burner. Check. Newly purchased night goggles. Check. Download device plus spare. Check.

Putting in one ear pod, I quickly pull a balaclava over my face. Dylan can see and control everything inside Irish’s apartment. Apparently, Padraig had switched off the security function, but Dyl sneaked back in today and set it all back up again. The only place he can’t see inside is the bedrooms, for obvious reasons.

As soon as he told me this, I immediately thought of me and Eoin.

Does the same apply to his apartment? We fucked everywhere. Sometimes we barely made it inside the front door.

Maybe it’s not something you need for balance, but someone.

What did Duke mean by that exactly?

Jesus, Jaine. Now’s not the time. Plus, he’s an asshole. He cheated on you. You witnessed it with your own eyes,” I chide myself as I welcome the familiar feeling of rage that descends when I think of him these days.

“Can you hear me, Dylan?”

“Loud and clear.”

Closing the door of the empty apartment, I make my way to the elevator. “Where are they?”

“They’ve just gone into the bedroom.”

I pause as I digest that unwelcome information.

“Can you see me?”

“You’re the ninja walking toward the elevator.”

I chuckle. “That’s me. You remember the plan?”

“Unlock the door. As soon as you get inside, switch off all the lights apart from inside the main bedroom, that’s if they’re still on. Have you got the device?”

“Got it. Are you sure it will crack the code? I don’t want to get there only to find I need Sophia’s thumb. I’m sure it will ruin the moment if I interrupt to hack it off.”

“It will do everything it needs to. You just have to plug it into the charging point on the phone. Best of luck, Jaine.”

I raise my arm with my own thumb up to confirm all is understood and also to let him know there’s to be no further communication.

We both know the risks. I don’t need any distractions.

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