Page 152 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“So, Sophia and Luc are involved?”

“We don’t want to count our chickens until we have all the facts, but it’s looking that way.”

“And when will you know for sure?”

“Give us twenty-four hours. There’s a lot of data to go through.”

“What you saved me from yesterday, Sophia will now expect to take place today.”

“I appreciate that, Paddy. We’re going as fast as we can. We have to be completely certain.”

“Can I help in any way?”

“There is one thing you can do.”

“Anything.”

“Pray.”

“Consider it done.”

“One other thing, Paddy.”

I know what he’s going to say before he says it.

“You need to have that conversation with Eoin. It’s time for everything to be out in the open once and for all. No more secrets.”

CHAPTERFIFTY-ONE

JAINE

The O’Connell Home, Darling, New York

I stareat the twin metal pipes of the brand-new Harley Davidson Softail in all-black that’s parked up in front of me. I then inhale the welcome smell of leather and grease.

My biker soul is itching to sit astride the custom-made machine, turn the keys, watch the pipes vibrate with exhaust fumes, and then ride off into the sunset.

“Who sent it?”

I turn my attention to Dylan. In the absence of anyone else being at home, he drew the short straw and had to come to take delivery. He called as soon as he realized what it was.

“Your fiancé.”

I turn to look at him. He’s wearing grey sweatpants and tatty sneakers. His white t-shirt is crumpled, making it look like he’s slept in it. He probably has. Going by the dark circles around his eyes he’s been up all night working on the data from Sophia’s phone.

“He hasn’t told you that he cheated on me? That I walked into his office and found him locking lips with his PA?”

I watch as shock registers on his face.

“I guess not.”

I toss the keys at him, and he catches them with one hand. “I can’t accept it. Not from him. There’s no forgiving what he’s done.”

He doesn’t speak. Given how close he and Eoin are these days, I’m surprised he doesn’t already know. Then again, maybe Eoin’s pulling back from Dylan too now.

“That stays between you and me. It’s for your big brother to announce the news to the rest of the family.”

He nods slowly.

---