Page 155 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

He looks between Eoin and me. Then his gaze returns to me. “As we already suspected, we were all targeted at Paddy’s wedding. The Ruoccos’ thought process was that if the entire O’Connell family were wiped out after Paddy and Sophia said, ‘I do,’ Paddy would instantly become Da Duster, making Sophia Ma Duster. They made a second attempt right here at the house, as we all know. Both attempts were thwarted thanks to the timely intervention of The Exterminator.”

“And Eoin,” I add.

Well, it’s true. He may be a cheating asshole, but he saved my life while taking out the third sniper.

“That’s when they decided to focus their attention on the contract with Paddy. A contract he had no option but to agree to after they issued a veiled threat toward Jaine.”

I stare at Irish. He stares at me.

“Paddy, why didn’t you say something?” Fergal sounds pained more than pissed that Irish has had to carry yet another burden on behalf of his family. On behalf of me.

“I couldn’t let anything happen to Jaine, And it would have changed nothing, Da, so there seemed little point.” His gaze never leaves mine.

“One of the contract conditions was that Padraig would have to oblige them with a Duster heir. Although, there’s nothing to say they wouldn’t have gone after the entire family once the child was born, including Paddy himself, but that’s just speculation on my part.”

“Can we see this contract?” Cillian asks.

Dylan turns to look at him. “That’s up to Paddy. It’s his business, so it’s up to him if he wants to disclose it.” He then swings his attention back to me. “Sophia obviously decided that she wanted payback for the comment you made three years ago, hence the attack on your life. She was also aware of Fin’s true parentage hence the attack on his.”

“What did you say three years ago?” Everyone swings their attention to Irish as he stares at me once more.

“That’s Jaine’s personal business and for her to disclose or otherwise, Paddy,” Dyl replies on my behalf this time.

“So, if they’re the silent faction behind the trafficking business, that means that the Ruoccos are inadvertently responsible for the death of Rafael Flores and the near death of Delaney.” It’s what I already suspected.

Dylan nods. “It would also make them responsible for my and Eoin’s brush with death in Nevada. When I was saved by Jessie.” He smiles across at her before looking at me once more. “And Eoin by The Exterminator.”

I can immediately feel three sets of knowing eyes on me, which I ignore. My secret will be revealed to the O’Connell masses soon enough, but it’s not a reveal for today.

“Their suggestion that they need to promote a family image to encourage quality high rankers is nothing more than a bloody ploy,” Fergal mutters more to himself than aloud. We all wait for him to continue. “They want a child to gain access to our loyalty, our resources, and our wealth, nothing more. If they’ve been formed as an organization all this time, my concern is this nameless faction of theirs is far larger and more established than they’ve been letting on.”

Padraig nods. “I mentioned the initial contract to Luciano. The fact that it was potentially signed under false pretenses, as his role with the Cosa Nostra was limited even back then. He didn’t confirm or deny it, which makes me think the same.”

Fergal slams his hand on the table beside him. I can understand why. He and Roisin have welcomed a family to join with theirs through the sacred sanctity of marriage. It turns out the family they embraced had been planning to kill them off the entire time so they could claim their Duster empire as their own.

If the only survivors were Sophia and her child, they would potentially inherit everything after any claims were settled against the estate by the rest of the O’Connell family that is. Notwithstanding, the child, if he were a boy, would instantly become Da Duster. A puppet to be forever controlled by the Ruoccos.

I listen as they all mumble between themselves. While this is all well and good, I need to know my own truth.

“What about Ace?”

The room falls silent once more. I already know what he’s going to say.

Dylan frowns. “The data revealed that Luciano was visiting with the Colombians around the time of Ace’s… you know. Anyway, it’s not concrete, but we strongly suspect he may have been the second sniper. There were several references made to him avenging his sister around the date.”

I can feel the blood drain from my face. Ace died because of a throwaway comment I made three years ago.

“Jaine.” I glance at Roisin, the guilt evident on her face. She antagonized Sophia. She made her hate me even more. She’ll feel responsible. But it’s not her fault. It’s mine.

Ace’s blood is on my hands.

I don’t remember standing. I don’t remember going to the safe space to change into my biker attire, either.

What I do remember is turning the keys in the ignition of the gleaming new Softail and leaving.

* * *

It’sthe first time I’ve ever been here during daylight hours.

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