Page 159 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

Padraig:Jaine?

Jaine:Yes.

Padraig:Come home, darlin’.

Jaine:That’s part of the problem, Irish. I don’t have a home anymore.

Tears prick my eyes at my reality. I blink them back as I stare up at the night sky and let out a loud sigh. I have nowhere else to go apart from the O’Connell home.

I decide to make a detour on my way.

CHAPTERFIFTY-TWO

PADRAIG

The O’Connell Home, Darling, New York

Hours have passed,and there’s still been no sign of Jaine.

What else can we expect?

She was told earlier today that, in a roundabout way, she was responsible for Ace’s death. How does the family expect her to react?

Eoin has tried getting in touch with her, but she’s not answered any of his calls, nor has she returned them. I can see the shadows under his eyes. He looks like he hasn’t slept properly in weeks, and he most likely hasn’t.

It’s partly his own fault. This is where it all falls down between the pair of them. I appreciate that Jaine has almost perished a couple of times recently, but it’s par for the course in this life. He’s trying to dictate terms to her, and it’s causing endless arguments. He’d be better off saving his breath.

The caveman approach doesn’t work with Jaine. She’s self-sufficient because she’s had to be her whole life. He needs to relax the reins a little, but no matter how hard he tries, he can’t. He loves her so much that he’s scared to face a life without her in it.

I get it.

He’s never felt this way about a woman before, but it doesn’t matter what anyone says. Love isn’t enough. I should know. I’ve loved Jaine Jones for years, and it’s made no difference. She’ll still never be mine.

And what’s the point in having someone like her anyway if you’re just going to lock her in an ivory tower?

“I’m going to head off,” I say to no one in particular, as no one’s really paying me any attention. Everyone’s still too shell-shocked. They’re all too worried about Jaine and her whereabouts, which is perfectly understandable.

She’s a big girl. She’ll turn up in her own time and under her own steam when she’s good and ready, so there’s no point in pacing the floor or worrying unduly unless a significant amount of time has passed.

No decisions can be made on how to proceed with what’s been unearthed by Dylan and Jessie. Jaine’s already mentioned that Nathan Hawke is involved. We need to know how to handle things while considering the sizable bite he’ll expect from the Ruocco cherry.

I’ve already messaged Sophia to say something came up today and had no response. It’s not like her. I’m worried it’s a sign that something’s about to kick off. That somehow, the Ruoccos know that her phone’s been breached. At this stage, there’s no point in worrying anyone else with my suspicions.

Eoin makes eye contact with me briefly, then looks away. He’s hiding something. I suspect it’s to do with Jaine. Surely, it can’t be that bad? He should just get it off his chest. I have no more secrets. Well, aside from the one where I’m in love with Jaine, and she doesn’t know. But I reckon that’s one I’ll need to take to the grave with me.

I’ve already given my brother the green light where she’s concerned. I can’t very well backpedal now. It’s up to him not to blow it with her.

I silently make my way outside, breathing the cold night air into my lungs as soon as the door has closed behind me.

Am I finally off the hook?

I’m not too sure any of us are while the Ruoccos are still at large. Despite being mobsters, we can’t just rush in all guns blazing. Da’s right. Luciano likely has a bigger army behind him than he’s been letting on. They could quickly scatter to the wind if we’re not careful.

I’m sure Nate will have a plan that sees Luc blamed for their downfall as opposed to the Dusters, provided, as Jaine mentioned, that he gets to drag the leading man himself through court.

As for my Sicilian wife? She lied. I didn’t take her purity after all, so in the end, I owe her nothing.

In return for her attacks against Jaine and my son, I’ve decided I’m going to take her on a date night. Better late than never, I guess.

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