Page 171 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“It’s a long story and one that’s not important for now.”

As soon as he keys in the location, Cillian takes off out of the car park like a bat out of hell.

We’re four brothers who put family first. Always. What Jaine doesn’t realize is that sheisfamily, and we always look after our own.

This is her Swan song.

She was never going to go without making her final mark on our outlaw world. Nate obviously needed more to be able to take down the leader of the no longer faceless faction. Jaine is delivering him just that, even if it means paying with her own life.

I turn to look at Eoin. Even in the darkness of the vehicle, I can feel it, and it brings a small smile to my face.

Foolish hope? Yup. He relies on it too.

CHAPTERFIFTY-SIX

JAINE

Unknown Location

I’ve knownfor a while that I was living on borrowed time.

Having been blindfolded and tossed in the back of a van, I had no choice but to roll around the floor for what seemed like hours. I felt every bump in the road, and I’m no doubt displaying a bruise for each.

I was grateful when it came to a standstill and the engine cut off. My final destination has now been reached. My crime? Having been loved by Padraig O’Connell and choosing to rub his fiancée’s face in it three years ago.

Still, there are no do-overs in this life. I’ll gladly meet my maker, knowing Ace’s killer will finally be behind bars with the Riker’s Island clock ticking down until he meets his own end.

I hear the doors of the vehicle open. I don’t struggle when they pull me from the back or complain when my knees collide with the ground. I inhale the pungent smell of earth infused with the familiar scent of petrichor.

The latter reminds me of home.

Tears prick my eyes, but I don’t give in to them. I won’t give the Ruoccos the satisfaction of watching me crumble.

It’s undergrowth. Woodland. A bullet in the skull and thrown in a shallow grave is my thinking. Maybe they’ll even make me dig it first.

The blindfold is ripped from my eyes, and I blink against the harsh light. The vehicle engine has been cut, but the headlights remain lit so they can see what they’re doing.

There are two goons with Luciano now. He won’t want to get his manicured hands dirty. The fourth person present is Sophia.

I stare at her as she smiles smugly at me.

“It’s good to see you, Jaine.”

“Is it?”

“You’re looking… well.”

She glances over my appearance. I’m aware my clothes stink of smoke, and my face is no doubt swollen after the backhanders I received from Luciano. I can still see out of my right eye, but only just. If I were to live until tomorrow, my eye would have closed up completely.

But I won’t live until tomorrow.

She strikes without warning—another backhander. I remain silent as the pain radiates across my jaw. She’ll get hers tenfold in the next life.

“What shall we do with her, sister?” Luciano already sounds bored.

She chuckles. “Why, kill her, of course.”

I watch as he pulls out a Glock from inside his jacket.

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