Page 176 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“I’m in his good books. His opposite number on the west coast was able to intercept a lorry load of trafficked victims last night, thanks to Luc spilling his guts. I’m guessing the Punishers MC will be no more, given they were responsible for handling the logistics.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“The Ruoccos were behind everything, Dyl. In the end, they had abandoned their Duster heir idea. Their new plan was to kill Irish and steal his wealth, hence the fire.”

“How on earth were you able to communicate with Nate?”

“I never expected to see the light of day again, so I threw both my phones in the boating lake, then swallowed the recording device he’d given me. He needed a confession. I got him one. He also needed the contents of Luc’s phone. You got that for him.”

“Teamwork.”

“As always, Batman.” I pause briefly. “I’m sorry, Dylan. I was so hellbent on ending my pain and protecting my kids. I never stopped to consider how my actions would affect anyone else.”

“I felt responsible, Jaine. I should have reassured you.” His voice breaks, and it causes tears to spring to my eyes. Dylan is the opposite of Irish. He seldom gets emotional.

“You thought they were gone too, so how could you? You were dealing with your own grief. I had just reached the end of my tether with it all. I couldn’t see any other way out. I was putting everyone at risk—even my children. What Nate needed meant sending someone on a suicide mission. It made sense to kill two birds with one stone. It was me they wanted, after all.” I pause again. “How is Irish?”

“He’s fine. He’s been asking after you. He’s still feeling the effects of the smoke inhalation and has been placed on a very exciting diet of water and oxygen.” He laughs.

“Eoin went back for him because I made him promise.” I can hear the guilt in my voice.

“He went back for him because he’s his big brother, Jaine, and that’s what big brothers do. You asking that of him would have made no difference.”

“How is he?”

“His hands are a mess, but it’s superficial in the main.”

“Will they scar?”

“I’m not sure.” He chuckles. “Don’t worry. He won’t be bothered. Contrary to what you may think, Eoin isn’t vain.”

“No, he’s just a cheater,” I bite back.

There’s a pause.

“Can I ask what it is you actually saw?”

“Him and Candice. Standing so close you couldn’t have gotten a sheet of paper between them, and her hands were in his hair.”

“It’s quite common for women to get up close and personal with Eoin, Jaine, even more so at social events. He is what most would call an eligible bachelor.”

Jealousy flares through me. “This was in his office, and I’ve never seen it happen at any event,” I snap.

“You’ve never attended many where you and he were both in attendance, and you pair never did anything socially….”

“Because we spent all our time arguing, falling out, and having make-up sex.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself. So much so….”

“We never did anything remotely normal.” I interrupt once more. “Like take a photograph together,” I whisper.

“Never?”

“Not even one. And it was my biggest regret. I had the photo of the kids, of Ace and me, of Irish and me. They were all in my back pocket. All I wanted was to have one of me and Eoin beside them, but in all the time we were together, we never did anything normal like just taking a photo together.” My voice breaks.

“Speaking of photos, Jaine. He saw the one in your phone case. The one of you and Paddy.”

I exhale loudly, knowing that it would have gone down like a lead balloon.

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