Page 192 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

Her jealousy made her reactive, and she said something she shouldn’t have to the Ruoccos, all because she was in love with me. Ace paid the ultimate price for her overreaction.

Eoin and I are back on speaking terms, but only after I sought the assurances I needed. It’s been confirmed that he was planning on marrying Molly until Jaine threw her last-minute curveball. Once they had taken the vows together, she then went on a crusade on my behalf to deliver karma personally.

He didn’t want to marry her. He reluctantly agreed to do so to protect my son. He had been infatuated with her, but in close proximity, he fell in love with her. I can’t fault him for that. I can’t blame him, either. We don’t get to choose who we fall in love with. She then proceeded to love him straight back.

Would they have stayed together after Jaine delivered her payback?

No, they wouldn’t have because her conscience and loyalty to me would never have allowed it. The only reason Jaine entered into a relationship with my brother was because she thought I condoned it. That I gave their union my blessing.

I didn’t.

It’s up to Jaine how she chooses to punish the sender of the twenty-word message. She knows who it is. All three of us do. The guilty party will have to wait for Jaine to return to New York before they’re served their comeuppance. They’re currently not aware she knows. That’s Jaine’s reveal.

It wasn’t Jaine’s fault. It wasn’t Eoin’s fault. It’s a simple case of the truth coming out after even more lies.

Eoin went on to save Fin’s life, resulting in him almost losing his own, and he’s since saved Jaine’s life four times and my own twice.

I owe him.

His betrayal saw me turn reactive. A reaction that would have led to me doing something I would have regretted for the rest of my life. Killing my own brother. I’m grateful Jaine intervened, even though I was pissed off with her at the time.

Jaine loves me. I love her.

Jaine loves Eoin. He loves her.

She can’t choose either of us while she’s on the run.

“Any news, Dyl?” I rest my head back against the sectional as I answer my vibrating phone.

“Nothing. Nate is starting to get agitated. The longer Luc is on the run, the more opportunity he has to set up something new. The risk to Jaine is also increasing daily.”

“Has he got any suggestions?”

“Yes, but she’s not going to like it.”

“Then we don’t tell her.”

“Do you think more lies and deceit are the answer?”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to draw a line under it while keeping her alive, Dylan. While Luc’s on the run, that means Jaine has no choice but to be. What’s Nate suggesting?”

“That you and Eoin go after her.”

I frown at the phone. “Surely that will just see her run faster and further? In her mind, we’ll be exposed if we’re anywhere near her.”

“As you say, she can’t run if she doesn’t know.”

“When she sees us, it’ll be the first thing she does.”

“By then, you’ll be close enough to follow. Nate thinks Luc is waiting for the Dusters to make a move. That it’s only a matter of time before either you or Eoin reach out to her. He’s as sure as he can be that if you follow her, Luc will follow you. That you’ll lead him straight to the prize.”

Nate’s got a point.

“Let me have a word with Eoin and see what he thinks. Where is she?”

“She’s on the west coast, trying to lure Luc as far away from New York as possible. If he wants her, he’s going to have to catch her. She knows he’ll go after her, so she’s deliberately trying to steer clear of the places and people she cares about. I think she’s hoping she’ll spot him first. Her only problem will be if he’s not alone.”

“The west coast is a large area. It’ll be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.”

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