Page 204 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

Disbelief. Realization. Gratitude. There’s a plethora of emotions that cross Fergal O’Connell’s face all at once.

“All this time, it’s been you.” It’s not a question, it’s a statement of fact.

We stare at each other. More hushed whispers. I know it will take time for everyone to digest this breaking news. We both turn our heads simultaneously as an agitated Luciano starts swinging around on the chain that’s keeping him suspended. I can feel his fury as he stares at the individual responsible for thwarting his plans.

Irish walks across and passes me a dagger.

“He may not be Julius Caesar, darlin’, and it may not be the Ides of March, but we’ve agreed between us that everyone deserves to have a hand in this fucker’s demise.”

I look around. We’re all holding identical weapons. I glance at Jessie once more. I know she’s not a natural-born killer. Not like the rest of us.

“Are you sure?” I ask her.

She nods. “I’m sure. He tried to kill my sister, and for that, he has to pay.”

Jones & Associates Legal, Upper East Side, New York

Perhaps you need to have a heart-to-heart with both of them.

Tim’s advice echoes around my head as I half-listen to Jessie on the other end of the line. It’s been two days since Luciano met his abrupt end, and I’ve still had no direct contact with Eoin or Padraig.

“Are you even listening to a word I’m saying, partner?”

“Of course I am. You said something about the IRS.”

“What did I say exactly?”

“Truthfully? I switched off as soon as you mentioned them. Sorry, Jessie. My head’s all over the place these days.”

“Being in love with one of those O’Connell boys will do that to you. I can only imagine what it must be like being in love with two of them.” She sighs sympathetically. “Can I suggest something, Jaine?”

“I’m all ears.”

“Can I suggest, now that the danger’s passed, that you spend some time with each of them and do something normal? I know thatnormalisn’t really in your vocabulary, but can you at least try to be a mere mortal like the rest of us for just one day?”

I chuckle.

“I know you did normal when you were younger with Paddy, but that was twelve years ago. You’ve both changed since then. And with Eoin? Well, you and he have never done anything remotely normal. Everything was mind games, and since then, all you’ve ever done is bicker and, well, you know.”

“Fuck.”

“That’s it.”

“Is this exercise in normalcy meant to help me decide?”

“Unless you’ve got any better ideas.”

“The choice has already been made for me, Jessie,” I say quietly.

“What do you mean?”

“Irish doesn’t love me.”

She snorts. “I’m sorry, but I must be hearing things. I thought you just said that Padraig O’Connell doesn’t love you.”

“He doesn’t. Or at least he’s never said as much.”

“He had to pretend to be in love with Sophia, Jaine.”

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