Page 216 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

“Because now I’ve been asked to choose between them.”

She stares at me, the enormity of what she’s done now clear on her face. She knows I would never have moved forward with Eoin without Padraig’s blessing in the same way I would never move forward with Irish without Eoin’s blessing.

“So tell me, Ma Duster. Are you going to take an impossible decision out of my hands for a second time? Are you going to tell me which of your sons I should choose and which I should break the heart of?” I walk over so I’m standing right in front of her. “Because do you know what you didn’t stop to consider when you were sending that message? The deceitful one sent to convince me to enter into a relationship with Eoin to fit in with your grand Duster plans?” I lean over until my mouth is right beside her ear. “The fact that Irish was always going to come back, and then the truth would come out.”

I stand upright and walk toward the door before stopping and looking over my shoulder. “No more lies. No more secrets. And might I suggest that you spill your own? Your sons have a right to know they have a big brother. And don’t pretend you don’t know exactly who he is because I’ve done my digging, and I know you’ve had access to the same files.”

I slam the front door on my way out.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-TWO

PADRAIG

Padraig’s Apartment, Hudson Yards, New York

“So,you know now about the message Ma sent from your phone.”

Dylan sounds sheepish, which means he’d already worked out who sent it.

“Jaine mentioned it moments after she stopped me from shooting our big brother in the head. She said that I’d given my blessing to their union. I would never have willingly given my approval to the love of my life being with my brother.”

“I’m sorry, Paddy. I suspected it was Ma as soon as Jaine showed me the message. The fact that it was sent from your old number was a dead giveaway, given that the handset was still in New York. I never mentioned anything because they had fallen in love with each other, and I thought you were happy with Sophia.” His guilty voice fades away.

“It doesn’t matter now. Even if Jaine hadn’t entered into a relationship with Eoin, she was still in love with him by that point, so it changes nothing. The damage was already done.”

“True. I think Ma’s well and truly learned her lesson. Apparently, Jaine went around and had a right go at her.”

“She had every right, Dyl. Our family’s been trying to manipulate her life to suit their own purposes for over three years. Ma should consider herself lucky Jaine never pointed a gun at her skull and pulled the trigger.”

“I think she realizes that. Anyway, what’s next?”

“Who knows? Jaine and I had a nice time on our date. I’m guessing she also had a pleasant enough time with Eoin.” He’ll know full well that I’m digging. It’s not like I can ask Eoin direct.

“I’m not so sure their date was such a resounding success. He told her in no uncertain terms that he would never be able to change his ways and that she’d have to accept him for what he is. Possessive and protective.”

“At least he was honest.”

“I guess. Jessie was asking what Lucifer spoke to you and him about. She’s tried to prize the information out of her da, but he’s not prepared to discuss it.”

“Let’s just say he mentioned something that I’m receptive to. Whether the same can be said for Eoin is a different matter. Whether we’re willing or not, the final decision would rest with Jaine, although I’m starting to think she may just hightail it back to Rising so she can get as far away from our fucked-up family as possible.”

“And who can blame her?”

“Did Ma mention anything else?”

“Just that Jaine told her about the duel and the fact that it left her with no option but to reveal her alter-ego to Eoin as much as she was reluctant to.”

“And still, he won’t turn the protection down a notch?”

“Can you blame him, Paddy? He loves her, and he’s had to save her life four times recently. She’ll be running out soon.”

“I’m sure they could find a workable solution if they tried.”

“I’m sure they could if each were prepared to compromise. But everything’s black and white with those two. They go out of their way to be deliberately obtuse with each other.”

“I think they just enjoy winding each other up.”

“I think you’re right. Neither will back down, and it’s not because they can’t. It’s because they don’t want to. I reckon they both get off on the angry sex.”

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