Page 228 of Dirty Padraig: Dirty Dusters

I will never be able to.

I’m not sure I’ve ever read a fairytale where the happily ever after sees the princess end up with the princeandthe future king.

Maybe it’s time for a retelling.

My phone vibrates once more. I roll my eyes with a smile, thinking it’ll be Jessie.

Eoin:Can you meet me at the local park at noon?

I stare at the message, my guts immediately telling me this isn’t a good sign.

Say no, Jaine.

Jaine:I’ll be there.

Fool.I haven’t spoken to either of them since my unscheduled visit to Duster HQ. What else was there to say? They asked me to choose. I couldn’t. How do you choose between the man you love and the man you love?

You can’t.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-SIX

PADRAIG

Weeks Earlier

The Angels of Hellfire Clubhouse, Rising, California

We keepthings light-hearted until we’re sure Jaine’s out of earshot. We have to respect the fact that she doesn’t want to be party to this conversation. At least not yet.

The small talk eventually evaporates. We then sit in silence, staring at Lucifer across the walnut table. Was it Jaine he came here to see today or Eoin and me? I reckon we’re just about to find out.

“Jessie’s told me what’s been going on.”

“You’ll have to be more specific, Lucifer.” Eoin makes a fair point.

“That Jaine’s in love with you both.”

“I’m not sure what business that is of….”

“She’s my daughter. That’s what business it is of mine!” He slams his hand down on the tabletop before closing his eyes and muttering, no doubt annoyed with himself at his over-reaction.

“I want to know what your intentions are. She’s been through enough with Ace. I don’t want to see her suffer any more.”

“She’s been asked to choose between us,” I answer this time.

“I thought so,” he grumbles.

“What does that mean?” Eoin frowns.

“I came here today because I wanted the chance to explain what happened between me and Jaine’s mom.”

So it was Eoin and me that he came here to see. Jessie or Dylan must have let him know we’d be paying a visit. Neither of us replies. We wait for him to continue. I watch as he runs a hand down his beard. He looks exhausted.

Who can blame him?

He must be worried sick about her, given she’s currently on the run from my brother-in-law.

“Jaine’s mom, Paula… was the love of my life.”

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