Except…maybe this isn’t Monroe at all. Nothing’s been the same since coming back to Sabine Valley. Monroe might drive me up the wall, but I’ve been on edge since we put this plan into motion. She’s just savvy enough to identify my fault lines and drive a semi-truck right through it.
None of that means I’m going to let her run roughshod over one of the people I care about most in this world. “Stay away from her.”
“Mmm.” She trails a single finger down the center of my chest. “Even if I were inclined to do that—and I’m not—who’s going to tell Shiloh to stay away from me?” She hooks that wandering finger in the band of my pants and tugs. The tiniest of sensations, but I’m instantly hard as a rock. “Want to go a round, Broderick Paine? Your girl is sexy as hell when she comes, but she’s a selfish little thing.”
The fondness in her voice makes my blood pressure rise. It’s an act. It has to be. She’s just doing this to punish me. She’s willing to hurt Shiloh to fuck with me. “I’ll get her taken off your guard duty.”
Monroe smiles, slow and sure. “Might want to ask her what she thinks before you charge in all high-handed to save her.”
“I’m not going to let you fuck around with Shiloh in some misguided attempt to hurt me.” Shiloh’s only in Sabine Valley—in danger—because of her association with me and my family. It’s all too easy to draw the parallels between Shiloh and the people who died the night we were exiled. Just like that, the scent of smoke scorches my nose. So many fucking people died and their only crime was being associated with the Paine family.
Just like Shiloh is.
“I will not let you hurt her,” I repeat.
“Hurt her?” She raises her brows. “Silly man. Who said this had anything to do with you? I’m a woman with needs, and right now those needs include getting Shiloh naked and coming on my tongue. You don’t enter into the equation. Neither does hurting her—unless she’s into that sort of thing.”
“Liar.”
“You think so little of her that you really believe she’s not attractive enough to pull me? I can’t decide if that’s a compliment or an insult.” She tilts her head to the side. “I think it’s both—to both of us.”
“Listen to me, Monroe, because I will only say this once.” My voice is so low and rough, I hardly sound like myself. No, I sound like my brother Cohen right before he does something violent. The thought nearly shocks me back to myself. Or it would if Monroe weren’t so damned close. She’s still tugging on the band of my pants, and I wouldn’t put it past her to undo them right here.
I can picture it as clearly as I pictured fucking her over the bar earlier. Digging my hand into that mass of blond hair and driving her to her knees. Of finding the single way to keep her silent—by fucking that wicked mouth.
Damn it.
I’m out of control.
How does she do this? No one gets under my skin so thoroughly, let alone in seconds. “Stay the fuck away from Shiloh,” I repeat.
“You don’t get to make that decision.” The voice comes from behind me, light and clear and angry enough to singe.
The victorious smile on Monroe’s face is a perfect match to the sinking in my chest. Shit. I release the bar and take one long step from her, disengaging her hand from my pants. My cock is hard, but there’s not a lot I can do about it. Just another way I’ve lost control in the last few minutes. I turn to find Shiloh standing in the doorway. She looks angrier than I’ve ever seen her.
Gods, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her angry.
Normally she’s so easy to be around. Chill and constantly rolling with the punches that came from our group never being able to settle in one place. Her parents were nightmares, and she’s ended up on the exact opposite of that spectrum, choosing never to make waves.
I can’t remember a single time we’ve actually fought. I hold up my hands, trying to think past the swirling of sex and smoke and loss in my thoughts.
“Shiloh—”
“No.” She shakes her head. “You do not get to say my name in that tone of voice like I’m the one out of line. Are you and your Bride in a monogamous relationship?”
I clench my jaw. “That’s not the point. I’m only trying—”
“I asked you a question, Broderick Paine,” she snaps. “Are you and your Bride in a monogamous relationship?”
I take a step forward. Surely she, of all people, understands how dangerous this dance is? Monroe isn’t a normal woman. Yes, I’d feel jealous to see Shiloh starting something with someone else, but ultimately that’s not my call to make. We’re friends. But Monroe isn’t just someone else. She’s the enemy. She will use Shiloh and discard her the moment Monroe’s finished with her. I wouldn’t be a good friend if I just stood back and let it happen. Especially since the danger is my Bride. “Can’t you see that you’re falling right into her trap? This is her way of getting back at me.”
Shiloh’s tone goes absolutely frigid. “Because that’s the only way someone could want me. As a path to get to you.”
Too late, I realize my mistake. “That’s not what I meant.”
“That’s what you
