This is all Monroe. She’s pissed I’ve been avoiding her, so she decided to get my attention. To mess with Shiloh to get to me. I know Shiloh is capable and independent, but obviously Monroe’s pulled some particularly shady moves because they were obviously up close and personal just now. I will not go down this rabbit hole. Except, it’s too late, I’m already there and nothing makes sense, and I barely understand my own reactions to it.

Shiloh won’t look at me as they head in my direction, but Monroe puts a swing in her step. “Hello, husband.”

“I’m not your husband.”

“Well, I’m your Bride, so calling you Groom is a little stiff.” She flicks a glance at the front of my pants, where the fit is feeling a little tight right now. “Since when do you play chauffeur?”

“Since it was you two who needed the ride.” I tried to avoid it, but Maddox overrode my excuses. I glance at Shiloh. “Are you okay?” She seems okay, but if I misread this and Monroe held her down and smeared her lipstick all over Shiloh’s skin…

Fuck, I really don’t want to think about my reaction to that, either.

That gets her to look at me, but it takes me several long beats to recognize her expression. She’s…angry. She pulls her hair tie out and drags her hand through her hair. “Contrary to what some people think, I’m more than capable of taking care of myself—and making my own decisions.” She strides out of the bar without looking back.

Monroe’s throaty laugh has been haunting my dreams. Even so, the memory doesn’t come close to living up to reality. “Wow. You managed to stick your foot in your mouth within thirty seconds without any help from me. Impressive.”

“I just want her safe. That’s not a bad thing.” I don’t mean to say it, but of course she capitalizes on it the second I do.

She laughs again. “You really are a fool when it comes to her. It would be irritating if it weren’t so useful.”

I spin on her, backing her against the bar and planting my hands on either side of her body. As much as I hate to admit it, she looks good. The overwhelming desire to shred her clothes with my bare hands and bend her over the bar nearly takes my breath away. What the fuck is wrong with me? This woman is a poison in my blood, and now she’s expanding that to my friendship with Shiloh, too. We were already on rocky ground without Monroe swinging in on a wrecking ball to shatter us irreparably.