Yelling at him might have made me feel better before I calmed down, but it surely won’t now. This is ridiculous. I have better things to do than go a round with Broderick. Especially since it feels like our friendship has been fracturing from the moment we arrived in Sabine Valley. Being here is doing a number on my head, but Broderick has to be feeling something similar. The last time he was in this city, all three factions came together in an attempt to kill him and his brothers. I wish I had more emotional capacity to be there for him right now, but I’m barely treading water as it is. Fighting with him is only going to make it worse. This was a mistake.

I shove to my feet, but it’s too late.

The door opens, and the man himself stalks into the room.

Chapter 8

Broderick

The last thing I expect when I get to my room is to find Shiloh waiting for me. Despite myself, my attention snags on the faint red marks on her mouth and neck from Monroe’s lipstick. Even through my rising irritation, heat surges hot enough to have me fighting my body’s reaction. Of course, I find the idea of them together attractive. They’re both gorgeous. I’m only human. It’s nothing more than that.

I clear my throat. I need to apologize. I know I need to apologize. I just have to find the words. “Shiloh. What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know.” She stands slowly. “I was very, very angry when I left the bar, but I’ve gotten a bit turned around since then.”

“I’m sorry.” I am. Truly. I never wanted to make her feel bad for anything, and she’s right—I don’t have a claim to her since we’re only friends. The reminder never used to feel like sandpaper beneath my skin. I respect our friendship. Putting Shiloh in an uncomfortable position because of my feelings is out of the question. And yet… I drag my hand over my face. “I might have been a bit out of line.”

“A bit?”

Heat flushes my face and neck, and I have the uncomfortable suspicion that I’m blushing. “Monroe makes me lose my cool.”

“Monroe,” she says the other woman’s name slowly, seeming to test it. “Yes, Monroe has a way of provoking people.” Except Shiloh doesn’t sound like she thinks that’s a bad thing.

“She’s trouble.”

“You’re right.” Just like that, the softening of Shiloh’s expression disappears. She crosses her arms over her chest. “Maybe if you stopped avoiding her and actually dealt with the situation, she would get into less trouble.”