I stare at my brother, not sure what the fuck I’m supposed to say. He knows it, too. Abel is many things, but he’s not a fool. His dark gaze flicks to the door at my back as a particularly loud moan sounds. “Monroe and…Shiloh?”

“Yes.”

He raises his eyebrows a fraction of an inch. “Interesting. Not surprising, but interesting.”

That overrides my desire to be literally anywhere else. “What are you talking about? Shiloh’s a good girl. It’s surprising as fuck.”

Abel snorts. “You’ve always had tunnel vision when it comes to that woman. She’s not an innocent, and Monroe might be a gigantic pain in the ass, but she’s magnetic.”

“Monroe’s also happy to stick it to you however she can.” Eli doesn’t look up from his phone. “No wonder she’s set her eyes on Shiloh.”

“No one fucking asked you.”

Abel gives me a long look as if weighing the venom in my voice. I know I should tone it down, should just let shit go, but I don’t know how to. I don’t even know where to begin. “He’s right.”

“I’m aware of that,” I grit out.

“Then stop fucking around and handle your business.” He glances down the hall and then back at me. “Everyone knows you’re sleeping in one of the spare bedrooms because you’re scared of your Bride.”

“I’m not—”

“It makes us look weak.”

I welcome the surge of anger and push off the door. “Who the fuck are we looking weak to, Abel? It’s no one’s business where I sleep.”

“Wrong.” He slides his hands into his pockets, every inch the arrogant prick. “All of our brothers are doing their duty—except you. You don’t think Monroe’s running to tell her mother how weak the Paine brothers are when the man she’s handfasted to avoids her? When he can’t fucking handle her?” Abel shakes his head slowly. “You know better.”

He’s right. I hate that he’s right. “Mind your own goddamned business.”

“This is my business. I didn’t fight and win so you could get cold feet now. Handle your shit, Broderick. Or I’ll do it for you.”

My verbal brakes disappear. “Won’t your happy little relationship go up in smoke if you fuck Monroe? That’d be a shame.”