Jasper gives me a long look and then glances over my shoulder to where I can practically feel Broderick drilling a hole in the back of my head. “Your groom is spiraling.”

“Pity. I can’t imagine why.”

Instead of laughing like I expect him to, he sighs. “I’m not one to tell you how to go about your business, Monroe. Aisling has taught you well, and you’re more than ready to take over running the faction.”

I raise my brows. “I’m sensing a but coming.”

“But.” He lowers his voice. “You can’t afford to underestimate the Paines. You were still so damn young when they were run out of town. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.”

I blink. Of all the people I might have expected to underestimate me, Jasper never numbered among them. He’s the perfect Amazon, especially when it comes to supporting the women in the family. “It’s not like you were that much older than me, Grandfather Time. You were only twenty-two.”

“Old enough to make decisions I regret.”

I wonder about that. Best I can tell, he’s been pretty damn happy with Beatrix of the Mystics for the last eight years. No one on the outside looking in would begin to guess that he still had unresolved feelings for Ezekiel Paine.

That’s personal, though.

“I was briefed on the history,” I finally say. For all that I was technically named second-in-command when the coup happened, the truth is more complicated. I spent most of that year being run ragged while learning the ropes of the company my mother is CEO of. It wasn’t until later that I was also trained on some of the more brutal aspects of running our faction. I didn’t know the assault on the Paine family was going down until after it had already happened.

I never thought to be grateful for that, but I find myself exhaling slowly all the same.

Still, Jasper’s lack of faith hurts. “I can take care of myself.” I glance from him to Winry. “I’m more worried about you two. Your pairings are both…not ideal.”

“I have it under control.” They say it together and then share a rueful look.

Jasper clears his throat. “Obviously being Ezekiel’s Bride is challenging, but it’s fine.”

Winry tucks her hair behind her ears. She’s blushing again. “Cohen is an asshole, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”