Broderick: A Sabine Valley Novel Katee Robert (bts books to read txt) 📖

goes tight, but I muscle past the physical response and paste a smile on my face. “So Abel’s going to clean up your mess.” My laugh sounds a little hysterical, but I can’t help that. “Will it be poison, or will he shove me out a window? I’m assuming violence is out, because my mother would raze this fucking faction to the ground if she could prove you’d murdered me.”

Which means Winry would take over as heir.

The thought makes me sick. My little sister is brilliant and kind and loving, but she would wither away as the Amazon queen, having to sacrifice piece after piece of herself until she became just as cold and ruthless as our mother and I are. I don’t want that for her. She doesn’t want the role, either.

Shiloh spins to stare at Broderick. “He wouldn’t.”

“You know better. Abel only cares about establishing us here as securely as possible and the safety of our people. Monroe isn’t one of ours.”

“I can hear you.” I mean for it to come out jokingly, but the words fall flatly between us.

Shiloh clenches her fists. “No. Absolutely not. We might kill when we have to, but we don’t just murder people.” She narrows her eyes. “Especially when you’re choosing to avoid her. It’s not like she’s barricaded the door against you.”

“Still sitting right here,” I say.

Shiloh advances on Broderick, and I have to give him credit for holding his ground. I might even take a step back if she came at me with that look on her face. She pokes his chest. “Fix this right fucking now, Broderick.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do.” He exhales roughly. “It’s why I’m here. Why we’re having this conversation right now.”

Do either of them notice how close they are right now? His gaze drops to her mouth before he forcibly jerks it back to her eyes. Their determination to ignore the chemistry flaring hotly between them would make me laugh if I didn’t feel so sick to my stomach over the topic of this conversation.

Broderick looks at me. “Starting tonight, I’ll be staying here. That’s the first step, probably the most important. We’ll figure out the rest tomorrow.”

“One problem with that brilliant plan of yours.” I hold up a finger. “Shiloh also sleeps here.” She hadn’t been sharing a bed with me, preferring to sleep on the horribly uncomfortable-looking couch tucked up against the wall, but I was hoping tonight that would change. “You aren’t planning to kick her out just because you made an executive decision without speaking with either of us, were you?”

He opens his mouth, looks at me and then at Shiloh, and hesitates. Finally, Broderick says stiffly, “Do you have an alternate option?”

Yeah, that all three of us sleep in that massive bed together. I start to suggest exactly that, but Shiloh speaks first. “If you’re here, I don’t have to be. I’ll sleep in the barracks and circle back in the morning.” She starts for the door.

Yeah, I don’t think so.

“Shiloh.” I put enough snap in my tone to stop her in her tracks. She slowly turns to face me, and the redness spreading from her face down her neck is all the confirmation I need. She was just about to run from me. From us. I hold her gaze. “That is not a good solution, and you know it. All your stuff is here. It’s late, and mid-shift at that. Are you going to take someone away from their job to help you haul your shit to the barracks just because you’re scared of a little conversation between friends?”

She glares. “That’s not it.”

“Then stay the night, and we’ll discuss options in the morning at a reasonable hour.” A plan starts to come to life in the back of my mind, a wonderful, devious plan that will get all three of us exactly what we want.

For a moment, I think she’ll argue, but she finally nods. “Only for one night.”

Fuck that. I want them both, but if I have to choose right now, I choose her. “The couch is only big enough for one, so one of you will have to be in the bed with me.” I tug on the hem of my shirt as I consider options. For once, I’m not sure the best way to play this. If my ultimate goal is to seduce both of them into being a throuple, would it be better if Shiloh or Broderick shared the bed with me tonight? Since I don’t know, I can’t help poking them a little. “I could take the couch, of course. Since you’re so friendly, you shouldn’t have a problem sleeping together.”

“I’ll take the couch.” Broderick offers it without hesitation, barely letting me finish before he’s throwing himself on the first sword available on Shiloh’s behalf.

From the look on her face, she isn’t pleased with either of us. “I will take the couch. If you really want to prove you’re ready to start treating Monroe like a Bride, this is a good place to start.”

He hesitates but finally nods. “I’m going to get a few of my things. I’ll be right back.”

Shiloh’s shoulders slump a little as he leaves the room. They’re so fucking transparent, it irritates me. I flip my hair off my shoulder. No time like the present to put my plan into motion. “So, you and Broderick are just friends.”

“Yes.” She sounds so wary, I almost smile. She’s smart enough to sense a trap, but I’m not going to give her a chance to avoid it.

“Are you sure?” I give her a concerned look. “He’s really sexy. You haven’t even thought about it? Felt a spark? Anything?”

“No,” she says firmly. Too firmly to be anything but a lie.

Gotcha. I finally allow myself to smile. “In that case, you won’t mind if I fuck him tonight. Since I’m his Bride and all.” I lean forward and lick my lips. “I promise to make it up to you in the morning. I’ve been