Maddox nods. “Aisling’s been calling Winry regularly, and while they don’t appear to be talking about anything important, Winry is becoming more and more stressed out by those conversations.” His gaze goes flinty, but I can’t tell if it’s because of Winry’s distress or Aisling’s machinations. Maybe it’s both.
“You think it’s code.”
He shrugs. “I don’t know if it’s as refined as that, but there are obviously layers that we’re missing. It could be the same with Aisling and Monroe.”
I think back over all the times Aisling has come into Monroe’s office and gone over things or attended meeting after meeting. Could something have slipped into those interactions without my noticing? It’s more than likely, especially since I try to avoid Aisling as much as I can.
I frown. “It’s possible. Probable even. Monroe has one hell of a poker face.” At least when she’s not coming all over my hands and face. She didn’t bother to hide her delight or desire even once when we were in bed last night.
“Shiloh?”
I realize I’m blushing, but there’s no way to combat it. I clear my throat. “I’ll keep an ear out for anything that might be out of the ordinary. Do you want me to wear a wire?”
“No.” Cohen shakes his head. “We don’t have the manpower to listen back through, and even if we did, you’re more likely to pick up on stuff than someone is over a recording. You spend most of your time with her and in that building.”
It’s not an accusation. It’s pure fact. They assigned me to keep watch over Monroe, and that’s what I’m doing. The only reason for the guilt threatening to choke me is my own conscience. Monroe has gone to my head in a way I never could have anticipated. “Do you think they’re planning something? Even with the hostages involved?”
“We can’t afford to assume anything.” Cohen’s expression doesn’t change. There’s no indication of the rattled man I spoke to earlier. It’s comforting, in a way. At least this is back to normal.
I’m going to have to face the consequences for the move I pulled last night with Monroe and Broderick. There’s no way around it. I still can’t quite believe I went there. I’m still so fucking angry. It doesn’t make sense. Broderick might be acting like a jerk and being high-handed, but he’s always been overprotective of me. And, frankly, Monroe just offered to murder an entire town for me. I don’t understand why her words, while shocking, didn’t fill me with any anger at all. Broderick, on the other hand, makes me want to shove him out a window these days.
It's Sabine Valley. It has to be, because the only other option is that our friendship is ruined beyond repair, and I can’t handle the thought of that being true.
“Shiloh?” Maddox shifts. “You good? You seem…off.”
As much as I want to lie to him, Maddox has known me so long, he’ll see right through the deception. I sigh. “It’s personal.”
He narrows his eyes. The man is too smart by half, and if he seems like the kinder, gentler half of Cohen, it’s only surface-deep. He’s just as ruthless and just as willing to make the unpopular, hard calls if it serves the mission. “Is it—”
The door opens behind me before he can finish. I tense, half expecting Broderick to come barreling through and start spouting high-handed nonsense again, but it’s Ezekiel. He’s wearing slacks, a tank top, and suspenders. And…nothing else. On anyone else, that would be a complete outfit. For Ezekiel, with his fondness for three-piece suits, he’s practically naked. Even his red hair is mussed, and his full beard looks haggard.
He gives a mocking salute. “You called, Cohen.”
Cohen stares. I can practically see him categorizing the little details of his brother’s appearance and coming to the same conclusion I am; Ezekiel is unraveling. He finally says, “You’re late.”
“I didn’t want to come.” Ezekiel wanders to the empty chair and drops into it. “Let’s wrap this up quickly.”
Cohen still hasn’t moved. He hasn’t seemed to breathe at all. The tension in the room spikes, and I want to be anywhere but here. I might not have personal experience with it, but even I know that siblings clash. I don’t think normal siblings clash like the Paines do when things get tense—especially when Abel isn’t around to knock some sense into them. Normally, Cohen doesn’t get involved in the squabbles, but if what happened earlier is any indication, he’s off his game right now.
Maddox leans forward. All his attention seems to be on Ezekiel, but he’s angled his body slightly toward Cohen. “We need to talk about Jasper.”
Ezekiel doesn’t blink. “There’s nothing to talk about. He’s been tied up in my bed for the last three weeks. The first time he’s talked with his family is today, and you can take that up with Broderick.”