Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 34

ASHER

Ashton ranges himself between Demi and the door. His long rangy body and the face marred by a frown will look just as natural as a bouncer outside of the doors of a club. His eyes dart towards me again, brimming with heat. I suck in a breath through my teeth. This guy has been staring daggers at me all evening. I am starting to wonder if this is all because of Demi and the sight he just walked into.

"What’s going on here?" Ashton continues. His eyes fall back on Demi. "Why are you so quiet? Tell me what you’re doing in this room alone with him?"

"JESUS CHRIST ASHTON!" I can’t stand him any longer. I drop my drink and start towards them. "What the hell are you asking right now? If you’re fuming this much, what is Ashley supposed to do as her husband? You might look just like her husband but that doesn’t make you him, okay? Stop role swapping. Ashley knows Demi is here and he has no qualms about it. I don’t see why you should."

I give Demi a look. On cue, she tries to brush past Ashton and leave when he grips her arm.

"Oh, for goodness’ sake, let the woman go."

Why the hell is Demi looking like a scaredy cat right now? Her hands are even trembling a bit. She’s clearly acting up. She wasn’t this quiet or nervous when she approached me herself earlier to get me to change my mind about blackmailing her. I can’t believe she’s trying to fool Ashton with her theatrics.

I move forward and try to break Ashton’s grip. As sure as hell, he doesn’t budge.

"Demi, is he blackmailing you? What exactly were you doing here? Tell me."

"What do you mean by that?"

We all turn to find Ashley and Ashal walking up to us. Ashley has a conspicuous frown on his face s he steps up and wrenches Demi’s arm away from Ashton’s weakened grip. I am glad his timing is impeccable. What the hell took him so long? Ashley steers Demi behind him and looks at Ashton with a narrowed glare.

"Why do you assume that every other person talking to Demi in private has to be blackmailing her? What right do you have to act so protective and obsessive towards my own wife, Ashton?" He exchanges quick glances between Demi and Ashton. "Is there something both of you aren’t telling us? Are you fucking behind my back?"

"Ashley!" Demi cries.

"Is that what Asher’s been telling you?" Ashton asks.

"Asher doesn’t have to tell me anything." Ashley is nose to nose with Ashton now. "Everybody can see it, even Mila. All through dinner, you barely even looked at the woman on your arm. You kept your head bowed and the only person you deigned to look at when you raised your head was my wife! Do you even know how Mila got home tonight? You just left her at the table and went off to your room. I went to drop off YOUR guest. Everyone can see that you’ve got eyes for my wife."

This is way better than any TV show. I want to go back for my drink but I am afraid to miss a single arch of an eyebrow or the clenching of fists. Demi is getting impatient now. She steals a glance at me but all I do is wink at her.

"Ok, that’s enough you two." Ashal steps between them. Fucking hell. Why is he even here? Shouldn’t he be cooped up in his room, sobbing or something? Why did he choose this very night to rejoin us? He’s ruining such a good show.

Ashley gently moves Ashal to the side. "No. I have concerns and I will get to the bottom of them tonight."

"Stop it, Ashley." Demi tries again, coming in front of him and Ashton. "There’s nothing going on beyond Ashton’s genuine care for me." Her eyes are tearing up. "You all know how your brother is. Ashton cares deeply or he doesn’t care at all. He also gets violent when he wants to protect those he cares about. Ever since I joined this family, I’ve been through a lot. Asher has been dead set on witch hunting me. You, Ashley, have slowly gone back to your life," She pauses so everyone gets her drift. Ashley winces at that last part.

Demi sniffles. "Ashal was there for me until he got sick. I’ve been dealing with so much all by myself until Ashton noticed. He stops to ask how my day went or if I need help handling a problem. Simply because he is very intentional about making sure I get the help I am too afraid to seek doesn’t mean you get to judge us like that. I don’t see you being mad at Asher for trying to rape me the other day." Her angry eyes flashes at me.

Ashely is lost for words.

"Why? Are you okay with what he did? You told me he was the one in my room that night. Why did you never confront him? Why are you attacking Ashton for no reason?" Demi buries her face in her hands and sighs. "Maybe the reason why he attempted it again back at my aunt’s house is because you never had the balls to confront him about it."

"What?" Ashley asks, eyes wide with shock.

Oh, Demi, you’re so dead now, I think in my head as my three brothers all give me death stares. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

"After my first day at work, I kindly asked him to make a quick stop by my aunt’s place so I can pick up a few things. Asher tried to kiss me and when I scolded him, he threatened to rape me again, saying neither my aunt nor Kira will breathe a word against him if he did have his way with me. Ever since then, he’s been blackmailing me."

She has barely finished her words when I start clapping.

"Wow Demi, that was a really good story there, except you intentionally left out major details."

My brothers are all inside the game room now. Ashley looks betrayed. Of course, I told him about Demi’s pictures with Iman the night he brought her home from her aunt’s. He was steaming because he suspected Demi could have feelings for Ashton and that scraped his pride. I saw it as an opportunity to rope him into my grand plan.

He was desperate to find out so he managed to steal Ashton’s phone while Ash slept and texted Demi from it. Demi turned out to be smarter than we thought. I knew she would never ignore Ashton so when she wouldn’t open the door despite reading the texts, I had to step in and help Ashely.

I sent Demi the text threatening her with the pictures. I didn’t tell Ashley all the fine details of what transpired in Demi’s room, especially the part where I tried to kiss her. Why does it even matter? Her marriage to Ashely is only on paper, not so?

"You tried to kiss her?" Ashley heaves a breath.

I ignore him and face my scarier brothers. "Demi here has been up to some shameful things despite knowing the difficulties our family has faced because of her. Right after father accepted her into the HQ, she dashed home to her real man and boyfriend, Iman, to kiss him. I have pictures of them in an alley."

One look at Ashley and he now pretends to be hearing this for the first time.

"You went back to Iman?" Ashley asks Demi.

Ashton and Ashal demand to see the pictures and I gladly show it to them on my phone. Ashal flushes with secondhand embarrassment for Demi while Ashton snags the phone from my hand to peer deeper at it.

"It’s not what it looks like, Ashley. Iman attacked me on my way to the bookstore that day. He threatened me."

"Yeah right, everyone seems to threaten Demi. How convenient." I blurt out.

"He forcefully kissed me. I didn’t kiss him back. Kira saw everything but she preferred to take pictures instead of calling for help. She has a video too. Please ask her to show you the video. You’ll see me struggling. I could never do that to your family after everything you’ve done to save me from Iman."

"She’s lying, as usual."

"SHUT UP, ASHER." Ashton bellows. I stare into his eyes and realize he isn’t buying the story. "For anyone that has eyes, you’re welcome to look closely at this photo. Demi is clearly uncomfortable with what Iman was doing. I believe he forced himself on her." He chucks my phone on the pool table and Ashal grabs it, takes a deeper look and nods.

"Yeah, something is definitely off with it. Iman is clearly the one forcing the kiss. Demi appears to be shocked and helpless." Ashal offers the phone to Ashley who gives me a quick look.

"I didn’t do it on purpose Ashley. He tried to strangle me. I was too scared to fight him alone in that alley. Please believe me." Her voice is edged with pity. I can’t believe how this night is suddenly swerving in Demi’s favor after all my hard work. That silly girl, Kira, hasn’t stopped blowing my phone asking for her reward. It’d be spineless of me to go back to her to get her to find another incriminating evidence against Demi.

"Wow, you all amaze me. How the hell do you all know what Demi looks like when she is kissing a guy? Have you all locked lips with her before?" I intentionally let my eyes linger on Ashton. Big mistake. He is going to punch the daylights out of me now. When the punch doesn’t come, I dip my eyes to find his hands clenched into fists by his side. Amazing. Ashton learnt self-control? That’s new.

Ashton ignores me and whips his head to Demi. "Is this what he was blackmailing you with?"

"Yes. He ordered me to make one of two choices before the end of the week or he would send the photos to the blogs and have me ruined."

"What choices?" Ashley asks.

Dang it. I didn’t tell him those too. I only mentioned using the photos to blackmail her into doing our will. For Ashley, that means making Demi stay away from Ashton and give her husband all the attention she has to spare. Fuck me!

Demi takes her time with this one, wiping her tears. "He asked me to either quit working at the HQ," then she stares intently into Ashley’s eyes for the last part, "or divorce Ashley by the end of the week."

"You snake." Ashley growls. "That’s not your call to make."

"Asher, what personal vendetta do you have against Demi to go this far?" Ashal asks. Ashton remains dangerously quiet. I know he has a lot on his mind but for some reason, he isn’t voicing it out. He steals glances at Ashal and keeps mum.

"I know you all think I am overreacting but I will prove you wrong. This woman is out to get our family and it’s my responsibility to stop her." I zero in on Demi’s pathetic crying face. "YOU MIGHT HAVE WON THE BATTLE TONIGHT BUT THE WAR STILL LOOMS. I’LL EXPOSE YOU LONG BEFORE YOU GET A CHANCE TO SINK YOUR FANGS INTO THE ROLLINS FAMILY."

Ashley gives me one last look of disappointment before grabbing Demi’s hand and tugging her away. Ashal retires to his room. Ashton won’t budge. I make for the door and he calls out my name.

"You’re such a hypocrite, you know that?"

"Really? How so?" I ask, whirling towards him.

Now, his rage is at the surface. "You’re a disgrace of a brother. You stand here talking about responsibility and protecting our family when YOU are the disease festering in here. YOU’RE THE PROBLEM, NOT DEMI."’

"You’re gong to have to be a little more specific, bro."

"Was it not enough for you when you lied about Ashal hitting Olivia? After he took up your shame and responsibility, the least you could have done was allow them to work out their marriage. Instead, you shamelessly snuck into her bed behind Ashal’s back and even got her pregnant. The baby whose death Ashal has been mourning for days wasn’t even his!!!"

I am too stunned to speak. "What the fuck are you talking about right now, Ash? Olivia was pregnant? Baby? I don’t know..."

"You’re the reason she can never give Ashal a chance because you’ve got it in her head that you will be with her eventually. How low can you stoop? Now you’re trying to ruin Ashley’s marriage too? If he wants to divorce Demi earlier than their contract stipulates, that’s his call to make, not yours! How could you enjoy interfering and ruining the lives of your brothers like this? What have we ever done to you to deserve such hatred?"

I can’t believe Ashton thinks I hate my brothers. It stings to hear this.

"Do you really consider us a threat? NOBODY WANTS TO INHERIT THE FUCKING HQ SO KEEP IT AND LEAVE US ALL ALONE!" He shoves me with his shoulder and storms out. I stagger forward, grab my drink and glug it all down. I grab the bottle, slosh more wine into my glass and guzzle it all once more.

What the fuck was that about Olivia? I haven’t called or spoken to her in over two months. Why does Ashton think I got her pregnant? What silly game is that wretch playing now. Anger prickles over the shock of Ashton’s words. I have no problem digesting the sting from his accusations regarding Ashley. Yes, I brought that on myself. However, I won’t sit quietly and stomach the ridiculous allegations regarding Olivia. If she had a baby and lost it, it definitely wasn’t mine and I will make sure she tells the truth!

***

"I’m glad you finally showed up. I was starting to panic..."

"I’m not here for the chitchat doc, just give me something for the headaches and dizziness." I interrupt, massaging my temples with my hands. This morning was the worst I ever felt. I woke up with a splitting headache and for a few seconds I couldn’t even more or pull myself out of bed.

"I should be at work by now." I add when doctor Ezra tries to protest. "Please, I’ll come in for the surgery later. I have a lot going on right now. It’s too dicey leaving my family or the business at this critical time. When I have set things in place, I’d come over and you’ll get the surgery done."

"Mr. Rollins, need I remind you that a brain tumor is the diciest thing in your life right now. You can’t just pick and choose when to have the surgery. If we don’t tackle this now, those brain cells could become malignant."

"Just give me the damn pills, doc. You know me better than this."

Doctor Ezra sighs. "Asher, my concern stems from a personal place rather than professional. I have known your family ever since you boys were in diapers. I can’t sit back and watch you toy with your life like this. Please, I need you to come in for the surgery. Any medicine I give now will only give a temporal relief and there will be side effects. Let’s tackle this once and for all so you can go back to living your healthy life again."

When I say nothing in response, he goes ahead to prescribe some drugs for me. I grab the medicine and surge to my feet. The sharp movement makes the room spin.

"I’m fine." I tell him when the doctor tries to grab my hand. "I’ll call you."

I know this is important and I am trying to make peace with the fact that I might eventually have to go under the knife. It’s not been easy. I hate hospitals and drugs and doctors. I have always had impeccable health since my childhood and I always stayed fit as an adult. Why in the hell am I battling a brain tumor now? How did that even happen? Why me?

Every night I go to bed and pray to wake up from this nightmare. When I wake up and realize I still have the tumor, I adjust my prayer asking that the tumor disappears as mysteriously as it appeared. I have heard stories like that. Maybe that’s the reason I am not eager to rush into surgery.

I accidentally bump hard into a broad chest, making my medicine clatter to the ground. My headache triples with the clash.

"Oh, I’m so sorry." The man apologizes. Our eyes meet and his jaws drop. "Asher Rollins?"

Of course, it had to be stupid Josh Randall.

"What are you doing in the hospital so early, man?"

By his side, his mother eyes me suspiciously and I drop my hand from my head.

"Minor headache." I chime.

"It can’t be minor if you had to come all the way to the hospital to get it looked at." Mrs. Randall adds. She’s just like her son; nosy. Her eyes dip to the floor where my drug still lies. I make a quick grab for it before Josh can and slip into my pocket.

"Actually, I didn’t just come in for the headache. I had some other business to do with a few shareholders of this fine establishment. Have a nice day." I take my time walking to avoid losing my balance since I know for a fact they’ll be watching me.

I manage to make it into my car before I catch a breath. I quickly pop a pill and take a short rest before zooming off to work.

I pull up next to a restaurant to avoid killing myself. My vision is blurrier than before. Staggering, I walk into the restaurant and ask the first waiter I see for the direction to the gents. I almost make it to the bathroom door when my dizziness kicks in and I fall surprisingly into soft arms.

"Mr. Rollins, are you okay? What’s wrong with you?"

I blink up at the lady cradling me in her arms as my vision clears. "Anna?"