Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 6: Chapter 6

ASHLEY

"C'mon, you know you like it."

The sturdily built Tobias feathered his big hand through my chin-length hair while I moaned in terror. The room was dark. He always switched off my sleeping lights. Yanking my hair, he pulled me out from under the bed and slammed me on the cushy mattress. When he proceeded to unbuckle his belt, I tried to crawl away even though I knew I wouldn't make it.

"Where do you think you're going, boy? We haven't even started." The nasty edge of his voice jabbed through my gut. He smacks my cheek hard and tears run down my face. "Off to rat on me? Nobody will believe you. Daddy will call you weak again and beat you to a pulp. You know he already hates that you're smaller and weaker than your brothers. Do you really want to give him and the others more reasons to detest you?"

I shuddered at the thought. Father wouldn't spare me. He'll say I was always making excuses for not being as good as my brothers. Nobody will believe our loyal bodyguard can harm a hair on my head. So, I got on my knees quietly and shut my eyes while Tobias had his way. When he flipped me over, a shocked cry ripped through my throat as the pain hit.

I wake up gasping for breath. A film of sweat trickles down my sides despite the chill in the room. My fingers scrabble the sheets as I swallow the trapped screams of pain and terror. The nightmares are rare but incredibly intense when they happen. My eyes pan the dimly lit room desperately. Even though he's long dead, I can't help but feel his ghost might still be lurking around me.

I manage to grope to the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face. My reflection in the mirror is that of a shit-faced drunk. I take a few calming breaths.

"You're fine, Ashely. You're strong. He can't hurt you anymore. Ashton already killed him. You're safe. You're not that wimpy, whiny eight years old kid. You're the ASHLEY ROLLINS now, a grown, strong man." I work a weak smile into my face as I repeat the words.

Tobias had been wrong. If only I had told my brothers earlier, it would have stopped. They believed my every word and the very next morning after I opened up to them, Tobias was found with a slit throat. If I had ever doubted my brothers' love, that sight smoked it all away. Father had said nothing when Ashton told him I killed Tobias for hurting me but he smiled at me genuinely. Ashton has always been one to give up the credit for others.

words come flooding back to me. I stare hard at

I would rather slit my wrist than stick with that guy and thankfully, my brothers caught on. For me, they defied our parents and perfected

the mirror. The trauma rears its head once in a while but I am coping just fine. I may still be wary of love and long-term commitments like marriage but that is okay with me. I love keeping sex casual with no strings attached. That way, I don't saddle one woman with my insatiable libido. Better a serial flirt and womanizer than

nine months together, but not Demi. Except for the brief blush at the sight of

the gym on the second floor to let off

me and sits

"N-Nothing n-new."

when his hands reach for my forehead to gauge my temperature. "The meds...are they helpful? You haven't seen your therapist in a

a n-nightmare. You g-guys don't have to w-worry

late bro." Ashton replies with a quirky smile as Asher and Ashal stroll into the gym. "I swear I didn't call them. I guess it's a quad thing. We come running when one of us is

Asher bumps my head. "Can't get it up? Oh, that's right. Mrs. Ashley Rollins isn't interested in being touched by the sexiest man in Danvarr. It's refreshing to

"You get girls all the time but you're too grumpy to retain

face but somehow Ashton has the best morning face?" Ashton smirks from his

We all have a long day today. Work and all. Seriously, let's get back

on. "Dad is still very uncool with her in the family. I can't get him to see the social damage denying her in the face of overwhelming evidence will cause. Now, he has resorted to arguing nonstop with mom over the part she played in keeping Demi here. He even sleeps in his study now. I hate to see them fight. I hate to see our family fighting each other so much so that

do we get rid of her without hurting Mom's feelings?" Ashal

give mom what she wants. She brought Demi here to straighten us up. If we can show mom that we don't need a year or Demi to do that, she wouldn't be so heartbroken when Demi is made to leave. We have to hurry though before mom bonds with