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.

come flooding back to me.

don't have to be one thing." I hate that my voice falters at the end like a whine of sympathy. I hate the Ashely Rollins I was known to be; weak, slow, abused. 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 art of switching places. With practice, I was able to flawlessly mimic any brother I wanted, whenever I wanted. Knowing I had the option to be anything but the weak and wimpy Ashely felt invigorating and

don't feel like punching the wall when I stare at myself in 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 a vengeful rapist on the loose, heh? Thankfully, a face like mine and wealth like my family has got attracts women of all walks of life like moth to a flame. I don't even have to beg for their

her sleeping soundly in the room next to mine. I can't quite put my finger on it. Any other woman in her place would be fawning over me and actively trying to bear my child within the first nine months together, but not Demi. Except for the brief blush at the sight of my brothers and I, this woman has mastered the art of not-giving-a-fuck

shirt and head for the gym on the second floor to let off some steam. After a few sprints on the treadmill, I take a

in. He lobs a bottle of water to me

"N-Nothing n-new."

"You're stuttering again. That bad huh?" I duck when his hands reach for my forehead to gauge my temperature. "The meds...are

a n-nightmare.

it's a quad thing.

wed." 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.

I tell him. "You get girls all the time but you're too grumpy to retain their interest for long. So,

face but somehow Ashton has the best morning

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

part she played in keeping Demi here. He even sleeps in his study now. I hate to see them fight. I

we get rid

show mom that we don't need a year or Demi to do that, she wouldn't be so heartbroken when Demi is made