Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 13: Chapter 13

DEMI

"They did what?"

"The quads interrogated me about that night you lumbered into the club dead drunk, allegedly." Anna let out a low whistle on her end of the line. "I was literally terrified, Demi. They were trying too hard to make it seem like they weren't overly pissed or suspicious of us but I could feel the anger simmering beneath their tone. I think they're onto you."

Absently, I run a finger over my temple to dull a throbbing ache. Again, I expected this but not so fast. Maybe Mr. S is right and I should get on with our plan. At this pace, these brothers might find a reason to have me kicked out before I can pay them back for the part they played in my parents' deaths.

"What about your job? Any problem with Donna?"

"I'm not sure right now. She suspects me and gives me the eye every now and then. However, I don't think she plans to let me go anytime soon."

"What makes you think that?"

"Well, the club's been seeing a horde of new customers, mostly women from high society ever since your marriage happened. Apparently, they all frequent this place in hopes of running into and possibly stealing the heart of one of the quads. Business is literally booming. Plus, these women have been fawning over me ever since they heard I am besties with the daughter-in-law of the Rollins family." A low chuckle follows. "I don't know what they hope to gain from being all friendly towards me. Heck, if I knew how to turn them into billionaire heiresses, I'd probably snag that opportunity for myself, don't you think? Anyway, they always ask of me every night when they come partying and buy whatever I point at. Donna can't afford to lose her new, rich clientele by dropping me."

"I hope you're right. I'd hate for you to suffer any consequences right now, especially since I am not yet financially poised to help you."

"Don't bite your nails over it. Donna tells me that one of the quads passively mentioned I be allowed to keep my job when she hinted at my dismissal to please them." I don't know why but I'm pretty sure Anna is blushing at this point. Her low laughter is sensual and weird.

"Do you know which one?"

"I'm not sure but he gave off boss vibes. Did most of the talking while they interrogated me."

It sounds like Asher but I am not too certain. If anyone wanted to punish Anna for her role in my marriage mess, it had to be Asher. Compassion doesn't sound like him. He wouldn't let Anna keep her job unless he had ulterior motives for doing so. Then again, why would Ashely, Ashton or Ashal let Anna keep her job after she covered for me? If they're all plotting to kick me out, giving Anna the boot will definitely send a stronger message than pardoning her.

"I thought I knew them a bit after serving them for years now but tonight, they were all riled for some reason." Anna continues solemnly. "It was hard to pick up the miniscule signs that point to one brother or the other. They didn't even flirt around. They turned away the strippers Donna arranged for them and mostly had tequila. Their eyes, when I managed to glance up, were hooded and brooding. One of them arrived late in a different outfit from the others. I guess he didn't get the memo on time." Anna giggles. "I don't care which quad it was that spared me. I'm just glad I still have my job."

I take a short breath. "I'm glad you weren't hurt or fired. I could never forgive myself." Her family would suffer. How could I have been so selfish, waltzing around the Rollins mansion thinking I have months to execute my plans when my best friend is a helpless, easy target for these brothers? The mere thought of them bullying her grates on my nerves and makes me grind my teeth.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Hey, it's okay. I know what I signed up for." Anna exhales. "Besides, you can't do this all alone. I'll handle my business and cling to my job however I can. You get on with your own plans and handle those men the way you see fit."

Her resilience surprises and amuses me. "Okay. Talk to you soon. Bye."

Turning, I yelp in shock at the sight of Ashely lounging by my bedroom door. I didn't hear anyone come in.

"Jesus, Ashely. This really has to stop." I yell angrily, clutching my chest as my heart thumps wildly. "You can't come into my room whenever you want. That's not how this marriage works."

"Is that right?"

glides to me. "And how exactly does this marriage

definitely has the 'extra' touch. Every damn thing is the same; hair, voice, build, except the eyes. There's something about the eyes that sends chills down my spine the way Ashely's have never done, even with his dirtiest talk. This look isn't sexually arousing or casually curious; it's more.

Ashely." I breathe

now? Is that what you're here to

to go around him hoping to go to the bathroom when his big arms grab my elbow, spins me

Let go of me!" My voice is a little shaky, a lot pitiful and I hate myself right now. He smells of Ashely's cologne.

than the strippers. Did Anna mention that

"YOU BASTARD, LET ME GO!" I crane my neck towards the door. "MOTHER!!! ASHELY!!! HELP...mmm" Now his hand is clamped over my mouth, muffling my screams. His hot breath fans

won't stand for it. If you're here simply because my mom asked you to and plan to leave quietly after a year, you're welcome to stay. However, if you have some sinister plans up your sleeve," He chuckles darkly, his voice deep

he turns me over, hauls me up and shoves me on the bed. The scream is trapped in my throat as he edges close, his eyes mischievous and wicked. I crawl

are pouring now. I glance at the flower vase by the side of the bed.

YOU. DARE. TAKE. ANOTHER. STEP,

flashes in his eyes briefly and then the darkness

eyes rake my naked thighs. Instinctively, I grab the blanket and cover myself. He scoffs. "You can't stop me if I want to have my way with you. What are you going to do, scream? I'll just tell everyone I am Ashely, your husband. My parents won't know the difference

Danvarr knows you're married to Ashely.

"We have a contract..."

MY family." He finishes. "As far as the world knows, we're fucking, just like normal couples. If I decide to breach our little contract, my family will never turn on me to take your side, not even my mom. And your aunt, she'll be singing a different tune once we pad her account. You

skin tingle. Flashes of the text message from the unknown number come to my mind, especially the end bit, [...Welcome to hell, sis] I shake my head from side

Ruining lives seems to be a

to the foot of my

in my head, "Fair warning Branson, you come for us, we'll be your ruin." That mode of address sounds oddly familiar. My eyes flash as I recall the one brother who has brazenly stepped into my room without deigning to knock, the one brother who always makes my spine chill with the suspicious glint in his eyes, the one brother who's the most difficult to read;

from the floor. That bastard and his brothers dare to do this to me? They dare take shots at me when I have been nothing but accommodating? I wipe my eyes with a thin smile. I might be scared but I am not spineless. If I wasn't courageous, I wouldn't have made it into the home of the people who killed my parents and turned my life into a living hell. Courage like they say isn't the absence of fear but

the push I need to get my wheels turning and set my plan in motion to bring

it. Then I make a beeline for the bathroom, flick on the shower and while it runs, I make a call. He answers after the

surprising. The flake knows how to put a call across." I let the sting

"We're on."

that

The rape scare I just had won't let me digest his sarcasm right now. "Are you done bitching or do you

can hear

not used to him paying attention to the little, sensitive things about me and while I would normally appreciate this rarity, my head is so messed up right now courtesy of Ashton Rollins that I would rather chew

message from an unknown number. I really don't have time for this right now. "One

go numb watching my best friend kissing one of the quads. My eyes narrow to slits. What the fuck, Anna? I strap down on a clawing need to chuck my phone against the wall. I don't give a flying fig about any woman being dumb enough to fall for any of those jerks but not Anna. She's too smart for that or at least I think she is. Is this

right now. Why was I sent this video? It doesn't make any sense. How exactly does my blackmailer expect to exploit and extort me by bringing Anna to the mix? If anything, they would make more blackmailing

me I am probably dealing with more than one blackmailer here. If indeed I am not the first daughter-in-law of the quads, then there's a secret wife somewhere with the initials, O.D. The Rollins must have a reason

quit theorizing to

"Hey"