Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 37: Chapter 37

ASHTON

I get a sick feeling in my gut when Demi doesn’t get the door after my third knock. I know she’s in there. Why wouldn’t she answer the door? Ashley isn’t taking his calls either. It’s too late to get anyone else involved so I do the only thing I can at the moment; I punch in her passcode to gain access half hoping she changed it as she had said.

When it unlocks, I save my surprise for later and go inside. The room is dark but I can see the silhouette of a person lying on the bed. When I flick on the light switch, Demi squints at the brightness. Quickly, I adjust the setting so the light is just enough for me not to grope in the dark.

I’m surprised she still as her clothes and shoes on.

"Demi? Are you okay?"

I reach for her hand but she pulls it away weakly. Her lips move to form words that end up dying in her throat. She throws her head back and falls asleep again. Every attempt to rouse her is futile. That’s when I spot the glass next to her bed. It contains remnants of an orange juice. When I sniff it, a huge frown furrows my brow. Was her drink laced? Who would do such a thing?

Just then, someone bangs on her door.

"Open up, Demi. It’s Ashley."

Oh, now he shows up. I drop the glass and go get the door. I don’t care what this looks like. Ashley’s doesn’t seem as shocked to see me in his wife’s room as I expect. I am certain Asher isn’t far behind watching this unfold. This is clearly a setup.

"How in the world did you get in here?"

"I punched in the passcode to the door."

If looks could burn, I’d have been ashes with the hot glare my brother gives me now.

"You know my wife’s passcode?" He laughs hysterically. "Why am I not surprised? You two do have a lot in common, huh?"

"I will gladly explain how I came about that information but right now is not the time to pick a fight. Demi doesn’t look alright. I think her drink was laced."

Ashley shoves past me and goes to check on Demi.

"I couldn’t reach you after Asher posted on the group that Demi wasn’t doing too well. I came to check on her and when she failed to answer the door, I had to use the passcode I saw her imputing once. I found her like this. Look," I grab the glass and ask Ashley to sniff. "She probably asked for a glass of juice and somebody had it laced with something else. A sleep inducer maybe. I can’t quite discern it."

Ashley only continues to rub Demi’s palms and try to force her to keep her eyes open. My anger crystallizes now.

"You don’t seem too shocked about any of this Ashley," I say replacing the glass on the side drawer. "That only tells me that you know exactly what’s going on here."

His glare doesn’t faze me. "What are you talking about?"

"You saw me enter this room, didn’t you? I just find it odd that you just happened to show up seconds after I came in here to check on Demi. Were you watching from a distance to see how I would react to Demi in distress? Is that what this is about?"

I grit my teeth when he doesn’t deny it. My fingers curl around the glass and with a swing of my arm, I smash it across the room, scaring Demi in her sleep. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU HAD TO DRUG YOUR OWN WIFE TO PROVE WHAT EXACTLY?"

"You proved my point when you strolled into my wife’s room with her darn passcode, a passcode her own husband doesn’t even have."

"You’re so pathetic. Is this what jealousy has reduced you to, Ashley Rollins? You act like you don’t give a fuck about a woman’s feelings for you. How exactly do you reconcile that personality with this immature display of yours?"

"You seem to be forgetting that Demi is MY WIFE. I have every right to care about where her loyalties lie."

"And what did you discover by drugging her? Were you going to frame her for cheating on you?"

Demi clutches her head and grumbles in her sleep. Immediately, I dial back on the volume of my voice.

"Look at her." I order him. "Asher is already working full time trying to make her life miserable. Now, she has to worry about you too? You’re supposed to be her support system in here! I can’t believe you, Ash."

opinions of each one of us and goes to each brother for one thing or the other. Ashal is her buddy for games and relaxation. Will you also accuse him of

up before your wife wakes and hurts her feet. It’s the least you can do after

like the cells in their brains are fried? Ashley has always been very confident in himself despite his traumatic

part of the problem after all. I shouldn’t be walking around like Demi means more to me than my sister-in-law. Maybe my actions do give cause for

ever will. It doesn’t matter that theirs is a marriage only on paper. I have

wedding bells for Mila and I. I try not to think about it and the naughty comments most women leave under the blogposts regarding the plans they have

candle to this new version of Demi. When I find

it together, Ashton. She’s

before heading to go see father at the HQ. He has summoned me for some reason on a bright Monday

I get this a lot it

in front of father’s

no help at

your reaction when he

"Tells me what?"

as Asher shoves me through the door. Father looks up from his laptop

"Ashton, my boy."

stare before

you asked to see

feeling anxious about this visit. Why couldn’t the matter be discussed over the phone? Why couldn’t it wait

Can you believe that? Hugh actually swallowed his pride to come in here, toot my horn and ask to do business with me. I never thought

"Me?"

His girl seems to have a thing for you and Hugh can’t seem to say no to his princess. Imagine all the ways we could use this

struggles to keep the smile on his face despite his ruptured pride as he lets me finish. "Besides, Mila did say her father prefers Asher to

tried that angle but apparently, Mila only wants

ears. Why would Mila say that? She knows we aren’t

am not ready to date anyone seriously and you know how I handle things when they’re forced into my hands. I can’t do that with

to his feet and goes to stand by the tall

here to coax you into anything." He whirls to face me now. "You and Mila are as good as a couple right now. Asher can’t step in. You’ll date her for as long as you need to develop feelings for her. Then we’ll talk about taking your relationship to the next level." And just like that, he resumes his position behind his desk to signify the conversation is

believe him. I surge

it has to do with MY life. I am YOUR son not a piece on your chess board. If you want to do business with Hugh, I’ll gladly handle the proposal and negotiation but I won’t date his daughter against my will just

"ASH"

with his brothers so daddy can love him too.

turn to leave, his next words

step out of that door and Demi suffers for

hell is that

don’t know why you’re acting up? Dating or sleeping with women for selfish reasons has never been a big deal to you and all

I reply with gritted teeth and instantly regret affirming father’s suspicion. He

is true. When did this happen? You know what, never mind. I don’t care. All I care about right now is you and Mila. You will worship the ground Mila walks on if you must. You have to fan the flames of her casual interest in you until she falls hard for

clench my fist by my side. How the hell is he my

an understanding, Ashton

"I think

registers it with an arch of his brow. When I leave his office, I brush angrily past Asher because I desperately need to punch something. My mood is dark and my eyes hooded. Just

a printer with a stack of white papers in her hand. She yawns tiredly as she waits for more papers to spill out of the machine. The previous night must be a blur for her

one leg tells me her heels hurt from standing so long. She is clearly not used to them but HQ and their flashy dress code won’t let the poor

the elevator. Demi looks a bit confused as she tries to make out if I am

Her soft voice

punch the control button on

have given me away. Neither Ashley nor Ashal will ignore her like this and my only other rival in the rude and stubborn department already works with her. She watches me