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."

but me? Really? Simply because I was able to connect with her in a way that you haven’t doesn’t translate to Demi cheating on you. She has formed 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 having eyes for your wife too? Grow up man. She’s human after all. Her life doesn’t have to revolve around you just

"Have that shit cleaned up before your wife wakes and hurts her feet. It’s the

Why the hell are my brothers all acting like the cells in their brains are fried? Ashley has always been very

Shit. Maybe I am 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 concern. If father harbors the same suspicions as my brothers, things will only get

her than I ever will. It doesn’t matter that theirs is a marriage only on paper. I have to let them figure it out themselves without butting in.

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

and more love due to the photos. Her fans compliment her outfit saying Nicola can’t hold a candle to this new version

it together, Ashton. She’s not

go see father at the HQ. He has summoned me for some reason on a bright Monday morning. Asher is being very evasive when I text him to give me a

highest floor of Rollins HQ, the employees silently gasp as I make my way in. I get this a lot it really irks me sometimes. Of course there are four of us that look like this, get over yourselves, I scream in my head.

in front of

no help at

your reaction when he tells

"Tells me what?"

me through the door. Father looks up from his laptop screen, beams at me and takes off his

"Ashton, my boy."

a death stare before he

asked

matter be discussed over the phone? Why couldn’t it wait till we get home? Why is father smiling from ear to ear

his pride to come in here, toot my horn and ask to do business with me. I never thought I’d see the day and it all thanks to

"Me?"

thing for you and Hugh can’t seem to say no

before." Father’s struggles to keep the smile on his face despite his ruptured pride as he lets me finish. "Besides, Mila

but apparently, Mila only

that? She knows we aren’t serious. Is she trying to put me in

the spike you wanted in the stock market. That’s all I agreed to do. I am not ready to date anyone seriously and you know how I handle things when they’re

now. He lurches to his feet and goes to

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

him. I surge

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 to make you happy. I am done trying to prove myself to you because all you ever do is

"ASH"

I fire back. "And I am no longer that wimpy kid struggling to fit in with his

to leave, his next words

out of that door and Demi

is that

up? Dating or sleeping with women for selfish reasons has never been a big deal to you and all of a sudden, Mila is

I reply with gritted teeth and instantly

it 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 you. If you defy me and make her sense that you’ve got another woman in your head, I’ll make sure Demi pays for your stubbornness. You know I don’t

by my side. How the hell

we have an

slits. "I think we

I leave his office, I brush angrily past Asher because I desperately need to punch something. My mood is dark and

for more papers to spill out of the machine. The previous night must be a blur for her due to the stuff that was

clearly not used to them but HQ

a bit confused as she tries to make out if I am Ashton or not and

soft voice calls

and punch the

Ashal will ignore her like this and my only other rival in the