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."

cheating on you. She has formed opinions of each one of us and goes to each brother for

shit cleaned up before your wife wakes and hurts her feet.

right now. Why the hell are my brothers all acting like the cells in their brains are fried? Ashley has always been very confident in himself despite his

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

to Demi. He has more rights to 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. I have

the air about possible wedding bells for Mila and I. I try not to think about it and the

due to the photos. Her fans compliment her outfit saying Nicola can’t hold a candle to this new version of Demi. When I find myself actively sifting

together, Ashton. She’s not

on a bright Monday morning. Asher is being very evasive when I text him to give me a hint on why father requires my presence. His sketchy reply doesn’t soothe my

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

just in

help

chuckles. "I want to see your reaction when he tells

"Tells me what?"

up from his laptop

"Ashton, my boy."

before he shuts the

asked to

please sit." Graciously, he gestures towards a creamy white sofa. I sit down, slightly feeling anxious about this visit. Why couldn’t the matter be discussed over the phone? Why couldn’t it wait

a lot about us doing business in the nearest future. 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 I’d see the day and it all

"Me?"

say no to his princess. Imagine all the ways we could

rub my eyes now. "Father, Mila and I are just friends. I told you this before." Father’s struggles to keep the smile on his face despite his ruptured pride as he lets me finish. "Besides, Mila did say

already tried that angle but apparently, Mila only wants you. She can’t stand

She knows we aren’t serious. Is she trying to put me in a difficult

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 forced into my hands. I can’t do that with Hugh’s daughter. It won’t augur well for the business

and goes to stand by the tall glass wall,

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

him. I surge to

to your every whim, especially when 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

"ASH"

back. "And I am no longer that wimpy kid struggling to fit in with his brothers so daddy can

turn to leave, his next words shock

one step out of that door and Demi

the hell is that

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

gritted teeth and instantly regret

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

by my side. How the hell

have an

narrow to slits. "I think

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 as I turn the corner towards

She yawns tiredly as she waits for more papers to spill out of the machine. The previous night must be a blur for her due to the stuff

so long. She is clearly not used to them but HQ and their flashy

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

soft voice calls

ignore her and punch the

this and my only other rival in the rude and stubborn department already works with her. She watches me as