Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 45: Chapter 45

DEMI

"Are you sure you got the full name right? When I mentioned it, Ashton didn’t have much of a reaction. It almost felt like he had never heard of the name before. He carried on like I didn’t just drop a bomb on him."

Liam scoffs. "I guess he’s a sterling actor. It’s either that or he already knew Olivia had already tried to contact you so it was no shock to him." He quirks a brow at me. "Do you think Ashton might have gotten close enough to delete Olivia’s text and contact number from your phone at any point in time? I need you to think hard."

I don’t have to. Ashton has my passcode. He might have snuck in while I was asleep and used my fingerprint to unlock my phone. He seems like he can pull such a thing off. Yet, I keep my theory to myself. If Ashton did do it, I’ll find out myself.

"The only time I was completely knocked out and unaware of my surroundings was the night I passed out drunk in front of the quads. If anyone wanted to get into my phone, that was the perfect chance. However, I don’t recall much about that night after I conked out. I don’t even know who carried me to my room."

Liam sighs. "It could have been any one of them." Shaking his head, he waves his hand dismissively. "That’s not important right now. What’s important is that Olivia Dunn exists and she is the secret wife of Ashal Rollins. If she’s being hidden away at the penthouse, there has to be a big secret the Rollins family is trying to keep under wraps. Olivia is in the best position to tells us everything."

Memories of Ashal come to my mind. We had so much fun picking out our new cars. He’s the sweetest, easygoing guy I ever met. Hence, I am having a hard time reconciling that personality with the truth unfolding in front of me. Even worse is the fact that everyone in the family is privy to the secret about Olivia, even mom and Ashton!

"I casually mentioned visiting the penthouse and Ashal flipped. If Olivia was simply living there as a spouse he wasn’t proud of, I don’t think he would have considered my visit such a big deal. Based on his reaction, I’m certain there’s more to it, like domestic abuse or worse. He told me it’s his play pen for him and his brothers."

The minute I voice those words, my heat sinks. "Liam, what if Olivia is being abused by all four brothers? When I was dragged to the penthouse, they had also threated to sexually assault me as a group. If the penthouse is their play pen, such a sick act might be their idea of fun." Just thinking about it makes me want to retch.

"I wouldn’t put it past those quads." Liam’s lips curve distastefully.

I instantly regret my hypothesis. Would Ashton really agree to be a part of something like that? I recall that he had insinuated something similar in my ears when I had been trying to coax Ashal to let me visit the penthouse. He had whispered in my ear, and asked me, ’what do you think happens when you drop a cube of sugar in the midst of ants?’. Oh god, could Olivia really be the sugar in that analogy and the quads the ants? I feel sick to my stomach.

"Have you been to see Anna?" Liam asks, changing the topic on seeing my discomfort.

"Not yet. She called to inform me that she’s back in town now. I’ll stop by her place right after we’re done here." Hissing, I stare into my drink. "Do you know why she’s keeping it a secret from me? Do you think Asher might have threatened her to keep everything that happened a secret even from me?"

"I think you know the answer to your own question."

Poor Anna, I think. Why do my problems keeping rubbing off on her? The quads were never supposed to get too close to my loved ones but now they’ve infiltrated everything and everyone dear to me. One of them is even trying to permeate my heart.

"How long am I supposed to pretend I don’t know anything about her accident? What if she suspects that you might have gotten wind of it and told me?"

"Pay her a visit first and see if she still refrains from telling you. If she does and you suspect she’s doing so under duress, I’ll take it up from there."

"You’re going to run the story on Billion-Err?"

"Of course. Since we haven’t found any other solid evidence that can hit that family where it hurts, we’ll just have to settle for pricking their egos and making small dents in their reputation with mini stories every now and then."

He has a point. I look outside the window and follow the rattling journey of an old mini-van down the narrow street. The air inside the bookstore is cool and placid. Itching for a distraction as Liam refocuses on his laptop, I stroll towards the shelves and run my fingers through the stems of dusty paperbacks. The new sales boy at the counter isn’t doing Mr. Rahl’s business any justice. He is always too invested in his video games or music to bother about dusting books.

My eyes stray to him through a curtain of books and sure enough, he is on his phone. However, he seems to be on call with someone, whispering and craning his neck to peer in the direction of the table where Liam and I are currently occupying. It’s a bit suspicious. Why is he whispering into the phone and looking at us? Who could he be talking to?

I pop out from the corner and startle him. His phone almost slips out of his fingers but his good reflexes save the day.

"I d-didn’t see you t-there." He feigns a smile to distract me from his deft attempt to hide his phone under the counter. It finally disappears into his back pocket.

"You’re a little jumpy today...."

"It’s Lucas."

nod. This isn’t the first time he’s been stealing glances at

a bit. "It was just personal, that’s all." His eyes stray once more towards Liam who joins us in

been up to no good. He must know who I am now and for

into three ladies coincidentally entering the store. When I scan their

the flesh." Nicola tuts her tongue as she stares

to his word, he elbows his way through them and exits the store. Outside, he gives me a quick glance before getting

your hands in public?" She slaps her forehead as though she

you done embarrassing yourself, Nicola

full name. "You’re one greedy bitch, Demi Branson. Who the hell do you think you are to cheat on Ashely? You come here frequently, hiding away in this bookstore with your little

Liam and he knows how attached I am to this bookstore." I round up on her now and whisper in her ear. "You’re very shameless for a mere booty

not to spike my husband’s anger by telling him the stunt his side piece tried to pull today. I’m feeling rather generous today, you see. My mother-in-law just gifted me that beautiful car outside so I am in a good mood. You should have the sense to keep your face hidden knowing what you are, Nicola, not just for your own self-respect or to please my husband but for the success of your own father’s political aspiration.

flickers in her

her like that, you..." The big mouthed lady falls silent at the raise of Nicola’s

job before exiting the store. Through the glass doors, Nicola and her lackeys watch

see is an overly confident woman whom they have just failed to intimidate. What they don’t see is my trembling hands on the

by an eatery to get Anna’s favorite takeout before heading to her place. By the time I arrive, I am feeling more relaxed and steadier. I grab the goodies and head over to the entrance. I’m certain Anna would be shocked by my new ride. We can talk about the car before segueing into her accident. That should be a nice,

much of the details of the argument but I recognize Anna’s voice. The second speaker appears to be a man. When

"ANNA? ANNA!"

looming like a tidal wave.

"Anna, are you alright?"

me under the dome of his bushy eyebrows. I glare icily at him. What could he possibly want with my best friend? Why won’t he just leave

a chin towards Iman. My face is flushed with anger. I can’t

Anna’s pleas and approaches me menacingly. I refuse to budge from my place at the door till Iman’s breath fans my face. He sniffs the nape of my neck and licks his lips, then shifts back to take in my designer clothes, shoes and bag. "So, you think you can raise your voice and talk to me in third person because

the hell away

laughs boisterously. "Do you control those brothers now? Do they come running at the snap of your fingers?

him hard across his cheek. The deafening slap makes him stagger a bit. Behind him, Anna goes pale. In one leap, she streams across the

Iman. She

smokes away the cold fury in mine. He shoves Anna to the

before I can reach her, Iman closes a hand over my neck and slams my back against the wall. My legs dangle mid-air. Slowly, my vision starts to become spotty as I choke for breath. Anna’s weak voice continues

I’LL

He buckles as the slice of pain shoots up his body. Coughing, I manage to crawl blindly

minutes out too. He’s coming here with the police. If

his grip and hustles out of the house. Anna rushes to hug me

you alright, Demi? Oh my God, I’m so sorry

to make certain she’s fine. "Are you

worried about me?" She clasps her hands behind my back

away for good this time." I say, hugging her too. We remain like that for a long time, sobbing on

***

been smart enough to lie about the police

why he wanted to hurt Asher in the first place and got pissed off when Anna tried to wheedle the information out of him which was the scene I had walked into. Iman must have been triggered by the sight of me and the slap to his face to have become a monster in

out on me. As I ride the elevator to my room with my shoes in my hands, I try not to think too much

goodness’ sake. Why would she feel sympathetic over a man who is an asshole and probably deserved whatever his enemies have planned for him. I