Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 46: Chapter 46

ASHTON

My heart rate slows down as I await her answer. I recognize the furry coat. It’s a unique piece from Ashley’s latest collection and is very pricey. I am not surprised that Demi happens to own one. Ashley is her husband after all.

However, I do find it surprising that unlike the rest of her clothes hanging carefully on the wardrobe, the jacket sits at the bottom like it was hurriedly tossed in there among her shoes. Why would she keep something so precious in there? It can’t be dirty because I haven’t seen her wear a red jacket since she joined our family. Why else would she dump it in there?

It can’t be true. The mysterious woman from my date as Will can’t be Demi. That’s ridiculous.

"Is that yours?" I repeat. My eyes wheel from the jacket to Demi’s face which is gradually beading with sweat. I want her to give me a plausible reason why her new jacket is in that state, a reason that will dispel the nasty and unpleasant feeling unfurling in my stomach. When Demi braces herself and looks at me, her eyes are not devoid of suspicion.

"It’s mine."

Why does she look so guilty right now if we are only talking about a simple red jacket in her closet? I take it that she knows why I am visibly shocked by it.

"Tell me it wasn’t you."

She cast her eyes down in a sorrowful droop and I gasp in utter shock. Edging backwards, I push open the door leading to her bedroom.

"Ashton, wait! Please! Hear me out."

With impeccable control, I pause my march outside her room. How can she possibly explain this? Even my family doesn’t know about Will! That’s how fucked up this is.

"Have you been stalking me?"

"NO!" She squeals, reaching to grab my shoulders. "No, Ashton, I didn’t stalk you."

How much does she know about me? I know she suspects my hair color but did she already know about my black hair when she found the hair gels in my bathroom cabinet? Was she pretending even then? How the fuck did she get my second contact and chat me up as Will? Was she aware it was me the whole time while we chatted? Why the fuck did she even try to go on a secret date with a stranger in a far diner without telling anyone? My mind is literally abuzz with questions right now.

"START TALKING." I order her. "From the beginning. Leave nothing out."

Demi’s lips tremble as she begins to recount her story. Apparently, she got wind of Mr. Fantasy from her cousin, Kira. I believe that bit as I recall a message from one Kira C. That must be Kira Collin.

"I promise I only went out of curiosity. I was bored and I felt like having lived with you guys for months, I’d be able to rate this stranger. I also justified it as a way to catch an impostor. I’m sorry Ashton."

I don’t believe her. I want to but there are so many holes in her story and I can feel her trying so hard not to tell the undiluted truth.

"If you meant to catch the impostor or rate this stranger’s skills of impersonation, why did you ask to go on a date with Will instead of the ’Ash Rollins’ lookalike version called Mr. Fantasy. Huh?" The question stumps her. "Answer me, Demi!"

Her eyes go misty with tears. "You wouldn’t respond to messages as Mr. Fantasy. I had no choice."

I chuckle loudly now. "You expect me to believe that?" My head is steaming now at how untruthful she’s being. "You came up with a bullshit story about having a shitty boyfriend and wanting to hang out. You followed me up for days to make sure the date happened! All for what? To rate a stranger’s impersonation skills? No!" Demi shudders at my flaring eyes and takes small steps backwards as I advance towards her.

"Here’s the truth you do not want to admit. You knew I was Mr. Fantasy long before you sent me that message. I don’t know how but that’s the only thing that makes this story add up. I don’t know why you insisted on the date only to stand me up. When I noticed you lurking by the corner, you ran away in a cab." I grab her shoulders and narrow my eyes at her. I can’t believe she can be such a mastermind.

"Who exactly are you, Demi? Why did you stalk me?" Demi only cries harder and mumbles incoherently. "You’ve been lying to me all along and pretending to be clueless about my hair and Mr. Fantasy. What other secrets are you keeping from me? Tell me, Branson!"

hands off her. "OK! I’ll tell you the truth." She wipes her tears and stares up at me. "You’re right. I wasn’t entirely truthful earlier. I’m too embarrassed to admit the truth but I’d do

idea but I thought I’d engage his services so he could play you and I could pretend we went on a proper date. I wanted to do more than imagine what that would feel like.

idea it was you at first. I thought he was a complete stranger but then when I managed to sneak off to the date, I arrived late and was just in time to see you pull up in your car. Ashton, I was scared at first thinking you’d recognize me and probably scare off my date. I waited by the corner hoping you’d get your food and leave but when you stepped out of your car, you looked different. Your hair was different but I could still tell it was you. Even worse, you went into the diner and never came out. When I

was risky and stupid but I didn’t mean to lie to you or pretend about that night. I wanted to tell you but I felt that you had your personal reasons for being Will or Mr. Fantasy. I

knows about my weakness now. How could I have

leave like this. Please, don’t go. I beg

quick sweep. "I can’t...I can’t

behind me. Her story might make some sense and maybe part of me feels glad that the random guy she was going on a date with was to satisfy the urge to have a real date with me. However, something inside me

really can’t make this a habit, Ash." Asher breaks my woeful train of thoughts. He appears to have just emerged from the elevator with a drink in his hand. "No matter how brilliant the excuse is, you should really stay away

confirm something. It’s about Demi and Olivia." Asher’s interest is suddenly piqued as

hard about it. Demi can’t be in contact with Olivia. Ashal had deleted Olivia’s contact from

Demi in the past. However, she hasn’t tried to communicate with Demi since the last message I deleted." Ashal confirms. "I

ignore the surprise that flits across Asher’s face at

contacting her?" Asher asks worriedly. "Is she trying to play

to know anything about my secret identity. Although it breaks my heart to admit it, I won’t be surprised if Demi actually knows more about Olivia than she’s letting on. My heart gallops as I

date and knowing my secret identity but that doesn’t translate to her having a

own head. "Penny for your thoughts?" My brothers are all gazing at me now.

If Demi’s response doesn’t hold up with our research, we’ll know she’s lying and find creative ways to get the truth out

to know who she calls and texts along with all the juicy details of her conversations. Who’s

desperately need to know the real truth before my imaginative mind, which is dangerously teetering towards the worst, gets

in." I

smiles as the rest of our brothers follow my

one with a legitimate reason to hang around Demi twenty-four seven. Find a way to distract her

to pay close attention to Olivia and ensure she tells you if anyone tries reaching her for an interview

Ashal concurs with a vigorous

no circumstances should she be taken

to tell me twice bro. None of y’all are even allowed there till further notice." While Ashley and Ashal laugh over the latter’s statement, I lock cold eyes with

and being willing to give him a shot. Despite how scared he had been when she had tried dialing Asher’s number (without knowing that Ashal had swapped his contact name with Asher’s so Olivia was indeed

punishing Iman. That bastard is still out there hurting more people. He even went as far as touching Demi! Now, the bastard has attempted to take the lives of two people who are dear to me and that is something I cannot forgive. If Asher isn’t feeling up to it, I’d handle Iman

slowly disperses, I put a hand in Asher’s path as he tries to leave the

he still roaming the streets freely after everything he’s done?" The anger I’ve been fending off is starting to seep out as I recall Anna on her hospital bed and the red fingerprints on Demi’s neck. Asher squares his

told you I’d

been going about trying to hurt more

At the pained

strangle her, again. She’s got his hand prints all over

certain

HER AFFILIATION TO OUR FAMILY IF NOT HER CRAZY EX?" I run a hand over my face, stifling the urge to punch the

do no

MY LOVED ONES." I yell in my brother’s

placid look on his face that slowly morphs into a frown. "Thank

what’s that?"