Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 62: Chapter 62

ASHER

I want to be mad at my brothers for doubting me when I kept insisting that Demi isn’t completely innocent in the recent events that have plagued our family. I want to rub it in their faces that I was always right but I strap down on that pettiness and focus as Ashal shares his plans with me over facetime. I’m glad he reached me first after Ashley. It’s no surprise anyway. Ashton will have reservations about this plan so it’s best to leave him out of it.

"So, Ashton thinks you’ve called off the plan to take Demi to the penthouse?"

"Yes. I know how he can get. He won’t like the idea of putting Demi in such a compromising situation even if it’s for the greater good." Ashal explains. I totally get it. I’d do the same if this was my idea.

"We’ll have to distract him so he doesn’t come anywhere close to the penthouse today." I cast a long glance back at father who is playing golf with Mila’s father. We are on the private golf course on one of our family’s resorts.

Mila stands behind the two older gentlemen, with a golf club in her hand. When she’s not acting as a caddie for our fathers, she pretends to be having a swell time despite the sun.

"I think I’ll get Mila on it."

It was purely a coincidence that we met them here. Ever since we got here and father introduced me to Hugh Spellman, he has been beaming at me with pride every chance he gets and urging Mila to compete against me. Father

keeps trying and failing to reach Ashton on phone or to sway Hugh in Ashton’s favor. It’s clear that the billionaire prefers me for his daughter.

Mila on the other hand has been unusually indifferent. She hasn’t even tried calling Ashton once. I’m guessing there’s trouble in paradise.

"Ashton will be at the racetrack. Get her to swing by and keep him distracted till we’re finished here. Oh, one more thing. Demi is expecting Anna. Can you do something about that? Anna’s presence will foil everything."

I recall Anna at Demi’s party. "I’ll do my best. Ash, make sure tonight is a success. I don’t want any fuckups." I hang up and rejoin my fellow golfers.

"Mila, why don’t you play with Asher for a bit." Mr. Hugh quips. Then he turns to me. "She’s very competitive. Don’t go easy on her." He drags father into the waiting golf cart while Mila loads up their gold bags. "We’re going to get started on brunch. Take your time, lads." We both feign smiles as we watch the cart drive away.

"Does he actually think that was being slick?"

"He is as stubborn as a mule. He knows I hate golf." Mila tosses the gold club on the grass. "I’m just going to take a walk." I hustle after her, earning a surprised look from her. "Um, the resort’s that way." She says pointing a finger.

"I know. I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Ashton? Are you guys okay?"

Mila chuckles. "You say that like you quads don’t share everything with each other. Have you had a good laugh lately about how big of a fool I am for throwing myself at a man who clearly has his sights set on someone else?" When I don’t follow back with a convincing look of shock, Mila stops to stare at me. "You knew all along, didn’t you?" Do you also know who your brother’s got feelings for?"

She shakes her head. "What a silly question. It’s so fucking obvious there’s no way you wouldn’t have noticed." Sighing, she paces about. "It’s fucked up. That’s his sister-in-law!"

"He knows that and that’s precisely why he isn’t planning on doing anything about his little crush. C’mon Mila, my brothers and I have lived alone with our parents in that mansion for years. Then suddenly, we welcomed a new female member into the family. We see her every day and she isn’t exactly ugly. I’ll admit that we’ve all sexually objectified her at least once but that’s it. We know our boundaries. Don’t give Ashton hell for being a fucking warm-blooded male adult."

"So, you all have a crush on her too?"

"I have a hefty crush on you. I entertained some dirty thoughts back at Demi’s party when I saw you in that red dress. What?" I ask as red color seeps into her cheeks. "I bet a lot of guys at that party felt the same even with their wives and girlfriends on their arms. That’s just because you are beautiful, Mila, and I have no intention of acting on it. Will you give me the cold shoulder from now on?" When she says nothing, I proceed.

"Give Ashton a break. He was the last one of us to accept Demi into the family. They recently became friendly. Even Ashley knows there’s nothing to it, at least on Ashton’s part. Demi is the one responsible for giving mixed signals and pushing the wrong thoughts in my brother’s head. It’s not love. It’ll pass but how fast you can get your man’s attention fully centered on you will depend on you, Mila. Distancing yourself from him won’t help. I know you like him and he likes you too."

"How do you know that? Did he say something?"

"He has never taken any woman to the racetrack. That’s his escape and the first time you beat him in a race, we didn’t hear the last of it. He went on about you for hours. His face was literally aglow with excitement. We all want you for him, especially father. Ashton just needs to be reminded that you’re the best for him."

"You better not be lying to me, Asher. I’m not very nice when people mistake me for a gullible person."

"Give him a call. Go spend the day with him. You two need some time alone."

flag down an empty golf

away. With Ashton

our way back home, father and I share

Father asks quietly. My face flushes with a little embarrassment as I recall father overhearing my conversation with Nessa the night she had told me she was carrying

care of

and I’m not just talking about golf right now. You will succeed

"I understand."

window. "You

ugly hag won’t change anything. I can keep things professional with Nessa. She’s great at her job and knows my routine.

if she had stubbornly insisted on keeping the baby? If someone else had overheard the both of you that night? We already have Olivia on

in the office looking like he went on a paid vacation while Ashton’s scar is yet to

You know brothers and their tempers. It’s useless trying to talk to them. Their minds are made up. I’m just trying to stay in my lane and be a good father as best as I

and proceed to ask him other questions. "Did you have Josh

reported anything

I whip my head to look

our vacation home in Brellis. I’m

curl my hand into fists. I can’t believe father sent Josh over to our vacation home. By my side, father notices my balled left fist

***

when she opens her door to find

"A-Asher???"

a hand, I cup her jaw and help close her

going to let me in?" I try to poke my head

expecting you." Her nervous eyes flick around

my eyes as I edge close to

red blush on her cheeks is replaced by a stern look I have only seen on her face once. It’s the evening she almost lost her life because of me. "I

you, Anna." I quickly cut her off, ignoring the urge to touch her face

why are

just...I wanted to see

what you were worried about? I’m totally fine. I even saw Dr. Ezra today. You

this about Demi’s

cold demeanor wavers a bit at the mention of

open and let myself in amidst her protests. Her place is small. Still, it seems to have everything that’s important to her. I pick

not welcome in

It appears she’s preparing for an outing. Anna grabs the dress off the bed and kicks the shoes away

"Going somewhere?"

none of your

I imagine she was being careful to pick a beautiful dress I’d notice her in.

running last for an appointment. You really need to

so edgy? It’s just

don’t want

move close to her and she takes a step back. "I’m sorry about the party, Anna. I wasn’t in my right mind." When she looks up at me, there’s only irritation in her eyes. "I know you don’t believe me but

admit that there was a time when I was prepared to throw myself at you or your brothers. I kissed you back then because I thought we were having fun but you used it against me and even got me fired from a job I loved. You had us filmed and leaked the video to the media. I was bullied online. Do you have any

"I’m so sorry, Anna."

It’s just a fact. I know you think you owe it to me to be nice because I saved your life but that doesn’t mean you’ve changed. You’re just

that’ why I

"I’m not as naïve and stupid as you think

would you have me do, Anna? Would you have preferred I carry on with

would make me happy is you not trying to pretend you suddenly have amorous feelings for me just to compensate me

the anger glimmering in her eyes is shocking to me. She had been a little more receptive to my harmless flirtations at Demi’s party. What

right." I tell her, dipping my eyes. "I shouldn’t have disrespected you like that. I’m sorry. That will never happen again but please, believe me when I tell you that I am not here because I pity you or feel a perfunctory need to compensate you for saving my life. I don’t consider you a nobody, not anymore. I will forever be indebted to you for saving my life when my death would have made your life easier. Maybe that incident awoke something inside me but it doesn’t mean my intentions are

them. "I just want us to be friends, that’s all." I can feel her heart racing as I pull her in for a hug. Somewhere