Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 83: Chapter 83

ASHLEY

"How’s everything on the home front?" Levon mutters to me after we wrap up our board meeting. I survey the thinning room till my assistant, Lexi, shuts the door behind her and sigh exasperatedly.

"Good. Thanks for the last time. Turns out I was worried for nothing."

"Really?"

"Yep. Wife was a little stressed and confided in my brother. Paranoid, I misconstrued the situation. We’ve managed to work out our issues. It’s our five months anniversary in a few days and she’s excited to celebrate our love."

Levon nods with a smile. "Amazing. Happy for you."

"What about you, Levon? How’s the girlfriend or wife?"

"Girlfriend. She’s great. Got a new job. Coupled with the hours I spend here, we barely see each other now but when we do, fireworks." He finishes with a dramatic flash of hands. "I’m really happy for you, boss. Love looks really good on you."

"Thanks, Levon."

"Can I expect to be a godfather soon with rumors in the air?" The nasty wink he gives me makes me chuckle.

"Very confident of you to assume you’ll be my kid’s godfather. I’ve got three brothers that’ll jostle for that position in a bloodbath. Thanks for the thought though. Now, get back to the job I hired you for while I am still being nice." We exchange smiles as he makes his way out of my boardroom.

With him gone, I shut my eyes and sigh. Demi and I are indeed planning a little private dinner to celebrate our fifth month of marriage and the new era in our lives. She doesn’t want anything elaborate. We are in a good place right now.

After we made up following Ashton’s confession two weeks ago, she spends some nights in my room and vice versa. I understand the switch to sharing a room can’t happen overnight so I am letting her take her time.

She was right. Being the Ashley that took her on that date before the gift box incident is a surefire way to touch her heart. It’s been paying off. Without being made to feel pressured or love bombed, Demi has been easygoing and loving towards me.

The best part is that I didn’t have to shed my dignity by groveling at her feet. I go about my life, working hard. I don’t act insecure when she gets a call or text in my presence or when she’s around Ashton. She quickly clears the air even when I never planned on asking questions.

It’s been great. She is indeed making efforts to fulfil her promise while I readily reciprocate every affection thrown my way. I think it’s a win in the end.

The only upsetting thing is that Ashton is still angry with me for everything that happened. I could go on just fine ignoring him but my other brothers keep pushing for our reconciliation. Now, I am forced to seek Ashton’s forgiveness. It sucks.

Mother didn’t take Ashton’s confession to Demi lightly. Despite our collective plea on Ashton’s behalf, she’s still upset with him for telling Demi the truth and has been giving him the silent treatment ever since. Mother’s anger and watching Demi and I thriving as a couple are part of the reasons why Ashton can’t stand me.

Adding to the fray is the fear of Shay’s next move. My brothers and I have all gotten new phone numbers but Shay has yet to take the bait by calling or texting any of us. That bit is what has got me anxious right now. It’s never a good sign when Shay stays silent.

I don’t even know why I haven’t shared her recent escapades with my brothers. I think we are just too divided right now. Ashton used to be the captain of my ship and the most determined to capture my blackmailer.

Though he is heading the new operation to catch Shay, he’s more interested in capturing her because he suspects she’s the same person toying with his head regarding the identities of our biological parents. It’s not just about me anymore.

With everything that’s happened between us and his past failures, it will be foolhardy for me to count on him to win my battle. Hence, why I am taking my fate in my own hands.

I check my time. My next meeting won’t start for about two hours. With time to kill, I resolve to scope out Cree’s apartment and her job. She hasn’t called me back after I left her a message at work. I want to head over there once more to talk to her. Afterwards, I’ll tail her to her apartment and we’ll see from there.

I also believe that Cree and Shay are one and the same person. Before my brothers unmask her, I want to get to her first. I have a few things to say to my blackmailer. If I can get her to spill the truth, I will soon be rid of this Shay problem before she ruins everything I have worked so hard to build from the scraps of my life years ago. I can’t let that happen.

Demi’s call comes through on my new phone line.

"Hey, I was just thinking about you."

"Liar. You would have called first then."

I chuckle at that. "Are you saying you were thinking about me and that’s why you called first?"

"Maybe."

Her response makes something warm blossom in my chest. "I miss you too." I can imagine a small blush seeping into her cheeks now. "What’s up?"

While I listen to her, the sound of locks jiggling behind me makes me crane my neck towards my bookshelf. A small wave of uneasiness settles in my gut as I realize who my unwanted guest is. Nicola enters with a face smeared with tears and mascara. I hold up a hand to stop her when she tries to walk towards me to cry in my lap.

"Alright hon, I’ll talk to you when I get home." The term of endearment makes Nicci snort loudly as she plunks down on the sofa.

"You have company?" Demi asks me.

"Nah, it’s Lexi. She and Levon have been butting heads all morning. Talk soon."

I wait for her to hang up before swiveling my seat to face Nicci. "What the fuck was that? Could you be more obvious?"

her so sad douses my anger. Her father lost the election and has been just as miserable. He took out his frustration on her by blaming her for fumbling her relationship with Finn who had been

and comfort in my arms. She has managed to convince herself that she is entitled to my attention and comfort because my name played a key

logic, I refrain from doing so out of empathy. I mean, I used to be whipped for this model. The feelings have ebbed since her betrayal but

with you." Nicola

have to rise above this, Nicola. You’ve turned down three modeling offers in two weeks. This kind of

and fall if I try to walk a show right now." She yanks a Kleenex tissue box and blows her nose into a tissue. "Everyone’s abandoned me, even my own father. After blaming me for everything, he took off to Croatia. I don’t know when he’s coming back.

grapples mine. "I keep slipping in and out of depression. Two nights

"Nicci!."

so miserable and alone. The one good thing I had going for me was snatched by Demi. I’m slowly losing the will to live, Ash. I’ve got nothing if I don’t have

my chest. Is she really going

Nicci. Don’t say shit like that. Your father only lost a political position. People have lost worse and you don’t see them trying to self-harm

to my desk to pour myself some water to drink. I won’t let her charms work on me. How convenient. The first time a woman (Demi) decides to give me

swear to you, I did all that because my dad forced me to." She comes to stand next to me. With teary eyes, she starts to

the hell

shaky ones that

what you think. I need to show you something." When she turns her bare back to me, there are red and purple welts across her back. "For every time I refused to heed his orders to seduce or sleep with

"Croatia, huh?"

He’s not worth it." She says, spinning back to face me. Her hands cup my face. "You’re all I need." I stare into her blurry eyes and lose myself to the pain, fear and

I was. I miss you so much. I miss us. Please tell me there’s still a real place for me in your heart.

***

they say. Women fuck you differently when they really

be that nagging feeling that she secretly wishes I was Ashton. Like my feelings for Nicci,

for by Nicola’s enduring affection. I need both women to keep me from being the

as

"Feeling better?"

before planting a soft kiss on my lips. Just then, Lexi knocks twice on the door

bids me farewell and uses the secret door

"Lexi?"

"I didn’t mean to..."

"I know."

"My lips are sealed."

are." A fond image of Lexi and I in the lounge area makes a small smile tug at my lips. Lexi seems to be recalling the same thing as she avoids my eyes. "Come here, love." Cautiously, she edges close to me. I trail a finger down her

mind my

always

"He’s fine."

let’s keep it

Ashton’s aura that makes people dread getting on his bad side even without him threatening them. I actually have to threaten

introduced her to. I know she clearly loves the fragrance but I indulge myself with the thought of her wearing my signature scent for other reasons

"Thank you, sir."

hotel. I am certain Cree should be at work. When I get to the bar,

"Welcome back, sir."

"What?"

soon." His eyes dart around. "Where’s Cree?" I adjust my face not to look

forgot something, I was hoping

didn’t find any missing ring" He starts giving the counter a

the waiters? Maybe they can search

and Cree shared a drink here at this bar, like you did on your first date. If you dropped your ring, it has

when I suggested he woo her and tail

bartender asks, staring at my hand. "A wedding ring?" The suspicion starts to build in his eyes as he looks at me. "I’m sure you weren’t

away." I lean forward to whisper in his ear. "The whole mystery

understand.

quickly leave from there and call

are you at work? Wanted

crap, I am not there

are you? Can

A little

"Okay. Take care."

my teeth at the boldfaced lie. What the

***

with her. To my surprise, Asher didn’t explode like a cannonball. Instead, he asked

and informed Ashton. To my shock, he already knew and never told the rest of us. Like Asher, Ashton was wary about

culprit leaking our phone numbers to Shay/Cree. After we have solid evidence on Cree, we will confront Ashal but not before then so