Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 90: Chapter 90

ASHTON

"What did you say?"

Cree shakes her head. "I told you. You wouldn’t believe me." She hisses a breath. "Nicci and I go way back. We met while auditioning to be the poster girl for an ad back when we were teenagers and became good friends. Something happened between us and we lost communication. I stumbled into one of her loyal friends during one of my audition gigs and he sent my contact to Nicci who called me. I guessed she wanted to gloat over how successful she’s become compared to my own shitty life. She promised to forgive and forget the wrong I did to her and even help me out with a good job if I was willing to loan her my acting skills. The rest is history."

Nicola is responsible for tormenting Ashley? How did she know about Tobias and for how long has she known? The second I ask myself the question, the answer comes flooding in. She was with Ashley for years as a couple. He was completely smitten by her.

Their relationship coincidentally kicked off during the peak of Nicola’s career. At that time, Ashley was still dealing with major PTSD while building his brand as a fashion designer. I can only imagine that he must have accidentally mentioned Tobias while spending the night with Nicci as a result of his nightmares. I have been around him when his sleep is plagued by a nightmare. He blurts out A LOT and most of what he says are supposed to be secrets.

How could Nicola hurt him like this? What does she stand to gain by torturing the man she claims to love?

"Why would Nicola do such a thing to a man she claims to love?" I ask Cree.

"I told you. I didn’t ask questions. That was Nicci’s one rule."

I guess I’ll have to leave it to Ashley to figure that out himself.

"Cyril is going to give you your phone and you’re going to call Nicola. I want you to call her and talk to her about her schemes as Shay. I want to confirm your little story." Cree sighs as her phone is brought to her. She quickly dials Nicci’s line. "Turn on the loudspeaker, please."

"She must be pissed at me. I have been avoiding her calls due to the Billion-Err incident." Nicola finally picks up and Cree clears her throat nervously. "Hi Nicci."

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I’m sorry. I meant to call you but with everything on the media, I’ve just been dealing with a lot."

"What’s this story about you and Ashal? You’re going off the rails here, Cree. Your instruction regarding him ended with the blind date. Are you seriously seeing him?" I can’t believe I am hearing Nicola’s voice.

"He’s been helping me Nicci; the job, the apartment. Was I supposed to say no to all of that?"

"I paid you well enough."

"Yes, but he is willing to set me up for a lifetime. I am not stupid. I know what I am doing. Once I get enough resources to set myself up, I’ll end it." Cree avoids my eyes as she explains. I can’t tell if she’s telling the truth or telling lies. Nicola laughs derisively.

"No, you won’t. Women hardly walk away from the quads. Don’t think you can lie to me. I don’t care if you’re desperate to taste one of them. Do whatever you want to do as long as he’s not my Ashley and you don’t fuck up my plans. If you do any of the aforementioned, I won’t spare you, Cree Baxter. You have no idea what I’ll do so it’ll be in your best interest if you don’t test me." Cree gazes up at me.

"I hear you loud and clear, Nicola Grey. You’re not to be trifled with." Nicci hangs up on her. "Was that enough proof for you?"

I close a hand over my mouth.

"You have Shay. I’ll do whatever I can to get you as much proof as you deem necessary."

"Now, you’re ready to implicate someone?"

"That bitch played me. She left clues just so fingers will point inevitably in my direction as a culpable suspect. She used me to distract you guys from ever suspecting her. Now that I think about it, she told me about Mi Rey as a term of endearment and claimed it never fails to weaken you quads. She insisted that whenever I showed up to deliver a note to do any of her dirty work, I should make sure I am seen. It never made sense to me why she wanted that, especially when I could easily have delivered her message and made a clean exit. She told me to seduce a bunch of guys who I later came to realize work for you and your brothers. I had no idea about that Oliver guy or Nicci chatting him up. She wanted you all to have a culprit as far removed from her as possible. I was such a fool not to ask questions but not anymore." Her eyes narrow angrily. "I’ll help you take her down. Just tell me what you need."

Wordlessly, I turn around and start heading for the door.

"Hey, wait! What about me? You promised you wouldn’t harm me. ASHTON!!! YOU NEED ME TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR REAL PARENTS. YOUR REAL FAMILY IS STILL OUT THERE!!!!"

I freeze by the door.

"Your real family," Cree continues breathing heavily, "they’re not all lost. You have a sibling out there! Someone who has the same blood running through your veins! Someone who can share stories about what your real father was like."

I grit my teeth. She’ll say anything at this point to save her skin. She’s contradicting herself. How can I have a sibling if my biological parents died right after having my brothers and I? I don’t bother to clarify with Cree. I am mentally exhausted and too emotionally drained to entertain more of her crap.

"Cyril, shut her up."

WAIT! I’M NOT

the most pain? How is Ashley supposed to take this shocking revelation? He will be in denial at first for sure but after

know his deepest secret. She could have easily gotten our numbers from Ashley’s phone. She’s desperate enough to toy with him, especially if she feels jilted by him as a result of his marriage to Demi. Her career is almost up in flames due to her relationship with him. Everyone calls her his side piece and attributes her success in the modeling industry to nothing more than her illicit affair with

could we not see right through her? She had

study. It’s a strange sight. Even through the haze of anger, my curiosity heightens. What does he

of weeks. My emotions get the best of me and I make my way towards them only for Demi to shudder and throw up in

I’m so sorry, father." She pleads frightfully, staring around helplessly for assistance. Her eyes meet mine. Immediately, I rush forward just as father wipes his face with his handkerchief. While Demi isn’t looking, his hand reels back

Father

hit her." I reply with a deep look he understands as a reminder of our agreement earlier today. He drops his hand and glowers at Demi. "No one throws up at people intentionally." I turn to Demi who is shaking with fear. "Are you

am so sorry, father." She pleads with folded hands. "I must have had something to eat that didn’t sit well with my stomach. I didn’t

every time we meet. The last time, it was wine and now..." He scrunches

and please, forgive her." I implore him. Father retreats to use the bathroom in his study. Alone, Demi continues to shake in

while I watch her go, her shoulders sagged with exhaustion. It feels more mental than physical. "And Ashton,

but I struggle to keep them up. I can’t go back on my word. I am not like father. With anger still pumping hot in my blood, I text my brothers on our group chat. Thankfully, they’re where I need them to be. I take the stairs all the way to the second floor and find everyone kicking back on the sofa,

Asher quips with a dash of sarcasm in

Hugh was right after all. Asher will literally do whatever it takes to keep father happy even if it means marrying a bride recommended for him. Maybe I should take Hugh up on his offer and set

a night. What’s up?" Ashal asks. Ashley stops playing pool and stares up at

"Cree finally talked."

owned up to her crime earlier if you hadn’t insisted on playing the nice guy and having her held up in that house instead of a holding cell." He returns to

I burst his bubble. "She was only paid to do Shay’s bidding and cover

the suspense, Ash, you’re not in a theatre production." Asher snaps impatiently. "Who the fuck is the real blackmailer? Tell me you got a name." I ignore him to watch Ashley’s face when I say

"Shay...is Nicola!"

everyone takes their time to process it. Everyone

"That can’t be right."

first but it makes perfect

it can’t be."

certain that Nicola has no idea about Tobias, the reason for your struggle with PTSD?" Ashley’s lips move but he fails to find the words to contradict me. "Your nightmares. You must have had them around her. You must have said things that didn’t make sense

holds his head in his

from the tenor of their conversation, everything Cree admitted checked out. Nicci used your

she loves me. Why would she do such a

you got married and made her settle for being the sidepiece. That downgrade from being a girlfriend was damaging to her career. She has multiple

why I don’t keep the same woman around for long. They start

Asher." Ashal chides him. "This is hardly

keys. "I have to talk

that we finally caught the true culprit. Tomorrow, invite her over to your office and make sure the cameras are

"This is a personal matter, Ashton. I’m sure whatever her reasons are, they aren’t as malicious as you all think. No one

"Ashley! Asher calls.

and she just opened up to me about how he hits her. She’s depressed over losing me as a boyfriend too. I can guess why she did what she did but I can’t layer this on top of everything else. She’ll contemplate suicide. I

my mind that she could be culpable but I chose to trust

I prompt

She asked me about it and I confided in her. It was a long time

think she went back on her word to keep your secret

me back to her. Even after she hurt my feelings publicly, lied and levied the blame on me, I ran to her whenever my nightmares began. She nursed me. We...bonded. Lately, with Demi in the picture, I have been drifting away from her. She kept complaining that she felt like she was losing me to Demi. I didn’t do anything to allay her fears. That must be the reason she resorted to this. She must have hoped that,

didn’t you?" I ask the question on everyone’s minds. "If you aren’t running back to

fall blindly in love with your sketchy wife and offer our family’s secret to her on a platter

okay? I told you the affirmations and working out helps." He avoids our

specific about the nights they’ve been sharing

Is that right?" Asher asks.

there’s something else, come out with it now, Ashley." I persist, seeing his

her in my room. She told me she gave me a cold compress and nursed me the entire night. When I asked specifically about saying anything weird during the night, she called it gibberish. I don’t know what she heard

we interrogate

be affirming whatever suspicions she might have." Ashal counters. "I vote we don’t hassle Demi. Like I did with the penthouse, we have to assuage her doubts somehow.

plan. We reschedule a later date to brainstorm on