Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 100: Chapter 100

DEMI

"You had me followed?" I ask him as my eyebrows knit in a frown. "Is that what we’re doing now, Ashely? You’ve got someone tailing your wife now?"

"Don’t evade the topic. I didn’t have you followed. Someone saw you and sent me this picture?"

"Who? Why would they care that I visited a colleague from work if you didn’t put them up to it?" Who could have taken this photo? What else did they see?

"You’re stalling, Demi." Ashley growls angrily. "I need to know why you had the guts to go pay Josh and Kristy a visit after everything that happened here when Josh visited. I told you to stay away from Josh, told you what he did to my brother but you disregarded everything and went to pay a visit to our enemy. WHY?"

"I also told you not to drag me into whatever issues you all have with Josh. I bear no grudge against him. He’s been nothing but kind towards me. He’s helped me a lot to navigate the complexities of my role at work while Asher drives me crazy every day in the office. I went over to Josh’s place to apologize again for the humiliation he suffered here. I wanted him to know that I wasn’t in on it nor did I enjoy watching that shit show."

Ashley narrows his eyes at me. "What exactly is going on between you two, Demi?"

"What are you insinuating?"

"I saw you. You were smiling malevolently when Josh showed up for lunch. It was almost like you knew how much it would upset us to have him here and was excited to see everything unfold."

He saw me? Does he think I know the truth about josh’s paternity? I move to clear his doubt.

"I smiled at seeing my work friend, Ashley. Since when did you become an expert at reading people’s smiles or facial expressions?" I sigh tiredly. "You’re still mad over the test results and now you’re resorting to making things up just to make me the bad guy. I also watched you that night when your father called me names. You stood there and didn’t bother to defend me. It was almost like you agreed with everything he said about me. I chose to give you the benefit of doubt rather than reading meanings into your blank face and inaction. I guess I was a fool to not pick a fight first."

Ashley slips his phone in his pocket.

"You went over to Nicci’s that night, didn’t you?" I try to distract him from his suspicions towards me and Josh.

He straightens his shoulders. "Yes, I did."

I shake my head from side to side. He didn’t even try to deny it.

"You must really love her."

"Maybe I do. You make it really easy for me to desire her, Demi. At least with her, I can be certain that I am wanted, appreciated. I have cut ties with her and pushed her to the back burner all for you and what did I get in return? Nothing! You say you’re willing to have a life with me but at the first chance you get, you push me away. You constantly remind me that I am not my brother. Why should I stick around you like glue, waiting and praying that you would one day not mix my name up with Ashton’s or desire me instead of him?"

"I agree that I haven’t been easy to deal with but running back to your ex? The same woman who tormented you as Shay? That’s more than desperate, Ashley. That’s pathetic." When I stand to go into my bathroom and freshen up, he grabs my wrist. There’s murder in his eyes. "What are you doing? Let go of me!"

"You will stay away from Josh Randall and his mother! That’s an order!"

"And if I don’t? Would you hurt me?" My eyes flash angrily at him. "Would you also hurt your father too? Last I checked, he also doesn’t consider Josh an enemy of this family so why is no one giving him grief over their closeness?"

Ashley’s grip loosens and I wrench my wrist free. "For the last time, Ash, don’t drag me into your war. Josh is my friend. I won’t desert him because you hate him, not unless he gives me a personal reason to."

"It’s already personal. He tried to kill Ashton. Do you really not care even for him? I thought you loved him?"

My hands freeze on the door knob. Why is he so desperate to make me desert Josh that he is even willing to use my weakness for Ashton?

"You’ve got to stop doing that. I am not a fool that will not stick to my guns just because Ashton is mentioned. I’ve told you, Ashton and I have moved past that. Stop trying to use him to get me to change my mind about things. It’s not going to work. One last thing, tell your informant or private investigator to stay the hell away from me. I don’t have anyone following your every move even though it hurts me where you end up going most times. You are already cheating on me. The least you can do is not treat me like a fucking property by having me followed!"

him and slam the bathroom door behind me. A long sigh escapes my lips.

in a swing of preparations for Ashton and Mila’s engagement ceremony. Father is having the event at one of his biggest hotel chains, Rollins Towers. Every day, I lose track of how wealthy my new family is. Keeping up with their assets is a full-time sport. I try to distract myself with

guessing why. He isn’t one to easily back down because of a small threat, unless my threat wasn’t

been going about work like a robot. Even Nessa shuffles to my office to ask if all is well with Asher as he refuses to open up to her. I assure her that nothing has

call. This is the first time she is returning my call after she walked me out of her house to spend time with her new boyfriend, Asher. I have a few things to get off my chest but as I prepare to lash at her, her teary voice

slow down. What’s

the secret of

about that? Anna,

scared of getting treated. I know how he feels. My dad was equally terrified about it. It’s one of the reasons why I bonded with Asher because I saw a different side of him that he hides from the world. He isn’t all bad, Demi. He’s my friend whom I eventually fell in love with. I know this wasn’t the

can never be loyal to you." I

marry me ever, Demi. I know the reality of our situation. I just love him and I am okay with him loving

can’t change him, Anna. I know you believe you can change him one day but you can’t. You risked your life for him and he didn’t change. Helping him to save his life won’t do that either. He has a single goal; to please his father

the version of him that only I get to see. Nothing else matters. I can protect myself. I’d probably get sick of him one day or find someone I can do life with but till then, I want to promise you that my relationship with Asher will never compromise the promise I made to you. Your

her but I can’t. She withheld information that could have been useful

if he threatens to leave you if you don’t give him some incriminating evidence against me? You literally just called me to convince him to keep seeing you, right? You want me to assure him that you didn’t betray him. Who’s to say you

any better,

bad. Don’t do anything. Have your fun with him and keep my secrets to yourself no matter what. That’s all I ask." She thanks me. "I’ll go talk to him and make sure he gets the

barge into Asher’s office, startling Nessa who is hunched over his desk, showing him

how to knock?" He snaps at

"It’s urgent sir."

to enter my office, knock and don’t come in until

I continue to

us. There’s a hint of worry in her eyes as

this act and give Anna the silent treatment just to get back at me? She never told me anything about your..." He glances at me when I hesitate. Maybe

didn’t tell you, how did you find out?" His eyes narrow to

move out of Danvarr before she betrays you." I shake my head. "Word of advice? If you don’t want people clueing in on something you want to keep a secret, don’t make them suspicious. I have walked in on you taking pills more than once and

his chair. "Thank you

Anna. Don’t play with

am bad news for her. I probably should end

bastard. Now, he wants to end things when she’s desperate for him? The

you in a week or two. I never liked you for her anyway." And just like I expect

glare at him. Of course he would lay it thick now to spite me. He’s so predictable sometimes. I knew he would do exactly the opposite

later texts me not to divulge his secret but instead of a backup threat, he leaves it at that to

is happy to see that I am doing okay after everything she shared with me. Josh also comes over to join us to Amber’s surprise. I make the introductions and we all have our meals. Shortly after, Amber leaves us

with the

have other friends that deserve my attention

can tell he is still mad at father for not defending

be mad too if

"What?"

mistake us for father and son, I’d expect he would defend me against his sons in the face of humiliation. I also think father could have done more than

been taking his calls. He has called me to his office but I refused to discuss anything that isn’t

as you

You don’t know how much