Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 126: Chapter 126

ASHTON

"What do you mean by you’re not sure if you can ever forgive me?" Mila yells in my face in her home. "Did you already forget the part where I explained this was all Demi’s plot? I told you that she came up with it herself for goodness’ sake! You’ve always asked me to empathize with the woman and when I tried, she laid out a condition before she could trust me. Since she isn’t actually pregnant and stands no chance of getting hurt, I played along. Why can’t you let it go?"

"That’s not the point, Mila. Yes, Demi isn’t really pregnant. Yes, I asked you be kinder towards her, to empathize with her but I didn’t expect you to go along with such a silly plan knowing the ripple effect it will have on my family. I expected you to know better than to stir up another negative report about my family like we don’t already have enough to deal with lately. What happened to knowing more about families like mine compared to Demi? Would you have done the same if it was going to affect Spellman Group?"

"Don’t go that far. It was nothing malicious so don’t paint it like I have something against your family. I just wanted to get into Demi’s good graces, earn her trust somewhat so I can connect with her. If she knows she has a friend in the house, don’t you think her life would be easier? Don’t you think she would be less miserable in that mansion? I did all of that for you because I know you would be happy if she is happy."

"Don’t spin this on me."

"I’m sorry love but as long as it involves her, it will always come right back to you. You made certain of that." She paces around in only a sweater and white lingerie. "I have tried, Ashton. I have twisted myself in uncomfortable shapes just to please you. I am even on the verge of befriending the woman my fiancé is in love with. What more could you ask of me? How understanding can a woman be? Yet, you stand here and choose to point fingers at me alone. I bet you sympathized with Demi above all else. Did she cry on your shoulder?" She shakes her head. "She can never be wrong in your eyes, is that it? Or, you’re desperate for any kind of excuse to call off our engagement."

"Now you’re taking it too far!"

"Am I?" She sidles up to me and places both hands on my chest. Gradually, they slide down. "We’ve been engaged for weeks and I don’t even remember the last time you kissed me or made love to me. Why do I feel like this is peculiar to me? Are you really that uninterested in your future wife or is there someone else you jerk off to while alone?"

When I try to wrench her hands away, she slides them down and grabs my dick.

"Mila, you’re just evading the issue here. I don’t have time for this."

"Then make time. I have needs, Ashton and by this ring on our fingers, you’re meant to satisfy them. She yanks me down with her and captures my lips with hers.

***

"I take it I am forgiven?" She says with a seductive flutter of her eyelashes while I zip up my pants. I can’t even be mad at her. I feel so much limber and relaxed. I needed that to ease off the stress of the last couple of days. When she runs her hand over my bare chest and leaves a trail of wet kisses, my blood starts to hum with desire again. Gently, I push her back. I am really running late.

"I’ve got an appointment."

"Call me as soon as you’re done. Don’t even try to ghost me." Her hands wrap around my neck. "Promise me you’ll miss me. I wish I didn’t have to go for this stupid business meeting."

"That’s the price you have to pay for being Mila Spellman."

"Then I can’t wait to be Mila Rollins so we can have sessions like the last fifteen minutes whenever we damn please."

I didn’t mean to look indifferent or unexcited but Mila catches on and lets her hands slip from my neck.

"Wow, Ash, you can at least pretend to be gleeful."

"Hey, it’s not that." I assure her, snagging her waist with one hand. "I’m sorry. I wish I could be cheerful but things haven’t been going great with my family lately. We are always on the news for the wrong reasons. Internally, we are dealing with a lot of as you know. I just can’t allow myself think selfishly about my own happiness right now. My family needs me more right now. I’ll call you, okay?" I kiss her fully on the lips. "Thank you for helping with Demi. I hope you can sway her to stay in line in the meantime."

"I am no magician but I’ll give it a try."

"That’ll do." She winks at me before I leave.

I was being honest when I said I felt selfish thinking of my own happiness lately. Everything is going south in my family. My kid brothers are out of control. Cree called to tell me Ashal left his penthouse and definitely went to see Madeline. He hasn’t been taking my calls ever since, same with Ashley and Asher. Everyone seems to have gone haywire. To top it all, father is closing in on Adriana’s existence which I can’t have.

I take a breather and head for Keith’s farm house. He might have been ignoring me but I doubt he would be able to keep that up once he sees me at his house.

"You have some balls coming back here." He spits with venom when I park outside the gate. If looks could kill, I would have been dead. I check my own temper and try to be understanding of his. "TURN THE FUCK AROUND."

I get down from my car instead and circle towards him. "Keith, let me in. I can explain everything. It’s not what you think."

"Are you calling me blind and stupid?"

how desperate I have been to meet my sister. Do you really think I will bail on her without a good cause just

don’t care what excuses you have. The

but I am telling you now that I will meet with her one way or the other. Everyone makes mistakes. You are

shoves at me. "FUCK YOU. SHE’LL NEVER BELIEVE

I get the same chance? Why do I have to lose her at the slightest infraction? That’s not how family works, Keith. People fuck up all the time but family remains. It’ll take a whole lot more than your threats to scare

exchange hot glares

no longer interested in meeting you." He

hers. She wants her family back. Dreams are not that

nothing

about that." When he turns around to return inside, I yell after him. "Don’t stand in my way Keith. I don’t want

only glares at

contacts. With the lock on his phone, I’m certain he wouldn’t mind saving Adriana’s number with her name as he

I text in the quad group chat after putting a reasonable distance between me and Keith. Am I

I don’t get a response, I shelve my worries and immediately dial Adriana’s number with bated breath. She doesn’t pick up at first and I immediately understand why. Of course she would

and plan to send a text to clarify my identity if she fails to pick up again.

temporarily astounded to follow back with a quick reply.

I wait a beat to make sure and continue. "I’m so sorry about the last time. I had an unavoidable emergency. I didn’t mean to stand you up. I’m deeply

you get my number?" She asks

I had to get your number

she could speak more so I can get

speak to my

"Ok. I totally understand."

me feel weird. Maybe I am starting to feel how Keith feels because four rich and handsome strangers have appeared to claim

number though? Just

can." That response brightens

I’ll be waiting

thought until Keith starts blowing up my phone barely five minutes later. The big bad wolf must now be aware of the little pickpocket game I

wouldn’t have resorted to that if you

more chance. Consider it

"What?"

meet. I don’t know what you said to her but

happiness. Finally, today is going right for

run a hand over my hair. "When can we meet?" An incoming call buzzes.

bad. Clear your schedule and be back at my

I can get another word in. Never mind, I am beyond thrilled to share everything with the quads. Asher will feel less guilty about

all want to talk?" I laugh as each brother jostles for my attention. When Mila’s call comes through, I ignore the rest to reply to

"Hey."

me earlier today." I smile as I

high spirits,

I see you

my work for the

you see the pics I am sending to

off a bit. Why can’t they leave a damn message so I know if it’s urgent? "I have to go now.

"Ok. Talk later."

and return Ashal’s call because I need to know if he has fucked up with

BEEN? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW BAD THIS CAN GO IF YOU DON’T LISTEN TO

knows." He voices,

to panic. "What? She knows what,

something to do with her boyfriend’s death. She figured out that I had been present at her dorm, watching them on his

my ear and pound my