Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 138: Chapter 138

DEMI

"What? Ashton knows everything?" Anna paces with her hand on her waist.

I am glad my in-laws have been too distracted to impose bodyguards on me lately. With Ashley’s help, my life is semi-normal in that regard as I only move with one bodyguard, Trevor, who’s smart enough to not make me uncomfortable by being too obvious.

While I am talking with Anna at the honey pot on her off day, Trevor is sipping on a latte and pretending to read a magazine like a regular customer a few tables behind us.

"How did he find out?"

"I don’t know, Anna. Your guess is as good as mine. He showed up at the villa, pulled me aside and immediately started interrogating me about my mother. I tried so hard to defend myself and fend off his suspicion but he was adamant. That only tells me that he’s got irrefutable evidence of my involvement in everything."

"Do you think your aunt and Kira could be behind this?"

I recall Ashton talking about Kira filling him in. "Maybe. He did mention that Kira filled him in. However, I don’t think that’s his major source of conviction. I’ve heard Kira’s theories about my intentions for the Rollins family. She always has a point but she’s not very good at convincing people. I doubt she got through to Ashton that way, unless he already had his suspicions about me."

I want to tug at my hair in frustration because I am unable to fathom how Ashton saw through me. How did this happen? Could uncle Marcel have done this? No. He might have turned a new leaf but he wouldn’t throw me under the bus. He knows my dead parents would never forgive him if any harm comes to me as a result of his actions. At the very least, I can be sure of that.

"What are you going to do now? How do you plan on executing your revenge with Ashton aware of everything? He could expose you, Demi. He surely won’t keep quiet if something bad happens to his family or their business again. He’ll know you’re behind it."

Thoughts of my last night at the villa float back in my head. I had been so scared of my game being up. I was horrified that I had been caught too early, before my revenge was properly executed but I kept a brave face and denied everything. Ashton had assured me that he wasn’t going to make me his culprit. He claimed to understand my pain and even promised to protect me. I don’t know if I can trust him. He might not be Brett’s biological son but he was definitely raised and molded by that monster of a man.

I guess I’ll have to see if he truly meant his words.

"I’ll have to inform Liam."

"He’ll be pissed."

"He would." I agree with Anna. "But I have to warn him. If everything is about to come to an end, I’d hate for Liam to be caught unawares. He still has time to save himself. Besides, Ashton told me father is about to unmask Billion-Err. I don’t know how they intend to do it but Ashton sounded really worried that I’d be exposed once that happens. He was very certain his father had found a way."

"Oh shit. This is all happening so fast. Where did we get it wrong?" She lowers her voice now. "I’m so sorry, Demi. I know how dejected you must feel. You really wanted to teach that family a lesson. At first, I was of the opinion that you move on with your life but after encountering that family, I completely agree that they’re a menace in society and need to be put down like a rabid dog. You did your best."

I shake my head. "It’s not over yet. If Ashton wanted to report me, he would have done so already. Back at the villa, he swore to protect me and begged me to trust him. I think I’ll cling to that. He feels bitterly remorseful over my mom’s death. He won’t expose me even if I strike his family again. I am sure of it."

Anna studies me quietly. "He’s still in love with you."

My eyes flash at her. "What?"

"It’s more than guilt, Demi. Don’t act like you don’t see it. He still loves you. He probably never stopped." She reaches for my hand over the table and squeezes gently. "I remember how much you cried in my house when you got back from the villa that day. You couldn’t even say a word to me. It all makes sense now. You are mad at yourself because your feelings for him haven’t gone away either. You’re desperately trying to distract yourself from it by pushing forward with your plan irrespective of the risks right now because you think allowing yourself to feel something for him will weaken you."

I wrench my hands from hers as beads of sweat coat my forehead. Is she part of uncle Marcel’s club?

"That’s B.S. He said what he had to at the villa to manipulate me. Ashton cares for no one more than he cares for his family. He told me himself. He was only trying to manipulate me to drop my revenge plot against his family. I refuse to fall for it."

"But Demi..."

get back to work. My lunch break’s over and I don’t want to give anyone a reason to complain about me." I grab

left on my break but everything

or his for me. I really thought they had waned over time but I was mistaken. Regardless of what we feel for each other, I am never pursuing it again. It

want to have to walk away feeling lost after reopening my heart to Ashton and being brutally reminded that he

meetings. According to Asher, I can’t be seen

phone buzzes with a message

at

head to the kitchen to get something

you doing?"

"What?"

lunges forward and grabs the bottle in

you trying to harm your

on the label on the bottle. Shit. Habits die hard indeed. I’ve had so much going on in my head

could have sworn that was lemonade. Thanks, Nessa." It takes me a beat to notice her

okay? You’ve been moody all

I set it aside and pull her to a

wrong? Talk

to help me? I know

do everything I

is firing me by

"What? Why?"

a possible promotion on my behalf so I couldn’t turn him down. He got into a quibble with Asher and made insinuations about us hooking up. I don’t know why he would go so far to endanger my career just to hurt Asher’s feelings but Asher’s

thing. Then again, I lack the prerogative to judge another person’s

Asher will let you keep your job even after Josh tells the truth but I’ll make sure Josh keeps his word

you, Demi. I really need this job.

***

to stroll in late and leave work early without anyone fuming at me.

won’t take long to find me, it feels good

through the door of the empty bookstore. Thankfully, Mr. Rahl’s wife mans the counter now. She gives me a benign smile and a nod

few minutes after I take my seat to brood. Then, he takes a long breath

we know how he found

"No idea."

"Are you sure?"

about that right now? I have no idea.

Demi. One might actually think you’re pregnant with those raging

are you going to do

plans for a day like this? They won’t find anything as long as

with a smug look on his face. I want to believe him. He’s something of an underrated tech wiz himself but every time I recall

manage on my own. Most times, just the thought of not disappointing him helps me get back on track when I am

looking? What does that mean?" I ask with furrowed brows. "Who else could look and

which are trained behind me, narrow to slits. "Hey, Demi? Quick question. Why aren’t you incarcerated

my chair and