Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 152: Chapter 152

DEMI

His stare is as daunting as a fist. He looks from Cree to me, a suspicious glint in his eyes.

"Cree?"

"Hi." Cree replies with a fake smile, unsure which brother she was talking to. "Fancy meeting you here, Ash..." She trails off.

He intentionally fails to complete her words but pins me with an uncertain look. Ice rakes up my arms as his bluish pupils fixate on me. Uncomfortable with being between us, Cree bobs her head. "I was just on my way out."

But when she tries to circle past him, his arm shoots out and clamps her thin wrist like a vice without breaking eye contact with me.

"Wait five minutes for me downstairs, Cree. I’ll drop you off after Demi and I are done talking. I won’t be long." Now he tears his eyes from mine and smiles warmly at her. "I’m glad I ran into you here. Got a few things to get off my chest." Cree peels her wrist free, nods before heading down. Now, he turns to me.

I can tell from his hooded eyes that he suspects my every move. Cree being here of all places must have been shocking to him seeing as I barely ever related with the woman who brandished a gun at Ashal months back.

I want to insist that it’s not what he thinks and that I am not conspiring with Cree but something tells me that lame explanation won’t fly, not with the disappointment and disdain simmering in his eyes.

"What was she doing here?" He asks flatly, lounging by the door.

"Why don’t you ask her on your way back to Danvarr?" I cross my arms over my chest. "I’m more interested in what you’re doing here. I never gave this address. Did Ashley tell you after my uncle called him? Even if he did, what do you want from me, Asher? If you’re here to beg..."

"I’m not!" He insists vehemently, a frown creasing his eyebrows. He jams both hands in his pocket and expels a deep breath. "I will never beg you, Demi Branson. I’m not like the rest of my brothers!"

"And they’re better for it."

"I’m not here to bicker with you either."

"Then why are you here?" I snap, my impatience peaking. I can’t stand him because everything about him reminds me of the salient reasons why I sought to avenge my parents.

Him being unabashed and unremorseful of his family’s sins grates on my nerves. He is more Brett than he will ever know. Ashton is the polar opposite. He is the ice to Asher’s fire, the warmth to Asher’s chill, the contrition to Asher’s indifference. Ashton centers me, and helps me prioritize forgiveness over revenge in a way none of his family members ever will.

I am seething with a fresh poke of anger just by having Asher within two feet of me. Even the way he breathes and stares irks me. If I don’t dismiss him soon, my anger might get the best of me. I might even do something I’ll heavily regret just to send a message to Brett’s favorite minion.

"I’m here to look you in the face when I tell you to stay the heck away from my brother!" Our foreheads are almost grazing as he squares up on me. "Ashton is about to lose the only family he has ever known, the only life he has ever known because of you! HE IS ABOUT TO BE DISOWNED BECAUSE OF HIS DOGGED SUPPORT OF YOU, AN ENEMY OF OUR FAMILY."

floor

fault. HE THOUGHT HE WAS SAVING YOUR PARENTS. HE NEVER MEANT TO SEND THEM INTO THAT DEATHTRAP BUT THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO YOU, DOES IT,

you. Mila is a better view and a much better deal. YOU DON’T DESERVE HIM, DEMI. You never will. Go right ahead and do your worst. Sink my family to the ground if that helps you sleep better at night but don’t pretend to give a shit about my brother and break his heart further into smithereens when he later realizes what

before the tears fall and casually dab

way here. Tell him whatever it will take to end whatever’s going on between you two. If I can prove to my father that Ashton isn’t

nothing without his mother and brothers. You will never be able to comfort

sink to my bed and huff out a gust of breath. Brett Rollins must be insane. How could he think of punishing only Ashton? This can’t just be about me. It makes no sense. The family went

he asks how I came upon this information? If he knows Asher has been here, he’ll throw a hissy fit and refuse to listen when I send him back to his family.

through our front door two hours later, after I texted him my location just to

you okay?" He skims my face with his

"I’m just spending some time with my uncle. I didn’t

he rocks them freely now, confidently too. He looks dapper back in his leatherjacket and pants with a white

"What do you want?"

worried when

throw the bait. "Is your father threatening fire and brimstone over Billion-Err’s posts?" Though his lips curve slightly in a smile, it’s the nervous tightening of his hands at his sides that give away his anxiety. My heart breaks to discover

a typical day at the mansion. Father is naturally

my head. Could you ever get over

shoulders and squeeze gently, disarming me. His eyes pull me into great

leaving shortly but I wanted to see that you were fine and tell you to stay here in the

"What? Why?"

problems. I fear that he might nurse the idea of abducting you to stop Billion-Err from rolling out more secrets. He believes you’re the one feeding it to them." Before I can protest, he continues. "He is dangerous, Demi. I know him and I am afraid to give him the benefit of doubt here. I think it’s safer for you to be here or possibly move to a hotel or somewhere else just in case they track

mind me using an alias, do

of

phone

really need to

the only one who’s got this address." I lie smoothly to ease his fear. "Besides, Asher knows better than to let father come after me. I made it clear during our last meeting that hurting me will not

think Asher got

I

"How?"

times for your family. They need you by their side, not siding their enemy." I press a hand to his lips to stifle his protest. "I forgive you, Ashton. Believe that I have but unfortunately, I am

"Not really."

and worry less about me. I can handle myself, Ashton." I cup his cheeks. "Most importantly, I’m going to need you to trust that no matter how ugly things