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."

jaws hit the floor with a

not to grovel at your feet over an accident that wasn’t his 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, ICE

really don’t see what he sees in 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

tears fall and

I’m sure he’s on his 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 going behind our backs to support you despite everything you’re doing to us, maybe father will welcome him back

mother and brothers. You will never be able to comfort him so do right by him and let him go once

he think of punishing only Ashton? This

picks. What the hell am I supposed to say if he asks how I came upon this information? If he knows Asher has been here, he’ll throw a hissy fit and refuse to

door two hours later, after I texted him my location just to get him to

face with his hands. "You suddenly

time with my uncle. I didn’t think I needed anyone’s

curls as he escorts me to my room upstairs. It’s great that he rocks them freely now, confidently too. He looks dapper back in his leatherjacket and pants with a white tee peeking from his chest. Inside my room, my heart clenches when our eyes meet. My throat dries up as my eyes dip to his soft lips. Clearing my throat, I edge away from

"What do you want?"

was worried when I couldn’t reach

threatening fire and brimstone over Billion-Err’s posts?" Though his lips curve slightly in a smile, it’s the nervous tightening

typical day at the mansion. Father is naturally upset

in my head. Could you ever get over the loss of

hands come down on my shoulders and squeeze gently, disarming me. His eyes

so I’ll be leaving shortly but I wanted

"What? Why?"

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 you down to your uncle’s home. I’ll set you up in a hotel no one will go looking in." His hands drop from my shoulders and immediately, he is tapping

don’t mind me using an alias, do

from my eyes at the stiffness of

Sit down." I snatch his phone and pull him

really need

here. You’re 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 only trigger Billion-Err to release more

Asher

I

"How?"

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,

"Not really."

I can but in the meantime, I’m going to need you to stick with your family 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 get while I am trying my very best to rectify the mess that I have created,