Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 156: Chapter 156

ASHTON

"Mr. Rollins, I hope the house is to your liking. If it isn’t, there are a few other options you can check out." The strange man in casual jeans and shirt tells me. We are standing in the middle of an opulent duplex with a sprawling staircase and impeccable décor. I have a hard time understanding half the things he’s been saying to me since we met at a bar because I can’t fathom why he won’t just tell me who sent him.

"Otto, right?"

"That’s right."

Otto, who exactly put you up to this?"

"I’m sorry, Mr. Rollins but I already told you that information is classified for the sake of your benefactor. All I can say is that my employer cares about your wellbeing and wants you to live comfortably while you’re going through this hard time."

Whoever is employer is, it’s certainly someone that knows my taste to the tee, I think while observing the minimalist touch of the house and the sport car collection I spied in the garage. That employer also happens to have a truckload of money to dish around if my new bank account balance is any indication. That tells me that it’s definitely a family member. Could it be one of my brothers anonymously trying to help me out? Could it be mother?

"You don’t seriously expect me to live in a house and drive the cars without knowing who’s behind it all, do you?"

"You should, Mr. Rollins..."

"Sawyer."

"What?"

"I go by Ashton Sawyer now. Do you mind keeping up?"

A short flash of bewilderment flits across his pupils but he remains composed.

"Mr. Sawyer, I’d really advise that you accept everything you’re being given from my employer. They’ve gone through great risk setting you up comfortably. It’ll break their heart if you rejected it. They just want you to be happy and safe."

Something warm blooms in my chest. I stare around the house. It’s definitely better than my survival plans.

I’ll stay but tell my mother I want the cameras out. If she wants to see my face, she can call me through an unregistered line." I head for the door while Otto attempts to deny mother’s involvement

Rollins, I mean...Sawyer, your

getting rid of those damn cameras before I change my mind." He

needed to confirm something and when I got back in the garage, there it was. I had only ever mentioned wanting this car to mother. I knew I could purchase it anytime but for

for minivans. I always kept it to myself to avoid getting mocked for my sentimental attachment to the type of car we drove to school in as kids, the car that reminds me of a time in our lives when we were still uncorrupted by our

the grey van. This is definitely mother’s love letter to me, a reassurance. I know she

her without father knowing. Sighing, I blink away the tears threatening

no journalist will be looking for me in a tinted

driver used to drive us to school. I used to wonder why he wouldn’t step on it. I complained about his speed, wondered if he was trying to get us there safely or too afraid to scratch father’s car. I guess my love for fast cars

new life of mine, one where I fear that I can’t protect the

tame Brett Rollins so he never attempts to trifle with me by going after the ones I love just to get at me.

you’re calling is

again, and again, and again. My heart

she’s fine. She’s with her uncle in a different city. I’ll try again on my way back

parents are finally around. The lovely couple gladly welcome me

into you and

exchange shy glances with each

the money you gave us the last time, we took a trip to my wife’s dream,

Mr. Rollins. That trip was more therapeutic than we envisioned. Paul and I got

could help." Smiling, I take a

the brief exchange of awkward stares between the couple before Collete turns to me

hadn’t met you, I probably

for the vote of

parents and brothers? Hope they’re

on us but I believe we’ll pull through eventually." Then, to digress, "Keith has been super helpful to me in your absence. I’ve made incredible

his face. "That’s...good to hear. I was worried he’d be difficult about it given how over-protective he

of her in her sleep, and chucking it into the fireplace before his mom could hand it over to me, flashes in my memory. "But a lot has changed since then. Let’s just say I found a way to get through to