Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 170: Chapter 170

DEMI

Maddi pulls me roughly by the arm into when we go into the kitchen under the pretense of getting refreshments for everyone. I already knew this was going to happen given the temper flashing in her eyes after I laid out my plan. She clicks the door shut and turns to me, eyes flashing.

"You’ve got to be kidding me. What the hell was that? Do you really expect me to wait that long? By the time your fucking plan crystalizes, Ashal might be in a worse condition." She wipes her chin and moistens her lips. "Look, I’m just going to tell you this. Your plan’s reasonable but right now, reasonable will likely get Ashal killed and I’m not having it."

"You’ve got a better idea?" I tilt my head, amazed that she’d bother to share with me rather than go behind my back to do what she feels is right.

"I kind of do. It’s not fully fleshed out but it’s quicker than yours. If things go well, I could have Ashal back in time to cut his birthday cake." Her eyes light up just thinking about it.

A small smile plays across my lips as she shares the details of her plans with me.

"Maddi, it’s a good plan but that good plan could also get Ashal killed because it depends a lot on just you. Things are likely to go wrong if you try to save Ashal all by yourself." I place both hands on her shoulders to assure her. "I know how you feel. Thankfully, I managed to pick up a few things during my time at the mansion. I learnt to never bank on one plan. The more backup plans you have, the higher your chances at success."

"You have a backup plan?"

"Three, actually."

"Do they all ensure that Ashal gets rescued faster than plan A?"

"With the element of surprise in play? Certainly."

Now, Maddi gazes at me like I am her heroine. "I want to hear it all, NOW."

I recall a few lessons I have learnt from the Rollins family. Brett has taught me to always stay one step ahead of my enemies by always covering my base and making it extremely difficult for them to poke holes in my defense. Mother has taught me quiet strength. Although she appears to be the weakest link in the house, she has the Rollins men in the palm of her hands. Asher is very calculative and gives little room for emotions to drive his decisions or actions. Most times, that trait has made him a formidable threat.

Ashley can be volatile because he switches back and forth between being the good guy and the guy who isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Ashton is great at being unpredictable. Despite knowing his principles and temper, there’s always a nagging fear that he won’t conform or act the way you presume regarding any situation. He keeps you guessing and ends up surprising you all the time. Ashal doesn’t instantly appear to be a threat. In fact, it’s easy to let your guard down around him but when you get to know the different layers to him, everything becomes too late. He’s just as complicated as the rest of his family.

And me as a former member of that clan? I don’t stand out at all but I plan to tap into each person’s strength and switch between them as I go on. That will be my signature move as the former Demi Rollins.

Before I can share plan B with Maddi, Kat enters.

"Why make us go through this plan if you were just going to go behind our backs and do things differently?" A conspicuous frown creases her forehead as she hooks both hands on her hips. "I don’t get it, Demi."

"I needed to rub minds with more like-minded people in other to flesh out my other plans, Kat. This was no waste of time. Each one of us has peculiar strengths that can be harnessed to hasten things up and I intend to take advantage of it all. How else could I have known about Skylar’s postcards?" I beam at her. "I’m not doing this all by myself anymore. I want a team with the best people at the helm. Would you like to hear how you and Maddox fit in?"

She shrugs her shoulders. "Sure. Lay it on me."

After I am finished, they help me make a few tweaks to solidify our chances.

"I’ll get started with my sister." Maddi quips. She kisses my left cheek. "I’ll call when she takes the bait." She dashes out in a hurry.

"I better go help my brother investigate the postcards." Kat says with a smile. "What about my mum and your uncle."

"The less they know for now, the better for them. I think us younger folks can handle this."

answer. "You know what? I’d do the same if I were in your shoes. Go for it. Trust you to make the right decision." I watch her return to the living room. In the kitchen alone, I

in place? Yes. However, the chances are slimmer than with one plan and that’s good enough for me. I whip out my phone to make a call that

got some nerve, you know

anymore than you do but I need to talk to you, in

for

me there." The line cuts

***

walk up to his car and slide into

is this

"I think you already

In case you’ve forgotten, my brother has been abducted and my family is about to

that I truly did that to Ashal, I wouldn’t be walking freely, Asher. I know that much about you. You didn’t buy into that fake video or the call I was forced to make to Ashton. That’s why you have been uncharacteristically calm about getting back at me." He only looks away from me, proving my point. "Anyway, I’m not here to defend myself to you. I have a favor

under his breath, then turns to me with a

I don’t need

the fuck are you in my car, Demi? Out

and I’m

eyes get

to move Ashal out of Liam’s guarded house last minute. With so many eyes outside, they wouldn’t have time to drag security along to Ashal’s new location. If they do, I’ll need you to be prepared to rescue your brother instead." I proceed to give him details of my plans before he can demand for

nick of time, there isn’t a better way than for us to work together. By us, I mean your family has to cooperate with me and my people. I know they don’t want anything to do with me right now so I’m going to need you to pass along my plans. They’ll play along

impatiently on his steering wheel as

billionaires with just my might. I know that much. You have the men and the money at your command.

think I don’t already

us to join forces with the Rollins family. That’s how we get Ashal back safely, by working together secretly. Skylar also joined forces with Liam to execute their shared goal. Alone, she couldn’t have come this far. Why can’t we do the

with my words but he remains

goes beyond what you feel for Ashton. You’ve earned the right to desire our

huff out a breath. "I am doing this for me first before anyone else, Asher. I don’t know how your family copes with all the guilt from your past actions but I can’t live with mine knowing I led Liam here. This isn’t the justice I set out to achieve with him. He’s become the monster he was supposed to fight. I need to stop him before things get out of hand." I lock eyes with Asher. "Your family still deserve to pay

nothing

so many people

to light. They’re not just random people. They’re my family and I trust them. You know all about trusting family, don’t

they better not screw this up is all I’m

cake." I assure him, borrowing

Something strange moves over his face at my words.

from there. Is

I unlock the car, get

"Demi?"

hum

will be

to know where Ashton will be at. I want to face him after Ashal is

say whatever else is on his mind. Finally, he caves. "Don’t wear that damn dress to our party. I’m not sharing all that media attention with you." The car roars to life as he zooms off. A hint of a smile plays on my face. Did he just make an attempt

is lost on me as I make my way to the living room where Mr. Spellman awaits me. I know a lot goes on behind the walls of families like this. I am just