Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 172: Chapter 172

ASHTON

The D-day is finally here. I wake up with the nastiest hangover I ever had in a while. It takes an hour for the world to stop spinning and for the banging inside my head to stop. I contemplate staying in bed for the better part of the morning but decide against it the second I open my blinds and see the madness downstairs. Mother is in full party planning mode, supervising the arrangements she had already made.

As usual, the courtyard has been transformed. There are so many uniformed people moving furniture, making decorations etc. It irks me to see the over-the-top decorations that had been made just to please Demi. Some of the media personnel are already in the compound, filming the scene. I grit my teeth as my rage bubbles hot. I won’t be able to stay here. I’ve got to go somewhere to clear my head before the party tonight.

Three hours later, I find myself behind the wheels of Ferrari, taking off my hand gloves and gnashing my teeth over the race I just lost by a wide margin. I am too embarrassed and disappointed in myself to bother asking for a rematch to prove any point. I know for certain that I will lose again. I can blame it on being scatterbrained but that has never stopped the best racers. They never let their moods fuck up their race. That is something I am yet to learn.

When my eyes flick to my wrist watch, it’s still a few hours before the party kicks off. I put my foot back on the gas and honk three times. When my opponent does the same, I know he’s cool with a rematch. This time, I intend to win.

We return to the start of the line, revving our engines as the countdown begins. At the sound of the gunshot, I whiz across the tracks like the life of a loved one depended on it. For the most part, the world skipping by me felt like a blur. I pummel the steering wheel in anger when unwelcomed thoughts start to filter into my head again.

I just want to forget about everything that’s been happening in my life lately. However, it feels especially difficult to do that today. I can’t seem to stop beating myself up about the roles I played to make such a sad day happen for my family. I hurt Demi’s parents. I married her and brought her into my family. I failed to protect her during her time as the daughter-in-law of our family. In a way, I created the monster she has become. Now, she’s punishing me by going after the people I care about.

My inside voice begins to chide me. "Get over yourself, Ashton. Did you really think she was going to let all that pain go just because of the butterflies you gave her stomach? Did you think loving her was ever going to be enough to save her from the drowning pain of losing her family? She was already lost before you met her at the Blue Cave. Nothing and absolutely no one comes before her revenge. Stop making the mistake of forgetting that bitter truth."

I jerk back to reality with the roar of cheers and applause in the air just as I cross the finish line. I won? Like hell. I swing the car to the right, jump down and storm to my opponent’s car, tapping on the window.

"A word?"

When he gets down, his helmet is still on. At my behest, he takes it off. The first thing I notice is the tumble of lush brown hair, cascading over her shoulders. Well, that stings.

"Congratulations." The lady tells me, offering a slender, well-manicured hand.

"I wanted a fair race. Do you think I am stupid? I was distracted the whole time and did even worse than the last race. You practically let me win."

She winces a bit. "It’s your birthday, isn’t it? Consider that my gift to you."

Frowning, I make way for the bleachers. Being won by Mila never stung like the way I feel right now over this stranger. Maybe it’s time to go home before more people get on my already raw nerves.

At home, I manage to weasel my car into the compound because our property is crawling with uninvited guests lounging in their cars outside the gate. Even Demi’s aunt and her daughter keep screaming on top of their lungs that they are relatives of our family as Duncan and his men start to chase them away.

Cameras flash in my face as I get down from my minivan and make my way into the house, stifling the urge to smash a face or two the whole time.

Mother says bright-eyed. "The party starts in less than

a forehead kiss. "I know, mother. You should get a nap before then. You look stressed." My eyes scan

to fault my party décor at the very least." She offers a thin smile. Behind her, I spot Anna and two other

been very helpful today." Mother whispers, following my eyes. "I wasn’t sure whether she came to help out of the goodness of her heart or

the other two unfamiliar faces

Demi wants them here. Said she needs to be able to look around and spot familiar faces that aren’t

"She what?"

just because of her affiliation to Demi. Yet, I find myself struggling to rein in

on my chest

know if he already left to try and

Ashal’s outfit picked out, remember? Don’t

with the

"Demi wanted..."

as she pleases at MY party without running it by me first. She won’t even let me talk to my brother and here she is, sneaking more

we’re not spying

I whip out my phone and hastily scroll to find and unblock Demi’s number. When I dial it, it’s switched off. "Classic Demi Branson." I jam my phone back into my pocket and glare at Anna. "Tell your best friend that I won’t be making any confessions until I see and speak to Ashal, got it? We’ve done everything she’s asked. She has to keep her own side of the bargain or the

"Ashton!"

as Asher enters. He briefly hugs mother, apologizes

to be rude to her. She’s not Demi." He goes to stand next to Anna who feels relieved to be defended.

rooms and get freshened up for the

apologize to Anna before leaving for

Asher the second he walks into

hunched over, checking his vitals. He has clean bandages wrapped around his injuries and it appears he’ll be fine after all.

informs me. "If he feels up to it and shows up later, good. However, I won’t jeopardize his health by forcing him to make an early appearance at this birthday

teary eyes. "That’s such a relief." Then sink on my bed. "What’s the status on Liam, Demi and Skylar? They must know by now that we’ve rescued Ashal and they’ve lost their leverage

especially after I abducted one of their own." Because his face lacks the humor I expect from it, I instantly know whom he has in his

"How is she?"

sighs deeply. "She’s safe even if she doesn’t know it yet. I need to get to the bottom of these stories regarding our biological parents and for that reason, father must not know of her existence or her location. I’ll find a way to make her tell us all we need to

appears to be a tough shell to

We exchange smiles at the fond thought. "Cheer up. There

this for us to clear the air regarding these accusations." Asher’s eyes are somber when I turn to him. "People hate us

propose