Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 193: Chapter 193

DEMI

"How is he?"

Ashton finishes signing the file Gris is holding open for him before looking up at me with his weary eyes. "Not too good. He’s still shaken up and multiple sessions with his therapist per week hasn’t proved helpful, yet." He expels a long breath. "I think it will take some time before he fully recovers from the shock." His eyes finally meet mine, and stays on them intensely. "I can’t imagine if something that horrible had happened to you. I bet I’ll lose my marbles too."

His blue eyes heat up my insides, making me flush terribly. Gris goes into malfunction, clearing his throat and stuttering excuses as he hurriedly leaves us but Ashton never flinches of embarrassment for one second like I am doing. I’m probably overthinking his words. Swallowing, I tuck my hands under his desk.

"You haven’t asked me why I am here, at your office."

He reclines in his seat and strokes his jaw. "I didn’t think I needed to. You’re obviously here to see me."

"Actually, I’m not." I enjoy the flicker of surprise and the slight dent in his ego as he leans forward with serious eyes.

"What do you mean?"

To lighten the mood, I’m briefly tempted to drag this one out but there’ll be other opportunities. I adjust in my seat. "I don’t want to keep any secrets from you, Ashton. I want to be an open book from now on, not just for the sake of our relationship but because I am sick of being constantly misunderstood." I take a shallow breath to ease off the tension building up as he pays rapt attention to the words coming out of my mouth.

"If this is about Ashley spooking you outside the bathroom and pretending to be me back at my house, you don’t have to feel guilty." He gives me a warm smile while I gape at him in shock. "I...uh, I figured it out, and I also had a talk with Ash. It won’t happen again."

I hadn’t planned on telling him that because I didn’t want the brothers to keep fighting because of me. There’s already too much tension around his family, their company and even my new relationship with Ashton to rattle him with Ashley’s games.

"I’m sorry I didn’t have the courage to tell you I messed up. I should know you better than that."

"No, that’s not why you didn’t tell me." His smile deepens. "I know you better than that. I’m grateful for your maturity." He leans over the table and presses his lips to mine when I meet him halfway. "No need to apologize. It was an honest mistake and the prevailing circumstances had you distracted." He pads my jaw with his thumb before plunking back on his chair.

I moisten my tingling lips. "Thank you but that’s not the only thing I wanted to talk about."

With his somber expression back on, I find it hard to concentrate. How do I go from his unflinching trust in my loyalty and character to casting aspersions on his? His move just made this conversation more difficult than I envisioned.

seeing how nervous I am. The usual relief that floods my chest whenever he gives me a reassuring smile fails to kick in as he reaches forward

paid Liam a visit three weeks ago." Curiosity clouds his face instead of the anger or disappointment I am prepared for. It lulls the pace of my nervousness to a crawl. When he says nothing in response, I proceed with my eyes dipped to my knees. "He...um, he...he

I can to sniff him or her out. Like Liam, this person is exceptionally good at hiding their identity but I am working on it." He skims my jaw with his

and rise to my feet, pacing. "Please, this isn’t about that. If you’d just let me finish..." I catch myself and quickly lower my tone. "I’m sorry Ash,

"Okay. I’m listening."

about me, did you not find

"I don’t understand."

How did they know that? I only told Anna and she already swore she never mentioned it

his nose. "Asher clued in and I had to admit we had been intimate but I certainly didn’t tell him when or where." He stares deeply at me. "You suspect someone we know fed that

we know IS the new

***

pacing? Please? Come sit down." He stretches

I can’t. I honestly can’t tell him I suspect

know, Ash. I’ve been confused ever since Liam told me the new editor’s

"What?"

his voice catches me off

"Liam told you that?"

I’ve been thinking a lot, scared to even imagine that a member of your family might still be out to get rid of me." I swallow the rest of my rant when I notice how distant his eyes have become. "Ash?

that category but this? I’d like to think that even if a member of my family purchased Billion-Err despite

he makes his argument. We both know that a few members of his family would definitely not

of the situation. "Ashley wouldn’t

words

I might agree that he’s been a lot kinder than I have come to expect of him but I know he still considers me a bad omen for your family. For that reason, he’ll definitely be

would own it if he bought Billion-Err. It’s an ego thing for him to stand by his actions especially when he’s convinced it was done with the family’s best interest at heart. I think Liam was messing with you. It

claws up my throat. Liam’s words are indeed messing with me, especially the part

little secret even though we both fumbled that part. There’s absolutely no way this man who had loved every inch of my body and stirred my soul in more ways than one could be capable of being as devious as Liam wants me

no grudge against me and even if he