Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 196: Chapter 196

ASHER

Keith is having a field day while I enquire about Skylar’s whereabout. I can’t believe she’s already managed to evade me shortly after claiming to be visiting Keith.

"What do you mean you have nothing to say to me?"

He throws a casual glance around his property, lets his eyes settle on a bleating sheep. "Exactly what you heard, Ash Rollins. I think you should be on your way. Your presence is irritating my sheep." He enjoys a glib look. "Why on earth would you not know where your only sister is, by the way? It’s only been what, a couple of weeks and she’s already sick of all four of you? He clucks his tongue at me. "I knew it wouldn’t be long before she saw you guys for who you truly are, get back her senses and return where she belongs."

I grit my teeth to rein in the punch at the tip of my clenched fists. How did Ashton put up with this clown for so long?

"You claim to be the best big brother yet she keeps shutting you out. From what I see, you’re no more than a stand-in big brother." That part claws at his pride if the veins jutting out of his temples are any indication.

"You’re right. I shouldn’t have come here." I throw on my sunglasses and give the farm a onceover. "Skylar probably needs some time to adjust to her new reality. That’s all this is. She’ll reach out to me when she’s ready."

On my way back to the office, Ashal’s call comes in.

"Did you find her?"

"I told you to sit this one out. I’ll handle it. You’ve got shit to deal with yourself. Focus on that." Silence hums between us. It’s been weeks and the topic still feels uncomfortable to broach. "How is she?"

"She still hasn’t said a word to me, but at least she manages to take her drugs and her meals."

"That’s a relief." Ashley’s call beeps in. "I’ve got to go. See you at home." I answer Ashley’s call right after dropping Ashal’s. "You guys can’t go a day without talking to me, can you?"

"We’ve got a problem." He replies in a clipped, cold tone that dries up my humor. Chills run down my spine when he explains everything to me. "Get here as fast as you can. I’ll call Ashton too..."

"No!" I counter him. "Leave that to me."

While driving down to the meeting venue, I stifle the urge to curse. At this point, I certainly won’t be bragging when I say I do the best job at cleaning my brothers’ messes than all of them combined. What the fuck was Ashton thinking by not running his little ’fix up’ by me? I could have seen this coming given how poorly he handled it.

"Shit!" I finally curse, slamming both hands on my steering wheel. This is the last thing my family needs right now, after the whole debacle with our birthday party.

Sure, we won hearts again but a scandal like this will topple everything we’ve struggled to restore. Our company might not survive a second hit in such a short timeframe. I can’t let this happen. I can’t let that vengeful cop blast my world all over again.

***

Ashton is characteristically late to the meeting and even after he arrives, he appears distracted, constantly checking his phone.

"I’m going to need everyone to turn off their damn cellphones." I blurt out, eyes tailored at Ashton. "This is too serious to be sidetracked by anything else." As a show of leadership, I turn my phone off and toss it on the table between us. Then I arch my brow towards my brothers, expecting no different from them.

Sighing, Ashton drops his right after Ashley. Then, I turn to Iman. For the duration of this meeting, I’ll try not to lash out at him for showing his face in front of my family again after my clear warning.

"Tell us everything you know."

Clearing his throat, he goes ahead to explain how he heard the rumor from the grapevine while out drinking himself to stupor in a local bar.

"That’s it?" I lean back in my seat with impatient eyes. "You heard a rumor at a bar? You don’t even recall the name or face of the person who said it?" I glance at Ashley. "That’s the story you bought?"

"I thought it was worth investigating." Ashley replies.

"I left no crumbs." Ashton adds defensively, staring daggers at Iman. "There’s no amount of digging that would point to any of us as a suspect in the cop’s brother’s death. The evidence is either inexistent or it was fabricated." Then at me, "I told you this was a waste of my bloody time. Everything this guy says is a goddamn lie."

Iman. "I’m going to ask you one last time. Was this half-baked gossip a ruse to get an audience with us or do you have some actual proof to back up

uncomfortably in his chair. "Look, I did

"Where?"

at the Oak

just said this convo happened at Bottle Haven Bar." He begins to stutter as Ashton

you have any idea what I was pulled from to come sit here and listen to your pathetic lies?" When he reels a hand backward, I catch it and bring it down. We don’t want attention. "He

know. I’ll deal with his bullshit, but not here."

what

than usual. Quietly, I pull Iman

exit of the lounge and return to my brothers. Iman might be lying about the cop or he might not. Either way, I fully intend to investigate it before it comes back to bite us

Ashton, Ashley swoops in

firing me from my own company and handing it over to

from Ashton’s shoulders. Realizing I hadn’t directed the question at him but Ashton, Ashley chuckles dryly, swirling

I’ll be fine, thanks

that? Father’s doing

jams both hands in his pockets. "You know, it’s quite ironic that father’s reason for not being able to trust me with managing MY company is because according to him, I lack the ability to rein in my emotions." Giving Ashton a quick,

what is that supposed to mean?" Ashton

nothing and everything, especially Demi. You’ve taken wild decisions just because of her, decisions that threatened to impact negatively on your family and the business yet I am the one who’s being tossed out of

company continues to thrive in spite of your feelings. Last I checked, MY company is still closing deals and hitting our goals even while I was dealing with personal stuff. Can you say the

I range myself between their heated stares. "I understand everyone is a little on edge but fighting is the last thing we need right now. Ashley, I’ll speak with father. I’m certain he’s bluffing. He knows what an outrage it’ll cause if you’re removed from the company. You’re not just the face of the brand; you ARE the brand. My guess is he made an empty threat to snap you out of your depression. Rather than

look good, I bet you won’t be so smug about your numbers either. My advice? The business should never be allowed to suffer no matter what you’re dealing with. Plus, you really need to get your emotions in check, Ashton. Every time there’s trouble in paradise, everyone around

dips his eyes to the

overseeing your progress from now on and trust me, if you prove incompetent for the role you’re handling, I’ll gladly support whatever decision father makes. In the meantime, crush this beef

to

if you guys hear anything." Ashley says while leaving. Ashton nods at me and follows suit. I watch them

"Did you find her?"

"Not yet, sir."

for being outwitted by a girl who has spent the better

after she had

care about." She had blurted out accusatorily. "You shouldn’t have bothered with the caring brother act. Strapping me to a chair and beating me to a pulp like you’re accustomed to would have gotten you all the answers you need much

a step back and let her cool

hell are you, Skylar?" I mumble under

***

the day at work. Even when I indulge in meetings with father and Josh, he makes no mention of hiring a manager for Ashley’s company. I decide to give it a rest.

close of work, I rap on his door, hoping to catch him alone but

it." The model posed Denzel with shiny caramel skin stretches out a hand to me. Hesitantly, I shake the man’s

He has an intimidating resume and already shared some

hands instantly drop. "What? Did Ashley ask for one?" I pretend not

back seat for now. Thanks to him, Denzel has a lot

not to make decisions about my brothers’ companies without me?

on his feet. "Look,

takes father’s subtle cue and plunks back down on his seat. "Denzel, please excuse

us. As soon as the door clicks shut, I turn to father. "So, is that it? The second my numbers waver, you’ll brand me incompetent, hold secret

"Of course not, Asher..."

what the hell is this? How could you do such a thing to