Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 46

ASHTON

My heart rate slows down as I await her answer. I recognize the furry coat. It’s a unique piece from Ashley’s latest collection and is very pricey. I am not surprised that Demi happens to own one. Ashley is her husband after all.

However, I do find it surprising that unlike the rest of her clothes hanging carefully on the wardrobe, the jacket sits at the bottom like it was hurriedly tossed in there among her shoes. Why would she keep something so precious in there? It can’t be dirty because I haven’t seen her wear a red jacket since she joined our family. Why else would she dump it in there?

It can’t be true. The mysterious woman from my date as Will can’t be Demi. That’s ridiculous.

"Is that yours?" I repeat. My eyes wheel from the jacket to Demi’s face which is gradually beading with sweat. I want her to give me a plausible reason why her new jacket is in that state, a reason that will dispel the nasty and unpleasant feeling unfurling in my stomach. When Demi braces herself and looks at me, her eyes are not devoid of suspicion.

"It’s mine."

Why does she look so guilty right now if we are only talking about a simple red jacket in her closet? I take it that she knows why I am visibly shocked by it.

"Tell me it wasn’t you."

She cast her eyes down in a sorrowful droop and I gasp in utter shock. Edging backwards, I push open the door leading to her bedroom.

"Ashton, wait! Please! Hear me out."

With impeccable control, I pause my march outside her room. How can she possibly explain this? Even my family doesn’t know about Will! That’s how fucked up this is.

"Have you been stalking me?"

"NO!" She squeals, reaching to grab my shoulders. "No, Ashton, I didn’t stalk you."

How much does she know about me? I know she suspects my hair color but did she already know about my black hair when she found the hair gels in my bathroom cabinet? Was she pretending even then? How the fuck did she get my second contact and chat me up as Will? Was she aware it was me the whole time while we chatted? Why the fuck did she even try to go on a secret date with a stranger in a far diner without telling anyone? My mind is literally abuzz with questions right now.

"START TALKING." I order her. "From the beginning. Leave nothing out."

Demi’s lips tremble as she begins to recount her story. Apparently, she got wind of Mr. Fantasy from her cousin, Kira. I believe that bit as I recall a message from one Kira C. That must be Kira Collin.

"I promise I only went out of curiosity. I was bored and I felt like having lived with you guys for months, I’d be able to rate this stranger. I also justified it as a way to catch an impostor. I’m sorry Ashton."

I don’t believe her. I want to but there are so many holes in her story and I can feel her trying so hard not to tell the undiluted truth.

"If you meant to catch the impostor or rate this stranger’s skills of impersonation, why did you ask to go on a date with Will instead of the ’Ash Rollins’ lookalike version called Mr. Fantasy. Huh?" The question stumps her. "Answer me, Demi!"

Her eyes go misty with tears. "You wouldn’t respond to messages as Mr. Fantasy. I had no choice."

I chuckle loudly now. "You expect me to believe that?" My head is steaming now at how untruthful she’s being. "You came up with a bullshit story about having a shitty boyfriend and wanting to hang out. You followed me up for days to make sure the date happened! All for what? To rate a stranger’s impersonation skills? No!" Demi shudders at my flaring eyes and takes small steps backwards as I advance towards her.

"Here’s the truth you do not want to admit. You knew I was Mr. Fantasy long before you sent me that message. I don’t know how but that’s the only thing that makes this story add up. I don’t know why you insisted on the date only to stand me up. When I noticed you lurking by the corner, you ran away in a cab." I grab her shoulders and narrow my eyes at her. I can’t believe she can be such a mastermind.

"Who exactly are you, Demi? Why did you stalk me?" Demi only cries harder and mumbles incoherently. "You’ve been lying to me all along and pretending to be clueless about my hair and Mr. Fantasy. What other secrets are you keeping from me? Tell me, Branson!"

She shoves my hands off her. "OK! I’ll tell you the truth." She wipes her tears and stares up at me. "You’re right. I wasn’t entirely truthful earlier. I’m too embarrassed to admit the truth but I’d do it anyway."

She sniffles. "It was just after you and Mila became...a thing. I was jealous, okay? I wanted to ignore it but I couldn’t help myself, Ashton. Then Kira mentioned a lookalike that women can pay to play their favorite quad. It was a stupid idea but I thought I’d engage his services so he could play you and I could pretend we went on a proper date. I wanted to do more than imagine what that would feel like. I soon realized it was going to be an uphill task convincing him to play you because he was adamant on being called Will so I made up a story just to ensure he comes out on the date. I was confident I could pay him to change his mind and indulge me while on our date. I’m sorry. I know it’s wrong of me to think like that about you but like I said, I couldn’t help myself."

She retreats to the bed and plops on it, holding her head in her hands. "I had no idea it was you at first. I thought he was a complete stranger but then when I managed to sneak off to the date, I arrived late and was just in time to see you pull up in your car. Ashton, I was scared at first thinking you’d recognize me and probably scare off my date. I waited by the corner hoping you’d get your food and leave but when you stepped out of your car, you looked different. Your hair was different but I could still tell it was you. Even worse, you went into the diner and never came out. When I messaged my date, I realized you were the one I was texting. I got so scared and couldn’t bring myself to go inside."

She stands and draws close to me but I put out a hand to stop her. "Ashton, please believe me. I know it was risky and stupid but I didn’t mean to lie to you or pretend about that night. I wanted to tell you but I felt that you had your personal reasons for being Will or Mr. Fantasy. I didn’t know how to bring it up. I’m so sorry."

I dig my hands in my hair and tug. Maybe I believe her but it doesn’t ease the sting to my pride. She knows about my weakness now. How could I have slipped up like that? Mila was right to warn me not to go on that date. Gritting my teeth, I head for the door. Demi grabs my hand, crying.

"Ashton please, don’t leave like this. Please, don’t go. I beg you."

I turn to her, giving her face a quick sweep. "I can’t...I can’t deal with this right now." I hate how hurt I sound.

With Demi still pleading, I step out of her room and shut the door behind me. Her story might make some sense and maybe part of me feels glad that the random guy she was going on a date with was to satisfy the urge to have a real date with me. However, something inside me is broken right now and I suspect it’s my blind faith in her. I wish she had been confident enough to ask me about that night so I wouldn’t have to find out like this.

"You really can’t make this a habit, Ash." Asher breaks my woeful train of thoughts. He appears to have just emerged from the elevator with a drink in his hand. "No matter how brilliant the excuse is, you should really stay away from that woman."

I school my face to hide the hurt and annoyance. "I needed to confirm something. It’s about Demi and Olivia." Asher’s interest is suddenly piqued as he draws closer. "Game room." I mutter, jutting my chin towards the stairs.

Once congregated, I recount everything to my brothers. I’ve thought long and hard about it. Demi can’t be in contact with Olivia. Ashal had deleted Olivia’s contact from her phone and from his recent search of Olivia’s phone, Demi’s contact is missing too."

"I spoke to Olivia and she admitted reaching out to Demi in the past. However, she hasn’t tried to communicate with Demi since the last message I deleted." Ashal confirms. "I trust her. She is trying her best to gain our family’s trust. She wouldn’t lie to me."

I ignore the surprise that flits across Asher’s face at Ashal’s vote of confidence in Olivia.

"Why would Demi pretend to be friends with Olivia Dunn if the latter has stopped contacting her?" Asher asks worriedly. "Is she trying to play mind games with us? Do you think she knows anything about Olivia beyond the texts Olivia sent her?"

My mind reels back to the episode in Demi’s room and how she had cleverly pretended not to know anything about my secret identity. Although it breaks my heart to admit it, I won’t be surprised if Demi actually knows more about Olivia than she’s letting on. My heart gallops as I wonder if Asher’s theories and suspicions about Demi might be true. Could Demi really be a two-faced liar?

I stop myself from sinking into my fearful thoughts. I am overthinking it. Demi might have lied about our date and knowing my secret identity but that doesn’t translate to her having a grudge against my family. She had concrete reasons for keeping my secret. There’s no reason to doubt her in everything until I have the proof to back it up.

"Ash? You’re awfully silent." Asher says to me, pulling me once more out of my own head. "Penny for your thoughts?" My brothers are all gazing at me now. I clear my throat.

"Rather than having these wild speculations, how about Ashley asks her? Let’s start there at least. If Demi’s response doesn’t hold up with our research, we’ll know she’s lying and find creative ways to get the truth out of her."

Asher shakes his head. "Why waste time asking questions she’s probably going to lie about? I suggest we tap her phone, get to know who she calls and texts along with all the juicy details of her conversations. Who’s in?" Asher asks with his hand raised. Ashely and Ashal hesitate to join him.

Flashes of Demi’s dishonesty come to the fore of my mind. I desperately need to know the real truth before my imaginative mind, which is dangerously teetering towards the worst, gets the best of me.

"I’m in." I join Asher.

Asher smiles as the rest of our brothers follow my lead.

"Great. Ashley, this would be your responsibility. You’re the one with a legitimate reason to hang around Demi twenty-four seven. Find a way to distract her and tap her phone. Since this is probably your first-time getting shit like this done, I’ll give you a week." Ashley nods.

"Ashal, I am elated for you and Olivia catching a break in your relationship. This is the happiest I’ve seen you in a long while. Love that for you. However, I’d like you to pay close attention to Olivia and ensure she tells you if anyone tries reaching her for an interview or whatever. I suspect Demi’s confidence in using Olivia’s name doesn’t stem from thin air. Let’s make sure those two never contact each other."

"Got it." Ashal concurs with a vigorous nod.

"That includes your penthouse." I add. "Under no circumstances should she be taken or allowed in there."

Ashal snickers. "You don’t have to tell me twice bro. None of y’all are even allowed there till further notice." While Ashley and Ashal laugh over the latter’s statement, I lock cold eyes with Asher.

Ashal opened up to us about Olivia accepting his proposal and being willing to give him a shot. Despite how scared he had been when she had tried dialing Asher’s number (without knowing that Ashal had swapped his contact name with Asher’s so Olivia was indeed calling Ashal and not Asher), Ashal had gleefully told us everything and exhaled when he realized his phone battery had died so Olivia’s call never went through.

Silently, I wonder why Asher hasn’t brought up the issue of punishing Iman. That bastard is still out there hurting more people. He even went as far as touching Demi! Now, the bastard has attempted to take the lives of two people who are dear to me and that is something I cannot forgive. If Asher isn’t feeling up to it, I’d handle Iman myself.

After everyone slowly disperses, I put a hand in Asher’s path as he tries to leave the game room.

"What’s taking so long with Iman? Why is he still roaming the streets freely after everything he’s done?" The anger I’ve been fending off is starting to seep out as I recall Anna on her hospital bed and the red fingerprints on Demi’s neck. Asher squares his shoulders and exhales.

"I told you I’d handle it."

"IT’S BEEN OVER A WEEK!" I grunt. "And he’s been going about trying to hurt more people around us."

"What are you talking about?" Asher’s asks, cocking a brow. "Who else did he hurt?" At the pained look on my face, my brother’s eyes go warm with understanding. "He attacked Demi?"

"He tried to strangle her, again. She’s got his hand prints all over her neck."

"And you’re certain it’s him?"

Now, my anger bursts out. "WHAT SORT OF SILLY QUESTION IS THAT? WHO ELSE WOULD BRAZENLY ATTACK DEMI DESPITE KNOWING HER AFFILIATION TO OUR FAMILY IF NOT HER CRAZY EX?" I run a hand over my face, stifling the urge to punch the wall. "He probably thinks Demi also knew about my visit or instigated me to attack him. It’s all my fault. I should handle this once and for all."

"You will do no such thing!"

"HE HURT MY LOVED ONES." I yell in my brother’s face. "Someone’s got to teach him that that’s not okay."

"If Iman hurt my wife, I’ll avenge her." Ashley whips behind me. When I turn, he has a placid look on his face that slowly morphs into a frown. "Thank you, Ashton, for your zeal to punish that fool for hurting Asher and Demi but I’d like to ask you for a favor."

"And what’s that?" I ask gruffly.

"I’d love it if you take a cue from Asher and take a step back so Demi and I can have a chance during our contract marriage. I hate to admit this but I am jealous that she treats you better than her own husband."

"Well, maybe if you treated her like a wife and not a temporal house guest whom you’d like to sleep with, she might just give you the time of day."

"Ashton!" Asher chides.

"It’s okay." Ashley draws nearer to me. "I agree. I’ve been doing a poor job, haven’t I? I didn’t even notice her neck downstairs. I’m sure one of the reasons she’s grown fond of you is because you never miss the little things about her." He chuckles. "But that’s all about to change. I’ve got nine more months to ensure the only man in Demi’s head is me."

"So, this is a power thing? You’re going to treat a real human being with feelings like a challenge you’d like to win?"

"You’ve pushed me to the wall, Ashton! I am her husband for Pete’s sake and instead of showing me the barest form of respect, you continue to act like I don’t exist, waltzing in and out of Demi’s room, getting vengeful over a scratch on her body and even ignoring your own alleged girlfriend to fixate on MY wife. That’s insulting and I refuse to tolerate it any longer. Call it a challenge or whatever you want but I am done sitting on the sidelines. Demi is MY wife, not yours."

"You just want her in your bed. If you had already had her, you wouldn’t give a damn about who’s taking her side or not." I know him too well to buy into the crap he’s spewing.

"Like you haven’t imagined her in yours?" Ashley asks.

"I don’t have to. She’s already been in MY bed."

Ashley’s eyes widen with rage but before he can throw the first punch at me, Asher wedges himself between us.

"Ok, that’s enough Ashton." Then turning to Ashley, "He’s lying and obviously trying to antagonize you. You know he wouldn’t." Ashley runs a hand over his hair and heaves a breath.

I pace backwards, regretting how my anger is getting the best of me. What the fuck am I doing? Iman is the enemy, not my brother. I might have a lot to be mad about right now but it’s unfair to let my brother go around thinking I have betrayed him. I can’t have that on my conscience.

"I didn’t mean that." I tell Ashely. "I just said it to spite you. I’m sorry." I bury my face in my hands. "I’m just so pissed at Iman that I chose to take it out on you guys."

Ashley hesitates before responding. "I meant what I said. I want the next few months with Demi. I want a chance like Ashal has been given and I know that won’t happen if Demi still believes she’s got a shot with you."

"What are you asking me?" I already know it but I need him to say it aloud. Maybe then I’d summon the will to cut my intimate ties with Demi.

"I am asking you to go back to being the distant Ashton Demi was once wary of. She used to try to be friends with me back then but the moment you softened up, she drew towards you like moth to a flame. I need you to extinguish that flame so she comes back to me."

"So, you’re asking me to be a cold bastard and an asshole to just your wife till she redirects her affections to you." Ashley nods. "It’s done."

"Let’s start with you giving me her passcode."

"I told you..."

"She’s been crying in her room. I don’t have time to go ask her for it. I genuinely want to know she’s okay."

Demi is still crying? And Ashley wants to go comfort her right now? What if she doesn’t recognize him in her state and treats him like she would treat me if I went back to her room? What if she hugs him or tries to kiss him thinking he’s me? The thought of it makes me even more uncomfortable than Demi revealing my secret identity and our botched date night to Ashley by accident.

"Well? Are you serious about helping me or not?" Ashley asks impatiently. Asher is also watching me and urges me to comply. Reluctantly, I give in and text it to him. Immediately, he dashes out of the room while my shoulders sag in defeat. My heart beats wildly imagining how mad Demi would be because I shared her passcode. Shit. She’s definitely going to hate me now.

"It’s okay." Asher encourages me. "You did the right thing. Brothers over babes, right?" Weakly, I concur as he leaves. As the time continues to tick by, I head downstairs and wonder why Ashley isn’t out of Demi’s room yet. What could possibly be taking so long? I can’t hear anything from outside her door. It’s eerily quiet in there.

Shit. I am losing my mind right now. Demi is not in the right frame of mind either. It’s too dangerous leaving her with a guy who looks just like me and wants to touch her as badly as I do, at a time when she’s desperate to prove her loyalty to me. Can I trust Ashley to not take advantage of the situation and justify it with his position in her life?

Just before the break of dawn, I take the elevator to the second floor where the CCTV control room is. I couldn’t sleep a wink last night and I have to know. I run the feed to know exactly when Ashley left Demi’s room. My head threatens to explode when it dawns on me.

He never left.

They spent the whole night together!