DEMI
"It's not what it looks like." I tell Asher. I don't know how pictures can lie but this one clearly is a lie. I wasn't as comfortable or compliant with the kiss as the picture portrays. "Tell him, Kira. You saw everything."
"Exactly. I saw you and your ex kissing in an alley. That's exactly what I captured." I can't believe this snake of a girl. Asher has been unusually quiet and brooding. His eyes are dark and scary when they find my face. I can't believe Kira will go this far. I delivered on my own end of the bargain so why did she betray me like this?
"Aunt, you know I wouldn't." Aunt looks away and doesn't utter a word in my defense. Now, I realize she and her daughter planned this. She isn't as clueless as I think.
"You wouldn't even let Ashley kiss you but you're happy to offer your lips to that broke cheat? What has my family not done for you, Demi Branson? We accepted you into our family and polished you up. We've helped you every time that bastard tried to drag you down. We face backlash from the media constantly because of your ties to our family. Any other family would have thrown you to the wolves or kicked you out but we didn't and this is how you pay us back?"
"Asher, I am telling you that picture isn't the truth. Iman forced that kiss on me."
"You're not a very good liar, Demi."
"SHUT UP KIRA. I AM TALKING TO ASHER." Kira is momentarily stunned by my angry outburst but comports herself. I turn to Asher, grab his hand and lead him to my room. With aunt and Kira, I am certain I won't be able to get him to see the truth.
I explain everything that happened that day to him while he studies me with cool eyes.
"So, your aunt and Kira are lying? That picture is a lie, Demi?" He sighs and jams his hands in his pocket. "Those people have lived with you for years. They know you better than we do. If they say you're capable of doing something like this, there might be some truth to it."
"They are lying, Asher. Please believe me. Why would I go back to Iman? That makes absolutely no sense!"
"I don't see why you can't. You loathe my brothers and I. You treat your husband like a plague. Maybe the reason you can withstand not being intimate with him is because Iman gives it to you."
"ASHER!"
"For all I know, this was the plan all along between the two of you. You're in this for the money while keeping your ex on the side. What? Did Iman put you up to this? Pretend he cheated on you, get drunk and go to a high-end club where my brothers and I usually frequent and fake a marriage with a drunk quad. Did Iman force you to keep the clause in the contract so nobody touches his girl?" He plays with the sleeves of my dress and I slap his hands off.
"You have a very fertile imagination, I'll give you that but simply because you can string up a story doesn't make it true."
"It sure makes a whole lot of sense right now, Demi. It explains a lot about your reason for sticking with my family despite your ridiculous contract." He heaves a breath and glare at me. "I can't figure it out no matter how many times I run it in my head. You're not in this marriage for money or you would have been making financial demands of us long ago. You're not in it for the chance to have free, great sex with one or all four of the Rollins quads which is the fantasy of half the women in Danvarr. You hate the fame being affiliated with us brings you. So, pray tell. What else could it be, Demi? Why are you choosing to stick with my family till the end of the contract if you don't have some grand plan up your sleeve?"
My breath catches in my throat. "I made a promise to your mother…"
"Don't bullshit me!" His menacing stare makes me take few steps back. "What? You're going to leave if mother wishes it? Is that what you're saying? If mother asks you to break your promise and leave right now, do you mean to say you won't cry or beg?"
When I fail to give an instant reply, Asher chuckles.
"Oh Demi, you do love Iman, don't you?"
"I DON'T LOVE HIM!"
"But you love the sex, huh? Is that why you keep going back?"
"Stop it. You know that's not true." Tears shimmer around my eyes because I want him to see it and believe me. I know exactly what he is playing at. Aunt and Kira aren't the only ones lying here. This is all a staged performance by the trio to box me into a wall and get rid of me. I know Asher knows I detest Iman and don't want anything to do with him but with this trump card of an alleged betrayal of my new family, I am scared to think of all the nasty ways he might try to get back at me.
Asher's finger trails my cheek to blot out the tears streaming down.
"Why are you crying if you aren't guilty?"
I stare into his eyes. How could he look so much like Ashton and be this devious?
"What else am I supposed to do when you're clearly not prepared to believe a word I say? Is this how much you hate me? You're prepared to believe an obvious lie if it leads to my downfall?" I sniffle. Kira was right after all. Asher has a big plot to ruin me before I leave his family and now, she might have showed him one of the many ways to achieve it.
Asher's hand cups my chin. When he leans close to press his lips to mine, I push him away.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Spare me the act. I know you're pretending. You'd kiss and fuck anything if it aids your goal."
I wipe my tears. "You want to take advantage of me because of a lie? How low can you stoop, Asher Rollins? You're disgusting."
"I am disgusting? YOU'RE THE ONE SHUFFLING BETWEEN FOUR BROTHERS AND AN EX. You're nothing more than a slut so don't act like a prude now."
"DON'T YOU EVER TRY THAT AGAIN." I am done begging him.
Asher is impressed at my resilience. He defies me and backs me up against a wall with a single hand movement. Instantly, I catch a whiff of his unique scent. I have only smelt this once before. Why the hell am I just recalling how unique the cologne is now when I have literally been around him all day? Something about him being so close to me fuels my recollection.
"What exactly would you do if I don't obey your order, huh? Do you think your aunt or Kira will tell on me?" His eyes are fiery with a challenge. I recall the scene in my bedroom and my fingers tremble. Ashley had mentioned that it was Asher who threatened me that day.
"It was you that day in my bedroom, wasn't it? Ashley told me." Tears stream down again despite how hard I try to keep them at bay. "You said these same words to me. You threatened me…" Angrily, I shove him so hard he trips and falls on his back on the bed. "You think you're so invincible, Asher Rollins? You think I am so helpless and weak because I have a shitty family? You're dead wrong. I am not weak or helpless and if you ever try to touch me again, I'll make sure you regret it."
I grab the door knob to leave but hesitate. I need to ask. I am afraid to but I know I can't leave otherwise. When I turn, Asher is back on his feet with a sly smile on his face.
"That cologne. It's familiar."
"Bullshit."
"I know it's rare and expensive and that is why I can recall it." My eyes fasten on his face as it dims with recognition. "That night at the Blue Cove. That was the first time I caught that scent." Asher's pale face makes me shudder. "It can't be. You can't be."
His face firms. "You were very chatty and loud at the club for a drunk and heartbroken girlfriend. Then when you consumed alcohol at home, you passed out almost immediately. That's how I realized you faked being drunk at the Blue Cove. First time drinkers can't hold their liquor for that long."
My hand slips from the knob. "YOU?"
Asher walks up to me with a smug grin. "What? You hoped it was Ashton?" He throws his head back and laughs. "News flash, even if it had been Ashton, Ashley or Ashal, I still wouldn't have allowed it. My brothers and I have too much at stake and I won't let them be sidetracked by some gold-digging orphan."
He catches my hand when I try to slap him. "You guessed right. I call the shots. I made a mistake that night. I let my guard down but I will spend all my sober moments ensuring my family doesn't suffer for my stupidity. Why else do you think I am onto you like a bounty hunter, Branson? I know there's more to you than meets the eye and I won't let you have your way with my family." He shoves me away from the door so hard I fall and graze my elbow.
Asher goes home without me. I lay on the cold floor, too shocked to process everything. After an hour, I dust myself up. More than ever, I feel invigorated to pursue my plan ruthlessly. Asher deserves everything that's coming for him. He's the bastard that caused the death of my parents after all. It all makes sense too. He works at the HQ where mom worked. He can't be innocent.
My phone is filled with lots of missed calls and texts when I whip it out. Everyone has been trying to reach me including Liam and Anna. I hurriedly reply as many as I can to let them know I'm fine.
When I step out of my room, Kira is curled up on the sofa, watching a late night show. Aunt must have retired to bed. Kira continues to binge on her popcorn, ignoring me. I have a few things to get off my chest but not right now. My words will only fall on deaf ears. I am going to pay her back for this betrayal but right now, I need to make it home.
Wordlessly, I step outside and discover a car parked in front of our house. It's different from Asher's but I can already tell which brother loves this brand the most. The headlights flash twice at me. The driver steps out, a conspicuous frown on his face.
"It's supposed to be your first day at work. Are you trying to make it your last?"
***
"Did Asher call you?" I ask my husband, shutting the passenger door he just opened for me. "Where is that asshole? Is he home already?"
"Hey, watch it. What's up with you?" Ashley is dismayed at my indifference on seeing him. Maybe I would have given him a hug or a smile at the very least if my mood wasn't ruined by my 'little talk' with Asher few hours earlier.
"Yes, Asher called me to come pick you up. He said you got into it with your cousin and you were really upset. Apparently, you are still very upset."
The asshole, I think. Why didn't he mention the photo to Ashley? What could he be planning?
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out on you. Kira really got on my nerves." I tense up when Ashley runs a hand over my forehead, tucking stray clumps of hair behind my ear.
"Father will take it out on you if you return home this late all by yourself. However, he won't be too mad if he is led to believe that we were out late on a date to celebrate your first successful day at your new job." When l look at him, he hurries to complete his words. "It's just a story we are telling. We aren't going on an actual date." He opens the passenger door once more. "Let's get you home. You have a long day tomorrow."
While we ride home, he apologizes for his actions in his room the previous night. I look out the window to hide the red blush that coats my cheeks at the memory of that night.
"I'm sorry about the things I insinuated about you and my brother too. I say the dumbest things when I am angry."
Just then my phone starts ringing. When I spot the caller, I cut the call and shove it back into my bag, but not before Ashley sees it. He huffs out a breath. "Is there a particular reason you're not comfortable taking Ashton's call in front of me?"
Though his facial features are calm, I don't miss the nasty edge of his low voice as he asks the question.
"Because I'm tired and sleepy and in a pisser mood. How about that?" When the frown on his face only deepens, I throw my hands in the air in frustration. "Oh, for goodness' sake, not you too. Asher is already giving me a hard time as it is with all his suspicions. Do I have to worry about you too?"
"You don't want to be suspected, how about you try to not act so damn suspicious! I don't give a flying fig where your emotions lie Demi given the circumstances of our marriage but I swore to respect you and I demand the same of you. Seeing my brother behind my back while we are still legally hitched is insane."
"I AM NOT SEEING ANYONE." I yell angrily at him. My emotions threaten to get the best of me as I give him a burning look. I ward off the tears by throwing my head back. "I've had a long day and a very shitty evening. If that call had been mother's or Ashal's, I still would have ignored it just the same way I ignored Ashton's. It doesn't mean I am trying to hide anything. It just means I'm knackered and want to crawl into bed and sleep so this shitty day can end so please husband, don't make this day any worse than it already feels."
I don't care if he believes me. We finally make it to the mansion. As declared, I hurry to my room to rest. After showering, I climb into bed and fluff my pillows, ready to hit the sack when a message pops in my phone.
[I need to see you. Five minutes. I'm outside your door. Open up, please-Ashton]
My eyes flick to my door. What could be so urgent? I think, jumping off the bed to go get the door for him. I recall his help in getting me into the Rollins HQ. Maybe I do have some things to get off my chest too, especially about the method he employed to make my dream come true. When I reach for the knob, my fingers freeze as a thought occurs to me. There's something oddly strange about Ashton's message. The Ashton I know wouldn't use 'Please'. He knows my fucking passcode. He'd use it if this is truly urgent and he didn't want to draw attention to us.
I take a few steps away from the door and wait. If it's really Ashton behind it and not just someone with his phone, I'd find out soon enough. After a minute, a new message pops in.
[I know you're not asleep. Get the door, please.]
Another please. Chills start to run down my spine. Who could be playing such a game with me? Could it be Asher due to the chaotic conversation we had or Ashley given his suspicions earlier? What could they possibly hope to gain by doing this?
Another message beeps in.
[I guess you're smarter than you look. I hoped to do this in person but since you're so stubborn, here's the deal; You have two choices to make. You either quit your job at the Rollins HQ or you file for divorce from Ashley. If you don't make a choice before the end of this new week, I'll publish the photos of you and your ex and make sure the whole of Danvarr tears you down bit by ugly bit before you get kicked out of our home for good. Make no mistake; these two things are already in your fate but this offer is your only bet to make a clean, quiet exit. Tick Tock, Branson.]