Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 158

ASHAL

"Maddie! Oh God." Trembling, I rush to undo the ropes binding her when father’s voice thunders behind me.

"Careful, Ashal. I brought you here to make a point, not to be her knight in shining armor." He sneers as a thought flash through his mind. "As disturbing as your newly found love interest in your ex-wife’s kid sister is, I will let it slide but if you annoy me further by freeing her, you’ll also be expunged from my will"

"Oh, for goodness’ sake, do your worst father!" I threaten him right back, surging to my feet. "DO YOUR WORST!" We are nose to nose now. My fists are tightened by my side. "I have had enough! Frankly, you can’t shock me anymore. I don’t think there’s a limit to your wickedness so go right ahead and cast me out if you please. However, you’re not going to keep her bound, you hear me??? I am untying those ropes and she is going back to her family."

"ASHAL!"

"Or you wouldn’t have to worry about the Dunns giving evidence against me; I’ll gladly do so myself."

"You buffoon! What’s come over you and Ashton?"

"Love, father. LOVE. And because of it, we’ve seen the error of our ways. We’ve learnt that there are other ways to deal with our problems."

"Oh, really? Like what?"

"For starters? How about not living our lives like no one else’s matter, like we’re untouchable. We have to live accountable lives, father. Most of our problems today stem from actions that resulted from us trying to dodge accountability and I am so sick of that! I AM DONE. I won’t sit idly by and watch you hurt anyone else on my account. Olivia’s family has been through enough. It’s time to let them be!"

Tearing my eyes from his leering ones, I return to crouch by Maddi’s side and unbind her. The red welts on her wrists and ankles make my eyes glaze over with remorse and shame.

"I’m so sorry, Maddi. You don’t deserve this." I wipe her teary eyes while father grunts in disgust before storming away.

"Leave us!" I yell.

The guard by the door walks out. I help Maddi to the couch and make her sit. Though her reddened eyes communicate pain and fear, she says nothing while I dash for a First Aid Kit and treat her bruises.

"You should have stayed with your family. You should NEVER have come back."

Still, no reply. My heart thuds loudly in my chest as I feel her gaze on my shaking hands. Finally, I summon the courage to look her dead in the face. It’s like I suspected. She’s cross with me.

Tossing the kit aside, I sit down on the floor.

"I finally see it now. I am a bad omen for your family. I only cause you all pain. Because of me, you all fled from your homes and the lives you’ve known for so many years." Tears blur my eyes. "I’m sorry for everything, Maddi." Rising, I chuck the used cotton wool to a corner of the room. "I’ll arrange for you to rejoin your family."

I make it all the way to the door, grab the knob and pause. Why won’t she say anything? She clearly took a great risk coming to find me so why won’t she at least tell me why? Gritting my teeth, I bare my heart out.

"Maddi, if this is truly the last time we see each other, you might as well tell me why you..." I whirl to face her only for her to crush her lips to mine in a passionate kiss. Heart racing, I hold onto her, unable to think of anything in the moment other than the taste of her.

Then like a whiplash, I gently shove her away. Shocked, her owlish eyes slant up at me.

"This is madness, Maddi. My family is shit. I AM SHIT. You deserve better." I simply want to put it out there in case she is still reeling from the shock of her kidnap and not thinking clearly.

She reaches forward to grab my face but I inch away.

"I’m serious, Maddi. I know I’ve been in therapy and been to rehab but I don’t really feel confident that I can beat my condition..."

"Just shut up and kiss me, Ashal."

Her sweet voice makes my lips stretch in a smile. Gladly, I pull her forward and kiss her slowly, holding her tenderly. Her eyes remain closed for a few seconds afterward.

"Why did you come back?"

Her eyelids flutter open at my question. A crimson blush seeps into her cheeks as she quickly disentangles from my grip.

"I’m ready to go now."

With a thin smile, I lead her out of the room. Mother bumps into us in the hallway. Though she says nothing, her eyes are apologetic. She pats my shoulder and goes in the direction of father’s room possibly to talk to him.

Just as I get Maddi into a car, Ashton walks in.

"Go straight home, ok? Stay with your family." My throat dries up at this part. "Goodbye Madeline."

Her face crumples at the use of her full name instead of Maddi. I shut the door, tap the trunk of the car and watch it go while Maddi’s sad eyes stay on me the whole time.

Ashton walks towards me.

"Was that Madeline? Why was she here?"

"Long story." I pull him into a tight hug. "What are you doing here? You know father will only get you upset. The boys and I were planning on visiting you tomorrow."

His face is a study of disappointment and sadness.

"Ash, what’s wrong? You don’t look good."

He pries my hands off his face. "I’ll be fine."

Something is definitely bothering him.

"Talk to me."

He scratches his head and shrugs. "I haven’t been able to get a hold of Demi. It’s unlike her to do this knowing how worried I’d get. Then again, she did make me promise during our last conversation that I should trust her to be able to take care of herself and not to get fussy over her whereabouts."

"Then maybe you should listen to her...oh, Asher’s here."

Asher drives in and leaps out of his car. "Was that Madeline leaving the mansion?"

I almost roll my eyes. "Yeah. You won’t believe father had her abducted and locked up in one of the spare rooms on the second floor."

"What?" Ashton exclaims with furrowed eyebrows.

"I made him realize I wasn’t going to succumb to his threats and watch him hurt more people. I set her free. I don’t care what he does to me. I’m done with his bullshit."

Asher’s face creases with worry while he steals surreptitious glances at Ashton.

"Wait, you don’t think Demi is..."

"No." Asher interjects sharply. "Father wouldn’t. I made sure he steers clear of her knowing how much worse things could get if he attempts to aggravate her some more. If she’s missing, she’s definitely not here." He tucks his hands in both pockets and firms his face.

Ashton inclines his head. "Why would you assume she’s missing? You weren’t here when I shared my concerns with Ashal."

We both lock eyes with Asher who shifts uncomfortably.

"Fine. I also visited her at her uncle’s place, ok? I’m sure I left right before you arrived. I was deeply concerned about you and father’s threat. I was worried how hard things could get for you because Demi won’t let you go. I told her everything and begged her to take a step back. My guess is that she made the right decision."

Ashton gets livid. "Why would you tell her..."

"BECAUSE I FUCKING LOVE YOU, BRO. Do you think I enjoy seeing you away from the family? Fighting with father? Do you think I am cool with making appointments to see my own brother whom I formerly used to run into at every point in this damn mansion? I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND I KNOW YOU CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT US TO LIKE IT EITHER." He feathers a hand through his hair. "Let her be, Ashton, at least for now. You’ll only complicate things if you keep seeing her. I hope you listen."

He walks into the house while I console Ashton. He turns to leave.

"Where are you going? At least see mother first. She’s been dying to see you."

"Then you can bring her along tomorrow. There’s something I have to check." He bolts off and jumps into his car outside the gate. Is that a fucking minivan?

I race inside to talk to Asher. Something seemed off about him. There’s definitely more to the story than he let on, and I feel the same for Ashton. What could be bothering my brothers so much? I fail to find Asher in his usual spots; father’s study, the game room, the gym or even his bedroom. Where could he have disappeared into?

"Hey," I call one of the domestic staff. "Have you seen my brother? He just returned wearing a cream-colored suit."

"Yes sir. He took the elevator to the second floor."

Second floor? Is he going to see father?

I go after him and arrive just in time to witness them having a muffled conversation in father’s bedroom. It goes on for a few minutes and gets heated at some point. Unfortunately, I can’t decipher what they’re arguing about. Asher finally steps out. His eyes track around to a certain door. Inhaling sharply, he advances towards it.

"What was that about?" I ask, startling him.

"What else? Him abducting Madeline was not okay. He’ll only make things worse and give Billion-Err a field day." He dabs his sweaty brow. "Did you make sure she wasn’t followed?"

"Of course."

"Good."

He shifts uncertainly, avoiding my eyes.

"What’s behind the door?"

I can tell he desperately wants to go inside the room but why? Most of the rooms on this floor are unoccupied except for father’s and mother’s. Father also locked Maddi in one of these rooms. Asher hovering over the door seconds after talking to father only makes my heart leap in fear.

"I mean, who’s inside that room, Asher?"

"What?"

"I just rescued Maddi from that one over there. Don’t tell me father abducted more." Asher’s empty eyes give him away. I close a hand over my stomach. "Demi is in there, isn’t she?"

"I’m about to find out." He unlocks the door and we go in together. My heart clutches in my chest at the sight of another woman strapped to a bedpost with a black bag over her head. When she doesn’t flinch at our entry, I know it’s certainly Demi. Asher yanks the bag off her head. She squints at us, pissed from every indication.

When I try to remove her gag, he stops me.

"I just wanted to confirm. Let’s go."

"What? We can’t leave her here."

"Why not? This was her home for months, remember? We aren’t strangers to her. I’m sure she’ll be fine."

"ASHER!"

"YOU RELEASE HER AND YOU’RE OUT, JUST LIKE ASHTON. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?"

Demi’s eyes flash at the sound of Ashton’s name. She begins to struggle, kicking and mumbling incoherently.

"Can we at least hear her out? She obviously has something to say."

Asher scowls. "What else could she have to say to us if not issue more threats and belt out more insults for her plight." He crouches low to stare at her. "No one’s going to hurt you if you cooperate. You know the drill around here. Keep your mouth shut and stay put. You’ll be well fed and taken care of. I’d undo your binds but I don’t trust you not to do something stupid so, they’ll stay on. Someone will come in regularly to assist you if you need to use the restroom...what the fuck are you doing, Ashal???"

Demi coughs after I remove her gag.

"Relax. She needs to breath. She’s not a fucking animal. She’s still our sister-in-law, okay?"

Asher stares daggers at me.

"I need to...to s-speak with Ashton" She manages between her coughing fit.

"Didn’t I tell you? She’s got nothing important to say." In a flash, Asher snags the gag and begins to shut Demi’s mouth again while she begs.

"No...STOP...you’re in dang...mmmmmm"

"Asher, you can’t be serious."

"It will come off when she wants to eat. For now, I can’t stand her whining around me. Come on, let’s get out of here."

While he shuffles to the door, I kneel in front of Demi and assure her.

"I’ll be back, okay? I’m so sorry. Give me some time to get you out of here..."

"Stop making promises you can’t keep, Ashal! Just because you got away with Madeline doesn’t mean you can with that one. She’s Liam’s biggest ally and an important part of his plan to ruin us. She isn’t going anywhere until she helps us undo the mess she’s created. C’mon, let’s go!"

Demi continues to shake her head in denial, mumbling while I rise to go with Asher. There’s nothing I can do for her here, except find a way to inform Ashton of her condition. He’ll help her faster than I can.

I lock eyes with Demi before the door clicks shut and my heart tightens. She’s crying.