Page 125 of Four Fiances & I

“What's up? Have you thought of an issue?”

“No,” I answer, shaking my head. My mouth is suddenly dry, and I’m nervous about asking. Christian gives my shoulder a quick squeeze, and I know I need to ask; otherwise, I will always regret it.

“I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle on Sunday.”

Terry’s eyes widen at the same time as his jaw drops. Suddenly, I’m very aware that it’s probably the weirdest request for me to make.

“You don’t have to,” I blurt out. “I know it’s probably something you only want to do for your daughter, but-” I get tongue-tied, and a squeeze of Christian’s hands on my shoulders stops me mid-rant.

“You want me to walk down the aisle?” Terry asks, his eyes still as wide as saucers. I nod as my eyes fill with tears. “Why me and not Layton?”

“Because Layton is my friend, and I love the annoying git dearly, but you are our family and someone who is always there whenever I need them, no matter what’s going on. You are more of a father to me than my dad ever had the chance to be, and it feels right to ask you.” The tears are overflowing now, and I’m terrified I made a mistake asking him, but it also feels right. Terry smiles as he squats down before me and takes my hands.

“Honey, you are so special to me, like a daughter.” He reaches up and wipes the tears from my cheeks. “I am so proud of you, and it has been a pleasure to watch you become the strong, powerful woman we all knew you could be. I can’t think of any greater honour than walking you down the aisle.” The moment I see his eyes filling with tears as he smiles at me lovingly, the dam breaks, and I burst into tears as I throw my arms around his neck. Terry laughs as he hugs me back.

“I take it you’re okay with this?” Terry asks, looking over my shoulder as I pull away. I turn to see Christian smiling at him.

“More than okay,” he answers, walking around the chair and holding out his hand. Terry stands and takes it before pulling him in for a hug. Jason steps up to them as Christian steps back and embraces Terry before the twins come forward and hug him, too.

“Okay, I’m leaving before you all make me fucking cry. Some of us are meant to be big scary security guards,” he laughs, taking a deep breath as the rest of us laugh.

“The three girls are upstairs waiting for you. I wouldn’t make them wait much longer; they may come looking for you,” he winks at me before stepping towards the door. “I’m going to an emergency security meeting. Do you want to come as well?” He asks, looking to Christian, who nods before turning to the others.

“You okay to carry on making your way through the guest list?”

“We’ve got it. Go and sort this out, and then we can work out what’s left to do,” Jason answers.

“Thank you,” I smile at them before rushing around and kissing each of them. “If you want me, I will be with the girls in the spare rooms on the top floor,” I call, rushing from the room as they tell me to contact them if I need anything.

As I make my way upstairs, I smile, thinking how much happier I am than when I left to see the dresses this morning. Even on the way there, the visit from the police was playing on my mind, and something still felt off. But for the next few days, I don’t have to go anywhere or see anyone I don’t want to. I can just plan what will be the happiest day of our lives. I will ensure it is, and I know the girls waiting for me will help me make my dreams a reality and have my back like they always do.

ChapterForty-One

CHRISTIAN

Sitting back in my chair, leaning to one side as I rest my chin on my forefinger, I watch the last few security team members enter the meeting room and find their seats. I’m furious and want them all to see it. I want them to be on edge and scared because they fucking should be. I’m past angry; I’m fucking murderous. Judging by the way they are all avoiding eye contact with me, they know it, too. We don’t know who knows what at the moment. Some will know more than others, but by the end of this meeting, they will see that we have been pushed too far.

I look at Terry, standing on the other side of the room. He nods, signalling everyone is here, and closes the door before standing beside me. For once, he’s not sitting, as we want to show that this is not our usual meeting.

We agreed that I would do most of the talking today, as I want everyone to see that even though my brothers and Jasmine are not with me, as they usually would be, we are still in this together and a united front. Terry and Jasmine have filled me in on all they agreed on and what we want people to know.

“I’m sure you are all wondering why you have been called in here today.” I sit forward and make a point of looking at each individual as they watch me nervously, all too scared to look away, scared it will make them look guilty. They should know better by now. If I thought they were guilty, they would already be dead. I just need the proof, and I will end them right here.

“It’s been a rough few weeks, to say the least, and what should have been the happiest day for everyone in this household's lives so far has become a disaster.” I make a point of sitting back and giving the room a moment's pause so I can watch everyone’s reactions.

“Today, after the events that transpired last night, things have become a complete shitshow. This morning, we were awoken by the police with a warrant after someone reported that we were breaking the law with our relationship, which was a poor attempt to get us arrested. Luckily, the police realised quickly that all claims were untrue, and it’s now on record that we are doing nothing illegal.

“We then discovered that the flowers and wedding venue had been targeted. Neither will be available for the wedding on Saturday. To top that off, Jasmine and her bridesmaids went to collect their dresses, and they had all been covered in blood. The girls are absolutely devastated, to say the least. The women in the boutique are terrified in their own store and traumatised. It was not a pretty sight.” Looking around, I can see many people seem shocked and appalled. I don’t bother looking at Terry; I know he will be focused on watching everyone else, too.

“Because of this, as I’m sure you have all now guessed, the wedding is off. It was a heartbreaking decision for us to make and for Jasmine to accept. In the space of a few hours, she has taken several steps back in the healing process she has been working through after years of abandonment issues and abuse.” A few people’s faces are saddened at the news. As many have told me, the whole team loves Jasmine; they all seem more protective of her than we are.Seembeing the main word there.

“You have all been called in because we will be going into complete lockdown. We have never used this protocol before but feel we have no choice. This will hopefully give us all the time, especially Jasmine, to come to terms with everything.No onewill be allowed on or off the premises, and you will all be on leave until we return from what should have been our honeymoon. We will be leaving very early on Saturday morning and will return when Jasmine is ready.” Sitting back in my chair, I refuse to look anywhere but at those in front of me.

These should be the people we trust more than anyone else; they literally hold our lives in their hands on a daily basis. But, right now, we can't trust any of them, and it's infuriating. This is a situation I never thought I would have to deal with, but here we are.

“You will no doubt be approached by people wanting to know what’s been happening and where we are, and all I ask is that you simply reply, ‘no comment’, until told otherwise. If you are unsure of anything or need to report anything suspicious, don't hesitate to get in touch with Terry. He’ll be here for the whole period we are in lockdown and coming to the villa with us, so he will be kept in the loop the whole time.” I look around at all the faces in front of me again and decide to get them out of here as quickly as possible. Otherwise, I run the risk of firing every single one of them without warning.

“Are there any questions?”

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