Page 14 of Four Fiances & I

“You know I was dealing with some shit. Now, fill me in on what’s been going on here.” Jason continues to stare at me for a moment, and the tension in the room builds. Just when I think I will have to demand someone answer me, Jason sighs while shaking his head.

“We got a call this morning that Travis had left the safe house. He has gone to find Nicholson to confront him about everything.”

That stupid prick. He has always been reckless and leads with his heart. I’ve been waiting for him to do something stupid this whole time.

“What’s Maximus got to do with it all? Mrs Brown said he wasn’t here, but his car is in the garage.”

“He went to help keep an eye out for trouble. He saw how worried Jazzy was and wanted to do something to help.” Jason climbs off his bed and stretches. I know he would have been curled up on there with Jasmine for as long as she needed him, ignoring his own discomfort.

“That sounds about right. How is Verity doing with Travis leaving?” I ask, knowing she won't be taking it well.

“We don’t know. She’s run off.”

“What?” That was the last thing I expected. Verity has never come across as the act first, think later type of girl.

“Yep, that’s why Maximus’s car is here. Layton met with Calvin to pass over Maximus’s spare car key. Turns out she stole his before running, so they couldn’t chase after her,” Sean explains, shaking his head. “Maximus is driving Logan’s car as he got to the safe house first.”

“I’m going to kill her if Nicholson doesn’t,” Jasmine whispers against my chest.

“Nicholson won’t hurt her,” I whisper into her hair. But I know I could be giving her false hope. I don’t have any dealing with the man for a reason. He is known for hurting anyone who gets in his way, regardless of their sex and age. His son, who Verity has been promised to, is no better.

“When was the last time you heard from anyone?” I ask absentmindedly, running a hand over Jasmine's head.

“Two hours ago. Last I heard, Maximus was driving the remaining Donavons to Nicholson’s place to see if they were both there.”

“He better not get involved; he will bring a ton of shit to our door if he does,” I warn. It’s the last thing I need on top of everything else.

“But what about Verity?” Jasmine asks, leaning away from me.

“Sweetheart, we will do what we can, but we cannot be seen helping them,” I explain, but I see the disappointment in her eyes. She is still so new to this world she doesn’t understand how people like Nicholson work.

“Jazzy, Christian’s right. Like I tried to explain, making enemies with someone like Nicholson is bad news for everyone involved.” Jason sighs, sitting on the edge of his bed; he reaches over and takes her hand. “If we could storm in and take her, we would, but it’s not that simple. Nicholson would ensure there were repercussions for our actions, and we will not put you in harm's way like that.”

“But she’s like a sister to me,” Jasmine sobs as she looks at us all. “I can’t sit here doing nothing when she’s in danger.” She looks to Sean as if hoping he will back her up, but he shakes his head.

“We won't do nothing, but the others are right; we can’t be seen intervening.”

My brothers and I share a look as Jasmine bursts into tears and leans back against me. We know that if anything happens to Verity and we don’t prevent it, she will never forgive us. We have discussed it at length since the whole situation Verity’s father has gotten her into came to light. We have considered paying off his debts to Nicholson, but again, that puts us in the middle of it all, and we need to deal with it without our identities being known.

I wish we could do more, but I will not risk my brothers’ or Jasmine's lives for the sake of one another. She may hate me for it, but there is nothing I’m not willing to do to protect our family.

We all turn to Sean as his phone rings, and he pulls it from his pocket.

“It’s Maximus,” he declares before answering. “Hey, you’re on speaker, what’s going on?”

“I’ve left the Donavons at Nicholson’s. Travis and Verity are there; they are okay and in no danger. I don’t know the ins and outs, but the marriage is off, and Verity is free. Travis has to stay there for a few days, so the other two will take Verity home. But it’s over from what I can gather.”

We all let out a sigh of relief as Jasmine visibly relaxes into me. I tighten my arms around her and kiss the top of her head.

“Were you seen?” I ask Maximus.

“Oh, you’re back, are you?” he snaps. “Of course, I wasn’t seen. I’m not completely stupid.”

I try to ignore the way he speaks at me, he has probably had a shitty day, but I need to know so I can do damage control.

“Shorty, if you even think about doing something as reckless as your friend just did, I will tan your ass so hard, you will never sit down again. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Daddy.” She curls up smaller on my lap, and I have to stop myself from laughing as she tries to use me as a shield against Maximus. “Are you heading home?” she asks.

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