Page 149 of Four Fiances & I

“Can I ask you something?”

Looking back to Mykela, I force myself to relax back into my seat.

“You know you can,” I smile.

“I don’t know how to word this without it sounding shitty, but bear with me,” she starts, fidgeting nervously. “But is this really what you all want?” I open my mouth to argue, but she puts her hand up to stop me. “Hang on, let me finish.” I nod my head but continue to watch her closely.

“I’ve known all of you for what? Four years?” I nod as she continues. “In that time, your biggest issues were due to your relationship with her. People are using her to get to you or your wedding. I just worry that none of you are going to end up happy. You deserve better, Sean.” I don’t miss the way she says my name at the end, singling me out from the others.

“I hope you’re not blaming Jasmine,” I warn. Mykela shakes her head.

“No, I like Jasmine; she’s a sweetheart; she’s just … misled. I don’t think she truly knows what she wants, which is understandable considering the abuse she suffered. But I worry the five of you will end up miserable.”

“How do you know about her past?” I ask, frowning.

“I helped Christian track down the ones who abused her. He killed them all.” Before I can say anymore, she continues. “Let’s face it, she has a stronger relationship with Christian. What if they decide one day to keep things just between them? What happens to you?”

“If Jasmine ever picks one of us over the others, we will step back and let them be together without interference. It’s something we have talked about as a family.” I never thought I would have to defend our relationship like this, especially not with our staff.

“Look, I know I’m being out of line, but I care about you, Sean. You are different from your brothers, and I can't stand by and let them bully you into being in something that just doesn’t suit you.” She moves closer on the sofa, making me want to put more distance between us, but if I get up, she may become insulted.

“My brothers have never forced me to do anything I don’t want to.” I have to stop myself from saying more, knowing I need her to speak to me openly.

Mykela sighs as she places a hand on my leg; for a second, I think it’s a reassuring touch, but then I look into her eyes and realise what she’s really up to.

“Sean, you can't be happy, I mean truly happy. You deserve someone who treats you as well as you treat Jasmine. Someone who would never leave your side, not some girl who would never choose you, and is happy going from one of you to the other, not giving a shit if you may need her or not.”

This time, there is no hiding the shock on my face as I jump to my feet.

“So what do you suggest I do, Mykela? Leave? Who am I leaving? Jasmine? My brothers? Or both?”

“Personally, I think the best thing that could happen is for you to get away from this place, from theirbusiness,because you are too good to be caught up in all the shit they deal in.They bring you down, and you deserve better. You aren’t a thug like them. You hate violence and need to do all you can to distance yourself from them.” She moves closer until she’s right up in my face, and I can't believe I didn’t see it sooner.

“Think about it, Sean. Think about how much easier life would be if Jasmine stayed with your brothers and you were free to love who you want to love.” I need to keep this going because if I play my cards right, I will get a full confession from her. “Tell me you’ve never considered it, and I’ll back off.”

I haven’t, not for one moment, but I stay silent in the hope she will think that I have. I purposely look away from her, but she cups my face between her hands and encourages me to look at her.

“I can see you have, and I have seen it for a while. Don’t think I haven’t seen your shoulders slump when you hear Jaz is with one of the others. Or how you force that smile every time you walk into the room and she sits on one of the others’ laps. I hate seeing you so miserable. You deserve so much more than she’s willing to give you.”

Please God, if you ever listen to anything from me, please make sure Jasmine is not outside this door listening.

“You’re right; I hate seeing her with my brothers,” I reply quietly. “I have thought about leaving a few times, and even more so with the wedding being off, I feel like she should leave with the others, and I could just go off on my own.”

“Then do it. We could leave tonight.”

“We?” I ask, playing dumb, knowing precisely what she hopes will happen.

“Of course; you can't go anywhere without me.” Mykela grins as she rests her hands on my chest. “I know you need time to get over Jasmine, and I understand completely. But maybe one day you will realise that I’ve always been here since the moment we met.”

“You have?” I’m not acting, as I had no idea.

“Of course. Why do you think I worked so hard to become your personal guard?”

“I had no idea.” Again, I realise just how blind I’ve been.

“It’s okay, you do now, and maybe one day you will return my feelings.” She continues to smile at me, and I feel sick to my stomach. Even though I know all this is a lie, it feels wrong. “What do you say? Shall we run tonight?” She looks so hopeful, but I need to get more out of her.

“We can’t,” I sigh, turning away. “I can't leave with everything going on. I need to know they are all at least safe. They are still my family.”

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