Page 57 of Four Fiances & I

“She told me under no uncertain terms that there would be no punishments issued for anything said or done. Tonight, we were just two people arguing, like any other couple.” A smirk appears as he stares at me. “Although Maximus, you might disagree when you hear she poured over half a bottle of your favourite bourbon on the grass.”

I stare at him, shocked, before looking at Maximus.

“I didn’t know it was yours! I was trying to stop him from drinking himself into a coma!” I protest as Maximus takes a step forward.

“Do you have any idea how expensive that bourbon is?” he demands.

“Well, he was drinking it straight out of the bottle, so you wouldn’t have wanted to drink any more of it anyway.”

His head snaps up as he goes from staring at me to Christian.

“You owe me a bottle, arsehole,” he declares before rubbing his face. “I’m going to bed. Are you coming, Shorty? Or are you staying with one of the others?”

“I’m going to my room. I need some time to think,” I admit. Maximus nods before kissing my lips and wishing me a good night. Sean is behind him and kisses me quickly before the two of them head to bed, leaving Jason, Christian, and I standing in the hallway. I glance to where the security had been, but they have also gone, probably realising it was a family matter and no one was in any further danger.

I look between the two brothers and realise they need a little time to talk.

“Did I get through to the two of you?” I ask. “Do you finally accept that neither of you is to blame, and this arguing needs to stop.” I check I have both men's attention. “I will never choose one of you over the other, but I cannot handle the two of you arguing and fighting. You are more than just brothers; you are best friends and have been through too much to act like a couple of spoilt rich kids.” I look between the two of them, hoping it’s sinking in. “I hate violence, but I accept that it’s a part of being with you and have come to terms with that. But I will not accept it in our home, especially with each other.” I turn to Christian with raised brows.

“Now, you two obviously need to have a long chat, and it’s up to you when that is. But I suggest it is soon because otherwise, I will be forced to activate nagging wife mode before we are even married.”

“Yes, Sweetheart,” he smiles before looking at Jason. “Iamsorry.”

“I know, me too. I think talking sometime soon would be a good idea. We’ve gotten so good at reading each other that we are also good at hiding shit too.”

Christian nods before looking to the stairs.

“But not now; I need to pass out and sleep off some of this alcohol before dealing with anything else.” He rubs his face as I smile at him.

“Yes, you do, as well as shower. You smell like a brewery.” I rush towards the stairs as Christian goes to grab me.

“Your time of being just Jasmine is coming to an end, Sweetheart. I will start punishing you again,” he warns with a smile. I stand on the bottom step and look at the two of them.

“On that note, I’m going to bed before I start being bratty then,” I smile before turning around and skipping up the stairs.

“Sweetheart?” I turn to Christian’s voice to find him standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at me seriously. “Thank you. I think you were the only one who could have gotten through to me tonight, and you did it without a moment's hesitation. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but whatever it was, I’m grateful for it. I’m forever grateful for you.”

I stand on the step for a moment, looking at this man. When I saw him in the garden, I hadn’t gotten that loving feeling I always get when I look at him. But now, all I can feel is my love for him. I nearly trip as I rush down the stairs and throw myself into his arms. He catches me with ease and holds me close as I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face into his shoulder.

“I’ve always got your back, even when you think you don’t deserve it,” I whisper before lifting my head and looking at him. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too, Sweetheart, more than you will ever know.” I kiss him once on the cheek before he lowers me back onto the step. I smile one more time before heading back up the stairs.

“Oh, one more thing,” he calls. I turn around, rolling my eyes.

“Daddy, I’m tired,” I groan dramatically, hoping to keep the smile on his face, and it works. Christian grins before nodding up the stairs.

“I was an arsehole tonight and stopped Maximus from coming in to see you when we got home. He wanted to be with you tonight, and I think it may be what he needed.”

I look up the stairs and think about how tightly he held me when we got into bed. I smile at Christian and nod before rushing up the stairs.

I don’t stop until I get to Maximus’s room, where the door’s open a little. I walk in to find him sitting up in bed. His head snaps to the door, and he looks confused.

“Shorty? I thought you wanted some space tonight?”

I climb into bed and snuggle up to him. He’s warm, and I realise how cold I had become since slipping out of bed earlier.

“I decided I would rather be back in here with you,” I whisper, smiling into his chest as he settles us back into bed. “As long as you don’t mind,” I add, already knowing the answer.

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