Page 76 of Four Fiances & I

I look at Sean and frown; surely, he can’t be implying what I think he is. But Jasmine looks at him and shakes her head.

“No, but I think Mum knew Taylor or at least a few of his guys.”

“When did it stop, Jazzy?” Jason asks, retaking her hand.

“About a year before the wedding, I think. It may have been more like two, as I was hardly home by that point, so she wasn’t able to drug me. I think they tried a couple of times, but I would fight them. She stopped then and just resorted to berating me. She was sober for about six months before introducing me to Tommy a few months before the wedding.”

I watch Jason's shoulders relax a little and realise he is worried that Hudson has been one of the ones who hurt her. It sounds like the kind of thing he was into. But Hudson started working for Taylor a few months after the wedding. I think if he had been one of them, Jason would have lost it, blaming himself even more for letting the bastard live when he should have killed him.

“I don’t remember much more,” she admits quietly before wiping her face. When she looks up at me, her bloodshot eyes break my heart. “I really wanted you to be my first.” Her bottom lip starts to tremble again as I tighten my arms around her, trying desperately to hold her together as she falls apart on my lap.

“He was, Jazzy,” Jason whispers, reaching over to place a finger under her chin and tilting her head up so he can look at her.

“But-”

“But nothing,” he cuts her off. “He was the first person you gave yourself willingly to. That makes him your first.

“That afternoon, you gave us all the greatest gift we could have ever asked for. You gave us your heart and trust, and it’s something we cherish more than anything else.”

“He’s right, Sweetheart,” I whisper into her hair. “Like I told you a few minutes ago, nothing can take that afternoon away from us. The five of us began something amazing that day, and no one and nothing will ever taint that memory.”

She looks at all of us as we try to hide how much our hearts are breaking for our girl.

“Thank you,” she whispers, leaning her head back into my chest.

“What for, Shorty?” Maximus asks as he leans forward and takes her hand.

“For being supportive like you always are. For letting me take those few days to come to terms with everything before telling you all.”

“You know better than thanking us for looking after you, Angel,” Jason points out, but Jasmine shakes her head.

“I’m thanking you for caring enough to look after me. For always holding me when I feel like I’m breaking apart. I love you all so much, and now and again, I want to show you how much I appreciate you. I do that by saying thank you. So just for once, let me.”

“As you wish, Princess.” Sean leans in and presses a kiss to the top of her head. “But just know that I am so proud of you and how you have handled all of this.”

“I think it’s safe to say we all are,” I add as Maximus and Jason nod in agreement.

“I’m trying to focus on the future,” she whispers as she closes her eyes. “We are going to have a great future together,” she adds, her voice sounding heavy.

One thing we have learnt about Jasmine is that crying wears her out physically as well as mentally. Whenever she cries, she curls up against one of us and falls asleep. I like to think it’s because she feels genuinely safe with us and knows there is nothing we wouldn’t do to protect her.

“Where do you want to sleep tonight, Jazzy?” Jason asks, giving her hand a quick squeeze before she falls into a deep sleep.

“Can I sleep with Daddy?” she asks slowly, not opening her eyes.

“Of course you can, Sweetheart,” I respond, lifting her in my arms as I stand.

“You get her upstairs; I’ll check in with security before calling it a night,” Jason says, looking at me. I nod and leave the sitting room with the twins close behind, as they will want to see her into bed.

Once in our room, I place Jasmine on the bed and step back.

“Let these two help you get ready for bed, Sweetheart. I’ll be right back.” Kissing the top of her head, I go to the bathroom and take a quick shower. At one point, I notice Maximus's arms around Jasmine as she brushes her teeth. After tonight, I know everyone will want a couple of minutes alone with her, making sure, in their own way, she’s okay.

I take my time drying off after my shower and brushing my teeth, giving my brothers as long as they need with Jasmine.

When I finally walk into the bedroom, the twins are gone, and Jason is curled up on the bed with Jasmine. She is almost asleep, clinging to her teddy, which is pressed into her face, to the point I’m worried she can’t breathe. Jason is stroking her hair and whispering to her, so I keep my back turned, giving him space, not wanting to intrude on their time together.

When I eventually turn around, he is still curled up, his eyes closed, as he starts to fall asleep. I walk around to the other side and climb in behind our girl.

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