Page 13 of Four Fiances & I

“You ready to face the music?”

I turn to look at Terry as I take a deep breath.

“No time like the present,” I answer, grabbing a bag from the back seat. It’s a good job I’m rich as a few hours away turned into four days, and I had to keep sending Terry out to buy me new stuff, including a new phone.

“Remember to keep your mouth shut,” I warn as Terry shakes his head.

“The truth will come out eventually, Christian. You need to be honest with them now.”

“I don’t remember paying you for your advice,” I snap through gritted teeth and instantly regret it.

“No, you pay me to protect you, and sometimes that includes from yourself!” he snaps in retaliation. “Just remember I’ve had your back since we were kids, and I always will, even if you do pay my wages. But I’m not saying this as your employee; I’m saying this as the closest thing you have to a best friend. Don’t push them away when you need them the most.” He grabs his things from the back of the car and slams the boot shut.

“I will keep your secrets. I always have and always will. But don’t expect me to put your pride over the safety of others. I wouldn’t be doing my job as your head of security or your friend if I did.”

I watch as he storms off towards the back of the building where the security hub is—no doubt to get all the details from our time away and then head home.

Letting out a deep sigh, knowing I need to face the music and walk through to the kitchen from the garage, where I’m surprised to find Mrs Brown making herself a hot drink.

“Look what the cat finally dragged in,” she snaps, standing with her hand on her hips. “Do you have any idea how worried everyone has been?”

“Something came up…” I start, but Mrs Brown stops me by throwing her cloth onto the side and standing in front of me.

“It’s not me you have to explain to; it's that poor girl upstairs. She is beside herself with worry about her best friend, and then her fiancé goes missing and doesn’t even bother to pick up the phone to reassure her that he is okay.”

“My phone was broken. They know-”

“Whatever your reasoning, you need to stop and think,” she snaps, cutting me off. I turn around to drop my bag by the utility room as she continues to berate me. “Your brothers are used to you going off and doing your own thing, but young Jasmine isn’t. She needs you right now, and you have only bothered to message a handful of times. And now, with everything going on, she is heartbroken and scared and needs her Daddy.”

I spin around on the spot to look at her, it’s then I realise how worried she looks.

“What’s going on? Is Jasmine okay?” I demand, looking around.

“No. There seems to be some trouble with poor Miss Stevenson and the Donavons. Maximus left to help out. Poor Jasmine is worried sick.”

“Where is she?” I demand, dropping my new overnight bag on the floor.

“Upstairs.”

I don’t waste any more time as I turn on my heels and rush out of the kitchen, heading straight for the stairs. Taking them three at a time, I charge towards her room to find it empty.

“She’s in with Jason.”

I turn at Sean’s voice to find him walking towards me from his room.

“What the fuck’s happened?” I demand, charging into Jason's room to find Jasmine curled up on his lap, her eyes red from crying.

I don’t have to say a word; she leaps from him and straight into my waiting arms.

“You’re finally home,” she gasps as she hangs on to me tight, and her whole body starts to shake as she cries.

“I’m here, Sweetheart. I’m so sorry.” Guilt like never before engulfs me as I hold her, running a hand over her head as she cries. I hear Sean moving something and turn in time to see him nod to the chair he has placed behind me.

I sit, pulling Jasmine onto my lap as she curls up small.

“What’s happened?” I ask again, looking at my two brothers.

“We should be asking you the same question,” Jason replies. He doesn’t snap or yell, but I know we will be having some strong words about my silence later.

---