Claimed By Three Brothers

Chapter 2

As the board meeting wrapped up, Asher's thoughts were miles away from the agenda. He rushed back to his office, his heart racing with a blend of anger, anxiety, and an unsettling emotion he couldn't quite identify. The envelope of photos seemed to sear through the limits of his desk drawer, demanding his focus.

With trembling fingers, Asher retrieved the photos again. Isabella's face looked back at him, strikingly beautiful yet exposed in ways he had only dared to envision in his most secret thoughts. However, the nausea churning in his stomach eclipsed any thrill he might have experienced.

"What the hell... Who sent these?" he whispered, sifting through the images. Each one was more suggestive than the last, culminating in a shot of Isabella's bare back, the elegant curve of her spine igniting a desire in Asher that he immediately resented.

"God, she's stunning..." he exhaled, only to feel a wave of self-loathing wash over him. "But this? This is completely wrong."

A troubling thought began to take shape in Asher's mind. Liam had been nudging him toward Isabella for months, always wearing that infuriating smirk. Could his brother really have sunk so low as to orchestrate this? The idea sent a surge of anger coursing through him.

Just then, as if his fury had summoned him, Liam entered the office, his trademark grin plastered on his face. "Hey, bro. How did the meeting go?"

Without a moment's pause, Asher seized the least explicit photo from the pile and thrust it toward Liam. "You think this is a joke? Care to explain these, Liam?"

Liam's smile vanished, replaced by shock that quickly morphed into rage. "What the hell, man? Do you think I had anything to do with this? Are you out of your mind?"

"Stop pretending you didn't," Asher hissed, his fists tightening at his sides. "From the very beginning, you've been directing me toward her."

Liam's eyes blazed with fury. "You honestly believe I would do that? Follow the woman I care about."

The accusation struck Asher like a punch. He was aware of Liam's feelings for Isabella, but hearing it so plainly stated twisted something dark within him.

"I am not crazy like you are saying," Liam insisted, his voice low and threatening. "I care about Isabella."

Asher opened his mouth to fire back, but the sharp ring of his phone interrupted him. Zane's voice boomed through the speaker as Asher answered.

"What the hell is happening there?" Zane demanded. "What do you mean, 'That's Isabella?'"

"Yeah, Liam thought it would be a brilliant idea to take these photos and terrify her," Asher shot back.

"You better be kidding," Zane's tone was grim. "I'm on my way."

Liam, who had been simmering in silence, suddenly lunged for the photo in Asher's hand. He flipped it over, revealing something Asher had missed in his rage—words hastily written in red ink: "You're mine."

"Listen, Asher," Liam said, his voice strained with emotion. "I'm done with this. I'm going to track down the creep who's been stalking her, and then I'm out. You won't have to deal with this perverted brother' anymore."

The pain in Liam's eyes hit Asher like a bucket of ice water, watering his anger in an instant. It dawned on him, far too late, just how deeply he had hurt his brother with his harsh words.

"Liam, hold on—" Asher began, but Liam was already striding toward the exit.

"Forget you, Asher," Liam shot back, not looking back. "I'm taking her with me."

The door slammed shut, leaving Asher alone with the incriminating photos and the nauseating realization of his grave misjudgment. Those images weren’t part of some sick joke—they had been sent straight to Isabella. Someone was truly stalking her.

A wave of guilt crashed over Asher. He had allowed his own insecurities and suspicions to distort his perception, attacking Liam instead of recognizing the real danger. Now, because of his foolishness, Isabella was at even greater risk.

"Not again," Asher whispered, his thoughts racing. "I can’t lose her too. I have to make this right."

He began to devise a plan, his protective instincts clashing with the understanding that getting closer to Isabella might only increase her peril. But he refused to stand idly by. Not this time.

Meanwhile, in the hallway, Isabella had caught the tail end of the brothers' argument. She stood, wide-eyed, as Liam stormed out of Asher's office, his expression a mix of fury and hurt. Before she could retreat, Liam's fist struck the wall, leaving a noticeable dent.

For a brief moment, Isabella thought about slipping away unnoticed. But something about Liam's defeated stance made her hesitate. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

"I always thought that wall needed a little smashing anyway," she joked, trying to keep the mood light.

Liam spun around, surprise replacing his anger. "Isabella, didn’t see you there. I guess I’m a bit on edge."

Isabella managed a small smile. "Well, someone had to take action. That wall has been giving me the side-eye for weeks."

Despite himself, Liam felt a laugh rise within him. "You’re something else, you know that?"

"Says the guy who just made a dent in my office wall," Isabella shot back, a playful glint in her eyes.

As Liam's tension began to fade, Isabella caught sight of the glimmer of tears threatening to spill from his eyes. Whatever had gone down with Asher had hit him hard.

"You have a knack for this, Isabella," Liam murmured, locking eyes with her. "You always manage to make things feel a bit lighter."

Isabella felt a flutter in her chest at the kindness in his tone. "That's my job," she said, keeping her voice upbeat despite the heavy emotions swirling around them.

They stood in silence for a moment, the atmosphere thick with unspoken words. Liam then squatted his shoulders, his face full of resolve.

"I need to head out," he said, his voice gravelly. "There's something I have to sort out."