The billionaires best friend

Chapter eighteen

Pic of Tom.

Ben's PoV

It's been three weeks since that photo surfaced and things have gotten worse. Theo and Rick made up but I can see it's taking its toll on them. They are under constant stress because someone has targeted them, there has been three more pictures sent to Theo's phone and one of them was leaked to the press. It's been chaotic. The only reason they are getting through it is because Theo now knows wholeheartedly that it is not Rick in those pictures. The evidence is tiny but it's there, whoever the imposter is has a very small mole under his left ear. Rick spotted it immediately but poor Theo didn't and that caused the fight. They locked themselves away the whole day after the fight and at times Dar and I were worried about the level of shouting that came from Rick. He never raised his voice to Theo like that before and it just proved how hurt he was.

I placed food at the door but it remained untouched. Finally they were quitter and eventually they came out looking worse for the wear but in love like always. Guess they worked it out. Then things were good until the next picture came along and every one that followed just put a dent on their happiness. We soon realised that they weren't the only ones under fire when I was leaving college one evening and found my car had been busted up. It was wrecked, windows smashed, tires slashed and it was spray painted with the words 'fuck the Wallace brothers'. Rick demanded Dar and I moved home with them and he was furious. He was but he didn't get a chance to vent it out because Lorcan was thermonuclear in his anger. My normally calm and joking brother wanted to find whoever was hurting his family and kill them on the spot. It took time but between us we calmed him down.

Rick hired Tom, the cop who helped him with Theo and Mr pig head Reed, as security. Tom had recently left the force and started his own security company and he just bagged himself some 'important clients' his words not ours. He has men around us at all times including himself. I don't like it but I know it's necessary. Poor Kate was terrified at first as she still slightly fears meeting new people so when all these huge men started wandering around our place she retreated into herself and barely left my or Theo's sides. That was until she met Lenny. Lenny, the huge mountain of a man, father of three beautiful girls who adored their muscle filled daddy and visited one sunny afternoon. That visit changed everything, once our beautiful girl saw how much fun those girls were having with their daddy and the other big men she knew she could trust them too.

So here we are all filled into the huge mansion we call home but it's not the happy carefree home it once was, now everyone is guarded, worried and stressed. Every possible lead is being looked into from Mr Reed to Will my ex but nothing is adding up. It's frustrating. "Hey guys breakfast is ready!" I hear Theo through the intercom and I leave my thoughts behind as I leave my comfy bed. The four security men who are inside always join us and they then switch with the four outside so they can eat. Luckily we already knew most of them because Tom hired fellow friends and colleagues. "Looks great Theo. Thanks" Tom compliments as we start to eat. Rick joins us after passing a quick kiss to Theo's forehead "good morning any news?" He asks his usual question. "No nothing yet" Lenny answers. Rick frowns but decides to leave it for now.

We chat for a while and I miss Dar, he had to go to the office early and I am worried. It's not unusual though because each of us are worried whenever anyone leaves. I decide to phone him. I get Lucy and she puts me through immediately "hi love are you ok, is everyone ok?" He panics but I don't blame him as I've said we're all the same. "Yes I just missed you, you were working late last night and gone when I woke up. Will you be home this evening?" I ask. "I'll be there in about three hours do you want to come visit with me?" He asks.

The other thing that's happened is Dar has been visiting his siblings. On the first visit he asked them to forgo talk of the past so he could reconnect with them first. He promised to revisit the topic when he was ready but felt he needed time to digest it all. They were just happy to have him in their lives they agreed. "You know I want to join you Hun. I have to beat soph at cards this time, she thinks she is the queen of poker I'll show her!" I exclaim and it makes him laugh. I go with him each time and we just hang around their place or should I say Rick's two bedroom house that he loaned them while they are here. We watch movies or more often than not play cards. It brings a little light into our worried filled world.

"The two of you are so competitive. Anyway my beauty I need to finish up here so I'll see you soon. I love you" he tells me and just like always it fills my heart with joy to hear it. I return the sentiment and hang up. Just as soon as my call ends another comes through and it's Ramos, I smile as I answer "hi Mos, how-" I'm cut short and my smile falls at his words "you need to get here someone's set the house on fire-" now I cut him off. "What!! Are you both ok?" "I woke up because of the smoke alarms, I got Sophia out but she won't wake up, help Ben please. The ambulance, police and fire fighters are on their way but I'm so scared right now" he's frantic now. "I'll be there in a few minutes hold on" I don't hang up as I run into the kitchen.

Rob notices me first "what's happened Ben?" He says as he rushes toward me. "Somebody burnt the house Dar's brother and sister are in and Ramos can't wake Sophia we need to go" the reaction is instant everyone jumps up and moves for the door except Lenny who assures us he and Bob will take good care of her. "Hold on we're on the way Ramos" I tell him but when he doesn't answer I really panic. "Ramos! Ramos! Answer me please" I scream into the phone. I hear a rustling noise and another voice answers "he's passed out, this is officer Dan and they are both being looked at by the paramedics so don't panic. Who am I talking to-" I tell him all the details he needs to know and hang up. My hands are shaking as I try to ring Dar but Tom places his hands over mine and tells me Rick has already contacted him and he'll meet us there. Please be ok is all I can think as we speed toward the others.