The billionaires best friend

Chapter ninteen

Darius' PoV

'Whoever did this is going to pay, nobody hurts my family and gets away with it. Oh please be ok, they have to be ok. I will forget everything from the past if they are just ok.' I'm literally going from blind rage to blind panic as I rush toward the hospital. I'm cursing traffic and pedestrians alike as I try to manoeuvre around them one minute and the next I'm praying to anyone who'll listen to make sure my siblings are alive and unhurt. Finally I reach the hospital and I go straight to the receptionist "hi my brother and sister were brought in they were in a fire-" "Dar! Over here" I'm cut off by Lor calling me.

"Do you know anything? Are they ok?" I ask quickly as I reach him. "Ramos is fine. He collapsed from exhaustion and smoke inhalation but he is awake now. The doctor wants him here for twenty four hours to ensure his lungs are working properly. We can't go see him for a little while" he tells me as we make our way to a waiting room. Just as I am about to enter the room he stops me "still no word on Sophia, the last we heard the doctors were trying to resuscitate her." He says giving me the full story. My stomach turns.

I'm happy Ramos is going to be ok but I'm worried about my big sister. I enter the room and make a beeline for Ben, I feel comfort from his touch, he is home. I bury my face in his curls and let a few tears slide. Nothing has been easy for us but together we can get through anything. He doesn't speak he just holds me. I take a few deep breaths and calm down, I look him in the eyes and tell him "I love you" he gives me a slight smile and says "to the moon and back my love".

Now it's time to get some questions answered. I keep Ben at my side needing to feel him close as I ask "do we know who did this? Are we sure it wasn't just a house fire?" Rick shakes his head "it certainly wasn't a house fire Dar, I'm sorry but whoever is messing with us did this. They left a message burnt onto the grass area outside the house. Whoever they are they mean business and they are carefully planning each move. I'm sorry your family got caught up in this bro". I shake my head "it's not your fault it's the sick fucker that's threatening all of my family who's at fault. Any leads Tom?".

Tom steps forward "nothing so far, trust me when I tell you we're working round the clock to find the culprit. Lenny and Bob are going through the security footage back at Rick's place right now and I have the others doing forensics at the house. I think it's time to tell you guys that I don't think any of your places are safe right now, we need to discuss another option until I can be assured they are checked and fully secured. Have you anywhere you lot can go for a couple of days that the culprit wouldn't know about, somewhere safe?" He asks. I can't think of anywhere off the cuff.

"You are all coming home with us" says a voice that freezes me on the spot. I don't and can't make my eyes look for the owner of the voice. I don't need to identify the person. That voice is ingrained in my blood, I've heard and recognised that very same voice from the time I was brought into this earth. As if time rewound itself I feel like a small boy again, it's an inherent feeling that comes across a person once they hear the voice of their parent after the longest time. I turn and say "Dad?".

My eyes search his face and I see it, I see the effect the suffering the last eight years has weathered on him but there is a new vigour to the man. It's like a weight has been shifted and I realise that he did it, he fought the depression and came through it. Sure it's probably still there under the surface, as anyone who knows anything about the illness knows, it's always there but it's not ruling his life anymore. He walks toward me and I squeeze Ben's side holding this beautiful man as my anchor. I refuse to let him go, my father needs to know from the start who I love and I will not feel ashamed because of it. He reaches me and places his hand on my cheek an old gesture that again throws me back to childhood momentarily.

"Hi son, we need to talk but not here. I'm sorry and I love you but let's talk more once I get you all home, yeah?" I don't answer, I can't find the words so as always my guiding light, the love of my life stands in for me. "Hi, I'm Ben" he says as he shakes my fathers hand. "This is my brother Rick, you could call him the head of the family and we are just that, one big family I mean. Could you please discuss this matter with him and Tom. This is Tom head of security. They will decide whether or not we take you up on your kind offer" he introduces both men politely and never leaves my side while he directs the attention away from myself and my fathers reunion.

As soon as that's done he nods to Lor who understands the meaning and gently pulls me from the room. We enter the bathroom and he tucks himself into my chest. I love this man so much, he is still so young but he is so wise. He rubs my back effectively calming my ragged breaths "it's ok love, we don't have to go back in there if you don't want to alright" he whispers in my ear. That's not happening though, I may be shocked right now but I swore there would be no more running so I'm going to man up and face the situation head on. I just needed a few minutes to readjust to seeing the man after so long. "No, my beauty, no more running remember, you make me strong enough to face this so I can do it with you by my side" he nods.

As he pulls me against his body he whispers "I love you, now lets get out there and make sure our brothers are playing nice" I laugh lowly but realise he's right we left my father with our overprotective brother "shit, your right, lets go" he hums and inhales my scent "he's a big boy he'll deal" he says as he exhales. I agree so we spend just a little while longer holding and comforting each other in the hospital bathroom.