Back At Their Side (completed)

Part Fifteen - Reports

POV Philip
Matt and I leave Tara sleeping and head for the study.
"She's doing well" he says sitting behind the desk and turning on the security link.
"So far" I agree " but we've a long way to go"
I pick up the phone and order coffee before settling down opposite Matt.
"Any news from Joe's team"
"Nothing yet"
There was a knock on the door. "Come"
I watched as Tim put the tray on the desk "anything else sir" he asked.
"If you could leave us a light lunch, soup and sandwiches is fine - no tomato's" I instruct.
"For two or three sir"
"Three"
I could see Tim hesitating at the door.
"Is there something you want to ask Tim?" I question.
"I'm sorry sir, I don't want to talk out of place but there is talk about the young lady.." he hesitated as if not sure how to continue.  Tim had worked for my family for a long time but had only recently taken over running this household for me, he would be one of the few who would be brave enough to call me out on the situation.
Matt stands up looking at Tim "what talk?"the he growls.
Tim fidgets "is she here of her own choice or have you kidnapped her"
Matt snorts and looks at me to answer, only a couple of staff had met her before she left so I supposed the speculation was to be expected, especially given the events since her arrival.
"Does this affect your loyalty or work for me" I ask.
"No sir, of course not, but I wouldn't want to see you get into trouble either sir" he replied.
"Relax Tim, she is my wife, she belongs with me, however at the moment she is a flight risk so I am keeping her safe"
Tim looks at me "congratulations sir, I wish you both well"
"Thank you, but Tim, I don't want people knowing she is here, this talk between the staff I want to know what's being said, by whom and if anyone lets any information out, that we are here or she's my wife, being fired will be the least of their worries"
He nodded looking grave "I understand sir, and if I hear anything I shall make sure you are informed" and he left closing the door behind him.
"Damn it" I ran my hands through my hair in frustration looking at Matt "what else can go wrong"

POV Matt
I looked between the computer screen showing Tara sleeping and my best friend.
"Maybe we should announce her position as your wife" I tell him carefully before explaining "We kept it quiet before because she wanted to be the one to tell her father, that reasons gone and think about it, if you claim her publicly then she's more protected, the only downside is Brian and Caroline will know she's back"
He looked back at me.
"Just think about it" I tell him as his phone rings
"Joe, hang on" he puts the phone on speaker and puts it on the desk between us.
"Go ahead"
"We checked out your brothers apartment last night and have removed a camera and memory stick from his safe, I checked his computer and have copied and deleted his hard drive so if he had anything stored on there he will have lost it, as far as I can see, based on the photo you supplied me, we have cleared everything relating to Tara Beaumont from the apartment, however in his safe we found a safety deposit box key and details for access, he has had the box about 5 years"
"Did you take the key and details for the box?"
"Yes sir, it's not a main bank and I know the place he's used, it's not very high tech"
"Is it accessible with what you've got"
"Yes sir, I believe so"
I look at Philip over the desk and nodded.
"Joe empty that box and bring everything to me, I'll text you the address, and keep it discreet, I want as few people as possible to know where we are"
"Yes sir, i will let you know if there's any problems but expect i will be there this evening" Joe promises before hanging up.
"Let's hope he gets it all" already planning in my head what I would do to Brian. "I want first crack at him" I say.
"Together" Phil replies.
"And what about Caroline?"
I watch a dark smile spread over his face "Caroline is going to learn how the feudal inheritance system does not support traitors"
"No money?" I query
"No money, no access" he growls "but I will find out why she did this before she escapes me"
"She will survive, her kind always do" I remind him.
"Yes, I know but not here, if she stays in the country I will bury her"
A small cry sounds from the screen and we watch as Tara's dreams torment her, we race up to her room.
Xx
POV Tara - dreaming
I'm running through the dark woods chased by her sharp laughter - bitch I'll make you pay she calls, I shake as I search for a way out, falling into a clearing, the sun suddenly shining down, illuminating the two beautiful men who stood watching me lovingly, as I got closer their expressions change and the smile turns into a sneer, they raise their hands but before I can step forward they are joined by Caroline and Brian who laugh darkly as the men take a step back away from me turning away in disgust, I reach for them but am pulled back feeling Carolines nails scraping down my arms, I scream out for them but they keep retreating, Brian grabs my hair and drags me to the ground at his feet laughing over me, a whip appearing in his hand that he raises and brings down on me, I scream again struggling in his hold and each time the whip strikes me I arch in pain.
Xx
I don't register Philip and Matt entering the room, I don't feel them move to my side and try to wake me, I am trapped inside my dream, at the mental pain of the whip my physical body curls up to brace for the blows.
Xx
I curl into myself braced for the pain, their laughter above me - they won't help you over us, they will leave you here in pain, your worthless they taunt in between blows.
Your wrong I cry over and over, they promised me they would keep me safe, I had to believe, they promised - believe, Brian raised the whip again ready to strike but his hand was held, I looked up to see Philip holding him back  - she's ours you don't touch her he said pushing Brian back, Caroline screeched as Matt restrained her - no she screamed you should have been mine and she gripped Matt pulling him towards her looking me in the eye as she put her lips to his - within seconds she was gone as Matt threw her away from him, dropping to my side - were sorry he repeated over and over pulling me close - Phil pushed Brian away and joined us holding me in between them and stroking me whispering reassuring words to me and I calmed down.