Chapter 10: Upset Mates

"Hey I just saw you called. I've been swamped."

"How are things?" Candice wanted to ease into this news.

"Well I have found the final candidates and they seem like a good batch. The renovations are still under way. Tomorrow bright and early I'll get back there and make sure the security system is working properly and there are no blind spots."

David stops for a moment and sighs, "I miss you. But I hope I can be finished in another week…maybe two at the most."

"I miss you too."

"Can what's going on? Are you okay? You sound worried, did the investigation blow up?"

She smiled softly at his concern. "I'm fine. The investigation is almost cleared up and I expect no problems."

Taking a deep breath she stills herself for the truth. "David I need to tell you something but I need you to promise to stay calm."

"You know that only makes me worry more about you."

"Okay…I'm fine okay. I…ummm…I had an unexpected visitor show up on the door step tonight." She waits for a moment trying to think of a way to soften the news but unable to find one, "Ryan."

"WHAT? Is he still there? Did you call Josef? Are you—"

"Please David stay calm. I'm fine. Everything is fine. He's talking with Mick and Beth downstairs now. He—"

"He's downstairs? You let him in?"

"He came to warn us. Coraline disappeared. He tried to track her but the last he heard she was headed to California."

"He better be in shackles. I'm headed to the airport now. I'll be home as soon as possible to deal with him."

"David no, just listen." Candice didn't want him rushing out on Ashton to get here and blow up. They had things to work out but first things first finding Coraline. "I know this is a shock and you're upset but listen okay he's trying to help us find her."

"We'll work on that when I get there."

She could tell this wasn't working. "David please just hear me out. I don't want you to hurt him." She bit her lip as the words left her mouth. She didn't want Ryan hurt. She never had. She still felt responsible for his betrayal.

When David doesn't say anything she continues. "Look I know he screwed up. He betrayed everyone but…I get it. I get why he did it."

"Because he's in love with you."

"I know that. I didn't know that then. I wouldn't trade our life together for anything David but if I had known…I don't know maybe I could have tried to make it better. Aside from that he still might be our best lead in finding Coraline. He wants to help and I believe that much."

David is trying very hard not to crush his phone in his hand as he holds it to his ear. "Do you really expect me to stay away while you defend the man who is so in love with you he staked me and freed her in the first place?"

"It's not like I'm inviting him to stay here. I'm sure Josef will have him confined. Besides you're helping Ashton there and you said yourself you're busy. If you leave him with the unfinished mess you'll feel bad for letting him down. I don't want that. And no I don't want you attacking Ryan right now either."

"So he can play on your guilt? Warm up to you and make his move?"

Indignation flared through her body, "Do you think that little of me. Of us? You know what do whatever you're going to do David. I can't stop you and you don't seem to trust me one bit. I was trying to be calm and make sense of this insane situation but clearly I'm alone in that."

Without pausing she hung up the phone and threw it onto the bed before hugging her arms around her body. Taking deep breaths in and out Candice tries to regain her composure. She'd never meant to fight with him. He'd just made her so angry. She was trying to be rational. At first his concern made her feel warm and secure but then he just upset her. The idea that she'd be fooled or seduced away from him. She didn't want to fight with David.

Maybe he was right and this was only her guilt talking but she would never cheat on David because of guilt. That was ridiculous. But still her guilt couldn't be helped. He should know that better than anyone. After all hadn't he felt guilt over what had transpired with Ashton all those decades ago. He couldn't have done anything different but still he felt responsible.

Candice began to pace the room. Hanging up on David and ending things angry wasn't how it should be. They never fought. When they got upset they would yell it out then make up right away.

"Candice…" David looked at his phone screen and saw that she had in fact hung up on him.

His head was spinning. He couldn't think straight and sat down on the chair in his room unable to stand. He didn't want to push her away. He was just trying to protect her. He hadn't meant to upset her. He pulled up her number on his phone again ready to redial her but knew he needed a moment to calm down or they'd just argue some more and say things they didn't mean.

David ran his hand down his face and blew out a heavy breath. He wanted to go home. He wanted to deal with this. But he had to trust her. Of all the things he felt about Ryan and his betrayal he did believe he wouldn't hurt Candice. But a lot of time has passed and he had been with Coraline for a long time maybe she poisoned his mind. But he had to try and focus on the good parts. Candice was brilliant. She wouldn't put herself into danger on purpose.

Feeling he was calmer he hit redial.

Candice picked up the phone from the bed where she tossed it. She pulled up David's numberabout to hit dial when the phone began to vibrate in her hands and David's face showed up on her screen.

Laughing she hit answer. "I'm sorry," they both say.

"You know I trust you Can I just don't like being away from you and now with this. I'm worried about you."

"I'm sorry I got so angry and hung up. I don't want to fight with you David. I love you."

David breathed in at her words. "I love you so much. Look I don't like this but I'll take it a day at a time. I want you to call me every day."

She gave a soft laugh, "I already call you everyday you lug."

"I know."

After a moment of silence Candice looks at the time. "I should head back and see what they have. But I promise to keep you updated. I love you and I want you home."

"Promise you'll call if anything happens."

"I promise I'll call even if nothing happens."

"Okay then," he leaned back in the chair. "I love you baby. I'll talk to you soon."

"I love you too. Night." After she disconnected the line, this time feeling much better, Candice headed downstairs.

To Be Continued…

Evilous