Chapter 18: Suspicious Finances

When Candice opens the door to their place she already knows Ashton is there. She had picked up his scent when she walked off the elevator and could hear his and David's laughter from the hall. When she walked inside David looks up at her with those bedroom eyes and grinned making her feel right at home. Beth hadn't called her back yet and no one was answering at the loft so Candice had decided to just catch her later.

Setting her things down she heard the tail end of the conversation, David was happy for his friend for some reason. When she turned around Ashton was walking right up to her. "I'd like to thank you."

Raising her eyebrow she asked, "For?"

"For loving this man, showing me what love looks like so that I was able to recognize it for myself."

Candice couldn't hide her grin, "Are you finally admitting you're in love with her?"

"I did, not as smoothly as I'd have hoped but she has a way of making me sound a fool." Candice chuckled at his phrasing, he was growing on her. "You have also been a great help with my courting of my love and for that I am grateful."

David came up beside Candice and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her body close to his. "Ashton is looking for a long time rental that's vampire friendly. He's going to be spending more time here."

"For Kimberly?"

"For different reasons but yes she is a very important one. I'd also like to be closer to David here, we still have much to catch up on and I'd like to stay part of this life." Looking directly into her eyes he added, "If you wouldn't mind sharing my company on occasion."

Candice looked over to David and smiled softly, "I don't mind."

David leaned in and stole a kiss before pulling back not wanting to get too carried away while they still had company. "Thank you both again and I look forward to our next meeting but right now I have plans with Kimberly."

Candice smiled, "Hold on." She turned to her purse and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and quickly scribbled something on it before handing it to him.

"What's this?" He looked at the paper.

"It's a small shop downtown they have some of the best chocolate I ever had. Most women love good chocolate."

Ashton pocketed the paper and bowed his head slightly, "Thank you I will visit this address."

David showed Ashton too the door promising to talk more soon. When David returned to the kitchen counter Candice had poured them both a glass of AB positive and handed one to him. He took it in one hand but with the other pulled her close kissing her more passionately now that they were alone. When he pulled back he took a sip of his blood, "That was nice of you to help him."

Candice took a drink of her own and smiled, "I'm helping out the poor girl who's fallen head over heels for a vampire who has no clue."

David chuckled, "Yes we vampires need some direction. Would that chocolate shop be the same one that I magically found their card in my jacket pocket?"

Candice grinned at being caught, "You bet."

Finishing his glass he set it to the side and held her hips in his hands, "I always knew you'd left it but I was thankful for the help."

Candice stroked his jaw playfully, "And you are so good at taking direction…most of the time anyways."

David chuckled, "Some of your hints Can aren't as obvious as a business card."

"Yes subtlety doesn't work so well." Leaning up she kisses him softly, "But I love you anyways."

"Happy to hear it," he lifted her up into his arms.

Mick walked up behind Beth who was sitting at the kitchen table going over financials for Nolan Poole. They had their usual dinner with Kayla and she was so excited about her upcoming birthday and dance recital she could hardly contain herself. After Mick had volunteered to clean up the kitchen since Beth had cooked Kayla's dinner.

"Find anything?" He set a travel mug in front of her. They had talked with Kayla about it and made sure she knew to never try and drink their special drinks but still they tried to keep it concealed.

"This isn't adding up. He makes too much money to have this little in his account. A couple months ago all his money went into this account like clockwork money came out for bills and cash was pulled out part of which was Grace's allowance." Beth looked over her shoulder at him, "Can you believe that? He abuses her then gives her an allowance."

Mick kissed her forehead, "Remember he likes control. Men like him thrive on having the power. Him keeping her financially dependent on him."

"She has a part time job but she doesn't make too much." Beth pulled up some papers and showed them to Mick, "See right here is where his usual deposits went in. According to his company he was doing better than ever and even got a raise last month but yet three months ago his deposits have shrunk. He only kept enough money in the account to pay for bills."

Mick looked at what Beth had highlighted and agreed, "This could lead somewhere. Why would he need to hide his money away though if she didn't have access?"

"Well I'd normally say maybe he was thinking about divorce and didn't want her to get any of his money. They never signed a prenup but I don't think she'd go after any of his money."

"He went through too much trouble to keep her under his control. I don't see him letting her go. I hate to say it but from what we know about him he seems more likely to kill her than divorce her."

Beth sighed, "I'll keep tracking the money see if I can find out where he put it."

Mick nodded, "By the way there was a message on the machine from a store Things Remembered, they said they had a wide selection and to come in any time."

Beth's face brightened at the news, "I'm glad. I'll take Kayla out there soon."

"Is that for the necklace?"

Beth nodded, "I think its sweet that she wants to spend some of her money on something like that."

"It is. I'm sure she'll enjoy some mommy daughter time too." Mick took another look at the papers, "I'm going to keep trying to get a hold of the after hours house keeper. She hasn't called me back yet."

Beth nodded, "Okay but we have to get to bed before midnight."

Mick kissed her temple again agreeing before he headed off to the office to make the phone call and hopefully get some leads.

To Be Continued…

Evilous