Chapter 8: Surprise Visitor

One Week Later…

Curled up on the couch with a nice glass of wine Candice turns on a movie. The investigation into Josef should be closing up very soon and then she could go see her David. She missed him so much. She was independent and could handle being on her own but she loved that lug and missed having him around, curling up next to him after they make love.

A smile curled on her lips as she thought about their phone call the previous night. He'd waited to call her until he was back in his room with no other things to do for the night. They'd gotten X-rated pretty quickly engaging in phone sex. They'd both come from it, but it seemed to make her miss him all the more.

Lost in her thoughts as the movie she's seen a hundred times was on the screen Candice heard the elevator ding. She hadn't heard from David yet tonight and hope shot through her, maybe he'd finished and was surprising her. Setting her wine down she stood up waiting anxiously for the door to open.

Instead a knock sounded. Slightly disappointed she headed to the door and hit the button for the camera. Her heart began racing in panic seeing who stood outside her door. Ryan. One person she never thought she'd see again.

Ryan had worked with David and they were friends once. She liked him as well he was always very nice to her. That was until he staked David and let Coraline free. He'd left them letters saying he was sorry for his actions but he had understood her. She had inadvertently come between two friends. Ryan had fallen in love with her. Neither she nor David had known. That was the last she'd heard from him.

Now he was standing on the other side of her door. He seemed to sense her there, "I mean you no harm." He held up his hands in a sign of surrender.

Candice doesn't open the door. "Why are you here?" Before he can answer she remembers the more important fact, he'd left with Mick's crazy ex wife and if he was back she might be as well. "Where's Coraline?"

"That's why I'm here. I lost her."

"What? You lost her."

Still standing outside the door Candice watches him on camera as he runs his hand through his shaggy hair. "Things had been going well. I thought so anyways then one night she disappeared."

"Is she in LA?"

"I don't know. I tried to track her down for the last week or so but haven't been able to pick up her trail. Last thing I picked up was that she was headed to California. I knew I needed to come here. I have a feeling this is where she'll end up. I needed to warn everyone."

Candice is trying to make sense of everything. She knows she should call David or Josef. Tell them that the man who betrayed them was at her door. But something was stopping her. Guilt. He'd left town because of her. He'd fallen in love with her.

"Why did you come to me? She has no problem with me. You should have went to Mick and Beth. They're the ones in danger."

He shrugs, "I know. I could have done this by phone but I owe it to David. I know what I did to him was wrong, I betrayed him and I wanted a chance to apologize and give him a free shot at me before Josef…" he sighs, "…I know how Josef handles traitors."

"Then why risk coming here. David's not even here," she said it before she thought.

Ryan closes his eyes and breathes out a heavy breath. "I won't run from this. I have caused this mess. I do think I can find her if she's here."

"Hold on," Candice heads to the couch and grabs her phone. She quickly dials Beth.

"Hi," Beth answers cheerfully.

"Beth is Mick with you?"

"Yes why?" Beth's tone tightens hearing the worry in her friends voice.

"You guys should get over here. It's important. It's about…Coraline."

"We'll be right there." Beth disconnects and Candice heads back to the door.

"Mick and Beth are on their way over," she tells him as she watches him. She's unsure if he will run or not.

Instead he turns his back to the door and slides down into a seated position. "Where's David? Is he on his way?"

"He's…he's out of town."

Ryan gives a laugh, "I've always had horrible timing I guess."

Candice can see him sitting there. She looks at her watch Mick and Beth would be here shortly. Her gut told her she wasn't in any danger from him. Unlocking the door she slowly opens it. Ryan stands up hearing the locks, "Come inside."

He nods and slowly steps through the door. Candice leaves it open for when Mick and Beth arrive and heads back to the couch taking the remote and turning off the TV. Ryan stands in his black leather jacket and fitted jeans, his shaggy bed head hair and some scruff indicating it's been a while since he shaved. Somehow in her mind she figured having him inside and not having a conversation through a door would make things seem less awkward. She was wrong.

To Be Continued…

Evilous