Chapter 14: Put on a Leash

Mick pulls up outside of Josef's and see's they are the last to arrive. It had been a busy morning already. After taking Kayla to school Mick and Beth had went to the administration to make sure they knew Kayla was only to be seen by family and no one else was to take her out of school under any circumstances. They had given a list of names along with pictures of who she could go with, making sure they knew to trust Kayla knew her family. Beth also made sure to add Alice's mother to the list, she picked Kayla up sometimes for dance. They wanted to keep her safe during all of this not disrupt her life too badly.

The two men Devon had sent would rotate 8 hr shifts watching her wherever she went just out of sight. Kayla had promised to keep her phone with her at all times and the men could track the phone while she was in the buildings.

Inside Beth sees Candice right away. She goes over to her, "How are you doing?"

Candice laughs, "I'm not the one who should be worried. How are you holding up?"

Candice knew about Beth's history with Coraline from the kidnapping to her comeback as Morgan that split Mick and Beth up temporarily. "I'm doing okay. I just want this bitch found and finished for good."

"I agree," Mick wrapped his arm around her.

Josef had everyone gather in the main room of the house. Mick held Beth as they walked in behind Josef along with Candice, Devon and a few other guards they didn't know by name off hand.

"Where's Ryan?" Candice asked not seeing him.

Josef turned around and faced everyone then looked over to one of the guards by the door that disappeared. The guard returned with Ryan in silver shackles and flanked by 2 other guards. He didn't appear any worse form when he was taken from Candice's living room aside from tired and drained.

Candice felt a surge of pain at seeing him like that. He had went willingly the night before and had still been put in silver. "Josef we're surrounded by guards is the silver necessary?" She tried to keep her voice neutral. "You didn't even silver Coraline and she's the one we're after."

"I had a deal with Coraline and as you know she then fled. With the help of this one," Josef pointed at Ryan.

"He's right I betrayed you all." Ryan looks around at everyone. He didn't know Mick and Beth very well but he felt like he did.

Turning his eyes to Josef he lowered his head, "I can't undo my betrayal but I hope to help you recover Coraline. I was wrong to believe her. I had my own reasons but they don't matter now. I lost her and have put you all in danger."

Josef eyed him critically then nodded, "You wouldn't be the first man put under by Coraline's spell. That in no way makes up for your actions though."

Ryan nodded, "Do with me whatever you want but please let me help you catch her first."

"Tell us what you know." After realizing his Jean may be a target he was more than happy to let him help.

"We were in Chicago. We'd been there for a while, it was nice enough. I picked up a few jobs as a bouncer here and there mostly to find card games. At first I kept a close eye on her but by the time we made it to Chicago she seemed…different. She started taking pictures again and sold some to the papers. Things seemed to fall into a normal pattern."

"Were you sleeping with her?" Josef asked.

Ryan glanced briefly at Candice then back to Josef and nodded. "Not at first. She tried to but it was more like she thought I expected it because I helped her. I told her that's not who I am. But while we were moving around sometimes sharing a freezer…things happen. We had needs, that's it."

"So you didn't fall in love with her?" Josef asked needed to know if he could trust he wasn't a diversion.

Ryan shook his head, "I can't love her."

Josef was silent for a moment judging his words before he nodded. "Love her or not you realize when we capture her and we will with or without you she isn't going to go back to playing house with you."

"I don't care what happens to her." He shrugged, "I don't have high hopes for myself after finding her and I accept that."

Josef nodded to Devon who moved forward and set down the briefcase he'd been holding. Before opening it he put on a pair of leather gloves then took out what looked like a small collar. "While you help locate Coraline you will have at least one guard on you at all times. If you so much as attempt to flee or anyone here thinks you are playing us you will pray for the tar pits."

"I do not want to run."

"Yes but just to be safe you'll be wearing this." Devon moved to Ryan's left leg and pulled his pants leg up so he could attach the tracker. "It's an ankle monitor. Consider it a leash. I think this is a much more lenient method but if you try to take it off you will regret it."

Ryan nodded his compliance. Devon moved to the silver laced cuffs and took them off slipping them back in the bag and pulling off the gloves as well. Shutting the briefcase he stood up and handed it off to another guard.

"No let's find her fast."

To Be Continued…

Evilous