Chapter 30: What If

Candice wakes from her brief rest and looks up. She had moved next to Ryan and fallen asleep on his shoulder after one of the men had come to the door taunting about how when Coraline was finished with her he was going to have his own fun. Somehow after that she still found herself able to sleep.

"How long was I out?"

"I don't know at least a few hours. How are you feeling?" He asked looking her over for signs of weakness.

She gave a sigh and rubbed her jaw, "I'm hungry again. How about you? Are you…in control?"

"I am. You're probably hungrier than me because you've never had to live without for too long. David has made sure you are taken care of."

Candice nods, "He always takes care of me." A smile warms her face as she thinks about how he would bring her a glass of blood when she was busy working and not stop to have a meal.

"That's good." Ryan reached down and rubbed his tracker through his jeans. "This damn thing is really annoying."

Candice stood up stretching out her legs making sure to keep the shirt pulled down. "Have you tried putting it on the outside of your jeans?" She suggests.

"Hadn't thought of it," he moves and begins slowly scrunching the material under the anklet until it rests over his jeans. Moving his leg around he shrugs, "About the same really."

Candice paces in the small room but then grows restless and settles back down in her usual spot facing Ryan. As she sits she tucks her legs under the T-shirt as well, "What do you think Coraline is up to? Shouldn't she have been back by now?"

"I have no idea but lets hope she stays busy for a while."

Candice nods and leans her head back closing her eyes. Her thoughts drift to David and how he is probably not taking very good care of himself worried about her. Hopefully the others will make sure he feeds.

When Ryan had first showed up back in town Candice had wanted to talk to him alone. To ask him things but didn't know how to say them and now here they were trapped together and she still didn't have the words.

"Candice?" Her head falls forward as her eyes find his. "I've always wanted to ask you something but…"

She laughs. "But you don't know how?" He nods. "I know the feeling. Go ahead and ask me whatever it is. I'm not going anywhere."

"I know you love David. I understand that but I have always wondered if you could have seen yourself with me. Before David. When you were single and still in school. Could you have seen a future with me if I had been able to man up and ask you out?"

"I don't know. Life is full of what if's. I can't imagine my life without David, it seems completely impossible." Seeing he had been expecting that answer she continues. "Look no one can know what would have happened but I know I always thought you were a great guy. You're handsome, smart, sweet and I remember you were a good bite too. Would that have lead to something more…I don't know."

Ryan nods, "Thank you for your honesty."

"I meant it. You are a good guy…well minus the whole helping the crazy bitch escape and staking the man I love part anyways." She grins trying to make a joke and lighten the mood.

"Considering we wouldn't be trapped here right now if I hadn't done that I don't know if I'm such a good guy."

Candice looks over at him and sighs, "Do you really think you would have done something to hurt David or me?"

Running his hand through his messy hair and over his face he shrugs. "I don't know anymore. I know it was hard to be around David sometimes. Knowing he had you. I love David like a brother and I wanted nothing but happiness for you both but…I felt cheated somehow. It's stupid I know. I just I didn't act and watched him step up and take what I wanted. I hated the way I felt all the time. I was jealous."

He looked over her face seeing if this was making any sense to her. "Then with Coraline and Mick. Their twisted history and how much she loved him. I loved you too, I guess I thought if she snapped then maybe if I didn't get away I might too. I never wanted to cause as much trouble for you two as she did for Mick and Beth. I thought it best to leave."

He chuckled, "Hell I thought things had changed. I really did think she had moved on from Mick."

The door handle scratches the surface and swings open. They both stand up quickly Ryan reaching out and pulling Candice behind him in one smooth move.

Coraline steps inside the cell with her men behind just behind her as usual. "Well well aren't we having a heart to heart." She looked them over, Ryan shirtless and Candice wearing it. "You know I was trying to move forward but you wouldn't let me. We'd still be in Chicago but no you were all talk about moving on you never let go."

"How can this be his fault?" Candice asked irritated.

Coraline sick smile widens as she looks over her shoulder to her guards. "Still have that fire in you I see. I do apologize I would have been back to check on you sooner but your dance aroused more than just Ryan here. I spent hours enjoying the effect she started."

"Good for you," Candice said dryly. "Now what do you want? To blame Ryan for your psycho behavior."

"I like to think of it as determined. Taking back what was mine."

"You can't own a person."

Ryan put his arm out to keep Candice from stepping forward. "What happened in Chicago Coraline? Why did you leave?"

"You really don't know?" She laughs. "I was trying. I thought we had something special you and I. Then I find out that the whole time you were preaching to me about moving on and not looking back was a lie. You never stopped. You kept track of everyone here, especially her." Coraline pointed a well manicured finger at Candice.

"I couldn't help myself. I read the files you kept on your computer and guess what I found. Mick has a child. My Mick who turned against me when I tried to make us a family with a little girl."

"Big difference from what you wanted," Candice shot out. "She'll grow up with a loving family. You wanted to turn a child so you'd always have one. That's sick."

Smirking she looks down at Ryan's leg. "Not for you to worry. You see our time for playing is over. My plans have come together."

She reaches behind her back and pulls out a small knife. Ryan pushes Candice behind him ready to attack Coraline before she can hurt Candice. "How sweet. Don't worry I'm not going to cut you up. I just thought you might want that taken off."

She holds the knife by the blade handle out. Ryan slowly reaches for it but she pulls back, "I think not. I know how skilled you are with a knife. Wouldn't want you to get any ideas."

Candice moves forward unsure. Her mind races over possible explanations as to why Coraline would willingly give them a knife. She had to know they wouldn't give it back. She couldn't care about Ryan's comfort given the cell she'd stuck them in. There had to be a reason she just couldn't see it. Reaching out she slowly gripped the knifes blade and Coraline stepped back.

To Be Continued…

Evilous