Chapter 31: Located

Coop moved back from the computer with a resounding cheer. "I found the van."

David was breathing down his neck in less than a second. "Where?"

"According to the tracking data it went straight from the Westwood to this place no stops and hasn't left since." Coop was bringing the location up on the larger map and trying to find a place nearby that would have cameras but didn't find anything.

"Let's go," David grabbed the print out and was headed to the door when Josef intercepted him.

"Hold on David let's get go about this the smart way." Josef intercepted.

David took a deep breath and stepped back, "We have to hurry."

"We will. First let's call our forces in. We need to have exits covered so they don't sneak her out the back." Josef walked back to the table.

Allie came in just in time. "Hey I hear you have a sick girl."

Mick walks up to her and quickly takes her up to the room, filling her in on the new development. Inside the room Allie moves over to Kayla and begins to exam her letting Beth slip out. "We have a location on Candice."

"Now?" Beth looked back into the room with Kayla mumbling how she doesn't feel good.

"Beth I know you want to come but with Coraline involved…"

Beth nodded. "I get it. I don't like waiting behind but you need to focus on getting Candice out of there. If I'm there you'd be more focused on me. Besides Kayla needs me."

Mick pulled her in for a quick kiss and pulled back. "I know she's sick but we need to take her to the loft. It's easier to secure and we have the panic room."

"I'll get her ready to go." Beth disappeared back inside with her sick angel.

When Mick returned downstairs they had just figured out the best strategy for their rescue. They found the most likely places Candice would be held.

"Beth's staying behind with Kayla. I'm going to send them to the loft with a handful of guards."

Josef nodded, "Jean is at work and safe there. Same for Danielle and the boys, the rest of the men go with us. This place is has lots of exit points so we'll have to spread out to cover them all."

Allie came down the stairs and headed towards the others. "I'm coming with you." Everyone turned towards her, "Look she's been held captive we don't know what shape she'll be in. Josef I'm raiding your supply for a go bag."

"We leave in 10."

Candice held the knife firmly in her hand waiting for something to happen but Coraline just stepped outside the door and shut it. She looked to Ryan holding the knife, "Am I the only one that thinks it's weird that she gave us a knife?"

"I was thinking the same thing. She said her plan was coming together. Maybe her last game is to give us a weapon and see if we can figure a way out, which would probably be a trap." Ryan spit balled the first idea he thought of.

Candice sat down once again keeping hold of the knife. "I've been looking but I haven't found any weak point. Knife or no knife."

Ryan paced for another minute then sat down in his usual spot unable to think of anything else. Candice looked at his ankle and moved closer squatting down the shirt covering down to her knees. "We mid as well use it to cut this stupid thing off."

He adjusted his leg and watched as she slid the knifes blade under the strap, the sharp edge pointing upward. "You know you shouldn't cut towards yourself."

Candice looked up at him and rolled her eyes, "Yes because cutting downward would work out so much better." She started to slide the edge back and forth as looked up at him smirking, "Besides I know how to use a knife."

As the words left her mouth the blade sliced through the anklet and a large spurt of liquid silver burst forward like a dye packs in stolen money. Candice dropped the knife and fell back to the sound of screams. Part of her realized they were her screams. Her hands , forearms, and lower legs felt like they were burning off. The searing pain racing through her whole body was unbearable.

Ryan saw the silver hit Candice before he felt it ooze through his jeans. He was on his feet quickly moving to Candice's side taking inventory trying to see how bad the damage was. He quickly pulled her body up and pulled the shirt over her head and used it to wipe as much of the silver from her exposed skin as possible. His own leg was beginning to burn and he had to quickly stand and shed his own jeans before moving back to Candice's side.

"Candice, stay with me." He begged. She was still shaking and crying out.

Rage flooded through him as he stood up and banged his hand on the door. "Coraline you bitch." He shouted.

The door handle moved but didn't open but a crack, "Throw the knife out and we'll converse like civilized people."

He needed to do whatever she wanted to get Candice help. That amount of silver with lack of blood was not good. Using his jeans he quickly picked up the blade and tossed it to the doors edge. A gloved hand reached in and pulled it out before the door opened wider.

Ryan stood there seething as Coraline watched from behind two men. "You did this. Damn you. Why did you need to hurt her?"

"I wasn't 100% what would happen. I figured Josef booby trapped it. I have to say I wasn't expecting liquid silver but I'm impressed."

"What do you want?" He growled.

"Me? You know what I want sweetie and I'm just about ready to go collect thanks to the two of you. See I knew they would track the van we used to bring you here. They are working out a rescue mission right now I wager with all the men showing up. They should be headed this way soon enough and while they are busy rescuing you two my prize will be easy pickings."

Candice had stopped screaming and could hear the crazy ramblings over the pain. "Mick…will…come…with…them."

"I'm sure he will. Your bestie will too I'm sure. Sadly I won't get to kill her but I will take everything she stole back. Mick will come to me willingly. I'm going to make us the family we deserve."

"You're going after their kid," Ryan pieced it together.

"NO!" Coraline snapped. "Our child."

"Then why hurt Candice? She has nothing to do with this. Give her blood, a shower."

"This wasn't planned but it worked out perfectly. I needed your anklet off but I wasn't going to risk a booby trap. With any luck dear David will be the one to rush in and find you practically naked with his mate in near undress herself withering in pain. He'll kill you blinded by rage thinking you hurt her. I'll be long gone before they realize what happened."

"She might die, at least save her."

Coraline smirked, "You really do love her." Her cell phone rang and she pulled it to her ear for a moment then hung up. "I'd love to stay and chat but my man watching them says the rescue team is moving out."

After the door closes Ryan begins to bang on the door screaming and growling for her to die. After a moment the door opens just enough for a half full water bottle to be tossed inside, "Don't say I never gave you anything gorgeous."

To Be Continued…

Evilous