Page 13 of Corrupted Tyrant

“Hey man, chill. I was just saying hello to an old friend.”

“Hello, goodbye, and go fuck yourself,” Candy spits, her voice trembling with anger and something else, something more raw. Fear? Disgust? Both?

“We’re done here.” I release Vince’s wrist with a final warning squeeze, gratified by his pained yelp. Then I place a gentle hand on the small of Candy’s back and steer her away from this creep and the staring onlookers.

She’s silent as we walk, her body rigid against mine. I can practically feel the emotions rolling off her—fury, revulsion, and beneath it all, a bone-deep weariness that makes my heart ache.

“Hey.” I pull her to a stop after we round a corner and aren’t on display, and duck my head to catch her gaze. “You okay?”

She takes a shuddering breath, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. “Yeah? No? I don’t know.” She laughs, but it’s a brittle sound, sharp-edged and humorless. “Fucking Vince. I should’ve known he’d show up sooner or later, wagging his dick and trying to stake a claim.”

I growl low in my throat, my blood still singing with the urge to tear that bastard limb from limb. “Who is he? Other than a total scumbag, I mean.”

Candy sighs, rubbing a hand over her face. “He’s a producer. We collaborated on a few tracks back in the day when I was first starting out as a solo artist. But he… wanted more than just a professional partnership.”

Her voice wavers, the implication clear. Rage churns in my gut as I put the pieces together—the arrogant entitlement, the veiled innuendos, the way she shrank from his touch as though it burned.

Fuck. Except for Maury, was everyone in her past a selfish user? How many slimy Vinces left their mark on her, body and soul?

“Candy.” Her name is a raw rasp, my throat tight with emotion. “Did he… did he hurt you?”

Her eyes meet mine, a world of pain and bitter resignation swirling in their depths. “He tried. Let’s just say there’s a reason I always brought a girlfriend with me to the studio.”

Cold fury washes through me as I control my urge to snap my jaws in anger. “I’ll kill him.” The words are low and lethal, a vow and a vendetta. “No one touches you like that. No one.”

To my surprise, Candy laughs—a weak, watery sound. “Down, boy. As much as I appreciate the avenging angel routine, he’s not worth the murder charge.”

She takes my hand, twining our fingers together. “Besides, I’ve got something better than a big bad wolven to protect me these days.”

I frown down at her, confused. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Her smile is small but fierce, a glint of steel beneath the surface. “Me. I’ve got me.”

She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “I’m not that scared little girl anymore, Courage. I’m not the naïve ingénue grasping for any shred of validation. I’m Candy fucking Wood, and I’m done letting the Vince Brewers and the Sam Raskins of the world make me feel small.”

Pride and awe swell in my chest, so strong they steal my breath. Goddess! This female is incredible. A survivor, a warrior. A fucking queen.

“Damn straight you are,” I manage, my voice rough with emotion. “And I’m honored to stand beside you, to remind you of your strength whenever you need it.” I squeeze her hand, holding her gaze. “You’re a badass, Candy. Never forget it.”

We stand there for a long moment, hands clasped, the rest of Randyland fading away until it’s just us, just this connection, this unspoken understanding.

Then Candy takes a deep breath, her smile turning impish. “Now, how about we blow this place and find some trouble to get into? I think we’ve had enough heavy shit for one day.”

I laugh, warmth and affection unfurling in my chest. “Lead the way, rock star. Trouble is my middle name, remember?”

She grins, tugging me toward the exit. “How could I forget? Let’s see, that makes you Courage Romance Trouble Wolven. But, here’s a philosophical question, if there are four names, what’s considered the middle name?”

“Whew.” I shake my head. “That’s enough to make my head explode. We’ll have to answer that question another day.”

As we step into the bustling Pittsburgh street, Candy’s hand warm in mine, her head held high and her eyes bright with mischief, I feel something click into place deep in my chest.

I’m in trouble, all right. The best and worst kind.

But as long as I’m with this woman? This fierce, funny, unbreakable woman who makes me feel alive in ways I never knew possible? I’m going to hang on for the ride, no matter how bumpy.

Chapter Nine

Candy

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