Page 15 of Corrupted Tyrant

Laughing, I swat at his chest. “Flatterer. You just want in my pants.”

His eyes flair wide in shock, then his grin turns wicked, his eyes flashing with heat. “Uh…” is his answer, but he doesn’t deny it, and by the look in his eyes, he’s imagining every filthy thing he’d like to do to me.

He straightens and looks around as though he’s suddenly remembering we’re in public.

“Do you need to sign autographs or something?” He’s all business. “Or can I get you out of here before you’re mobbed by your fans?”

Chapter Ten

Courage

It’s so early in the morning there’s still a chill in the air. Candy’s curled up in the passenger seat of our rental van, her head leaning against the window as she dozes. She looks so peaceful like this, the morning light casting a gentle glow on her delicate features.

Last night was… fuck, I don’t even have the words. Watching Candy on that stage, baring her soul to the world with such raw, unflinching honesty? It was a privilege. An honor. And the way she looked at me afterward, her eyes shining with joy and vulnerability and trust?

I knew right then that I would kill for this woman. Die for her. Anything to keep her safe, to protect the precious, unbreakable spirit that shines so bright it’s almost blinding.

I’m so lost in my thoughts I almost miss the turnoff for our first stop of the day. A grin tugs at my lips as I ease the van onto the exit ramp. Candy’s going to fucking love this.

“Miss Woods.” I use the voice that suck-up waitstaff use when trying to get her attention. When she doesn’t stir right away, I have to order myself not to comb my fingers through her shock of pink hair. “Might I interest the world-famous rock star in a little surprise?”

She stirs, blinking up at me with bleary eyes. “Mmm, wha’? Are you finally going to tell me why you rousted me out of bed and on the road before the butt crack of dawn?”

“We’re just outside Pittsburgh. This place has Candy Wood’s name written all over it. Frankly, I’m surprised it wasn’t on your itinerary.” I nod toward the sign looming ahead of us, my grin widening. “Welcome to Trundle’s Odditorium and Emporium of the Bizarre. Home of the world’s largest collection of taxidermied fruit.”

“Taxidermied… fruit?” Candy pushes herself upright, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Then she catches sight of the massive, garishly painted building, and her face lights up like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. “Holy shit, is that a thirty-foot statue of a jackalope made out of Pez dispensers?”

I chuckle, pulling into the nearly deserted parking lot. “You’re not the only one who can find weird places to visit. I thought you might appreciate the sheer balls-out weirdness of this place.”

“Appreciate it? I want to live here!” She practically vibrates with excitement, her fingers fumbling with her seatbelt. “Come on, what are you waiting for? Let’s go bask in the glorious absurdity!”

And bask we do. We spend the next two hours wandering through room after room of the most delightfully strange, utterly pointless oddities I’ve ever seen. Candy flits from exhibit to exhibit like a hummingbird on crack, her laughter ringing out bright and clear as she discovers each new marvel.

“Courage, look! It’s a life-size sculpture of a T-Rex made entirely out of used chewing gum!”

“Holy hell, is that a replica of the Mona Lisa painted with condiments? Ketchup and mustard and… is that relish?”

“Oh my god, oh my god, an animatronic jazz band of taxidermied squirrels. I can die happy now.”

Watching her, I feel a warmth bloom in my chest that has nothing to do with the stuffy, recirculated air of the Odditorium. It’s joy, pure and simple. Joy at seeing her so carefree, so utterly enchanted by the wildly weird world we’ve stumbled into.

After everything she’s been through, all the darkness and the pain and the struggle… fuck, she deserves this. Deserves to laugh and play and marvel at the sheer, ridiculous wonder of it all.

“Courage, come look at this!” Candy’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, her hand tugging insistently at my arm.

I allow her to drag me over to a display case filled with what appears to be a miniature circus, complete with a big top tent and tiny, intricately carved performers. But upon closer inspection, I realize with a jolt that the “performers” are actually…

“Mice.” Candy’s nose wrinkles in a way that shouldn’t be nearly as adorable as it is. “Taxidermied mice dressed up like circus acts. That’s… both incredibly disturbing and weirdly fascinating.”

I can’t help but chuckle at her expression, equal parts revulsion and reluctant intrigue. “Welcome to the world of novelty taxidermy. Where no critter is safe from being posthumously posed in amusing costumes.”

She shudders, but there’s a sparkle of mirth in her eyes as she leans into my side. “You know, when I suggested this road trip, I was thinking more along the lines of kitschy diners and weird roadside attractions. Not dead animals masquerading as entertainers.”

I wrap an arm around her shoulders and use all my self-control to keep from pressing a kiss to her temple. “Ah, but where’s the fun in the expected? Besides, I thought you liked a little mystery and adventure.”

She tilts her head back to look at me, her smile soft and warm. “With you, Courage? Always.”

Something in my chest tightens at her words, at the open affection and trust shining in her eyes. I still can’t quite believe that this incredible woman accepts me, that she sees past the fangs and the claws and the cynical exterior.

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