Page 22 of Corrupted Tyrant

“You’re not hiding anymore.” He pushes off the doorframe and comes to sit beside me, the mattress dipping under his weight. “You’re letting your true self shine through. People are responding to that.”

I sit up, tucking my legs beneath me as I turn to face him. “You’ve helped, Courage. There’s something about having you at my side that’s given me more…” I giggle and toss my hand in the air, “more courage. I couldn’t have done it without you. Your support, your belief in me… it means a lot.”

He reaches out, running his knuckles along my jaw. His touch lingers, warmth radiating through me. “You did this, Candy. This is all you.”

The air between us is charged with something unspoken. But before I can act on the impulse to lean in and close the distance between us, my phone chimes with an incoming text.

I grab it from the nightstand, my brow furrowing as I read the message. “It’s Maury. He wants me to do at least one TV interview. Says the buzz around the tour is too good to pass up.”

Courage leans over, reading the text over my shoulder. “The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight. Those are some big names.”

I scrape my bottom lip between my teeth, a familiar knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. “I don’t know. After everything that’s happened, the thought of putting myself out there like that… A hard-hitting interview is different from being in front a bunch of adoring fans.”

He takes my hand, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my palm. “Hey, you don’t have to decide anything right now. Why don’t we talk through the pros and cons?”

I nod, grateful for his steady presence. “Okay, let’s start with Entertainment Tonight. They’ve covered my career from the beginning, so they know my story.”

“True, but they also tend to focus more on the gossip and scandal side of things.” Courage’s brow furrows in thought. “They might try to steer the conversation toward your past… missteps.”

I wince, remembering the countless tabloid headlines and paparazzi shots that have dogged me over the years, especially the “X-rated exit” issue. “Yeah, I’m not sure I’m ready to rehash all that on national TV.”

“What about The Today Show?” He squeezes my hand, his gaze steady and reassuring. “They have a reputation for more serious journalism.”

“And they reach a wider audience,” I muse, warming to the idea. “It could be a chance to reintroduce myself, to show people the new Candy Wood.”

Courage nods, his brilliant blue eyes shining. “The real Candy Wood. The one who’s brave and talented and has something important to say.”

Tears well in my eyes, his words hitting me right in the heart. “I don’t feel brave. I feel scared. What if they ask pressing questions about Raskins and KEN? I’m not ready for that. Besides, there’s someone who doesn’t want me to go public. This might piss them off and cause the threats to increase—or worse.”

Courage pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly, burying my face in the crook of his neck. He smells like clean air, safety, and home. “You don’t have to do anything, Candy. You’ve written some amazing new songs and have retooled some old ones. You’re touring the country. That’s enough. Tell Maury you’re still thinking about it.” He presses his lips to the top of my head. “Just remember, you don’t have to face this alone. I’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.”

I let his strength seep into me, burrowing under my skin. “Promise?”

“Promise.” He hugs me tight and I feel something unfurl in my chest. Something warm and bright and full of hope.

Chapter Sixteen

Courage

“Viva Las Vegas!” Candy shimmies her shoulders as we approach the gates of Graceland. Her eyes dance with excitement, her pink hair a vibrant contrast to the greenery. “Or should I say, Viva Memphis?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “I think that’s a different Elvis tune, rock star. This is more ‘Welcome to My World.’”

“Ooh, nice one.” She grins as we exit the car and head toward the ticket booth, her hips swaying. “Maybe the tour guides will be ‘All Shook Up’ by my vast Elvis knowledge.”

I snort. “Or maybe they’ll tell you ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ with your crappy song puns.”

Candy laughs brightly, the sound a welcome change from the tension that’s been hounding us lately. But today, with no concert or blackmail threats looming, it feels as though we can finally just say ‘That’s All Right’.

“Well, even though you make fun of my crappy song puns, I bet you’d rock a rhinestone jumpsuit.” She gives me the once-over and, in case I missed her ogling, she waggles her eyebrows at me. “‘A Big Hunk O’ Love’ like you? Wide shoulders, slim hips, they’d have to custom make one to fit.”

“Careful, or this hunk might have a ‘Suspicious Mind’ about your intentions,” I quip back, flexing my biceps for her benefit.

She winks. “I’m just sayin’, you could give the King some competition in that getup. ‘C’mon Everybody,’ let’s go see the Jungle Room!”

She waves a dismissive hand, her bracelets jangling. “The point is, we’re about to enter the hallowed halls of the King himself. Can you feel the excitement in the air?”

I take an exaggerated sniff, my nose twitching. “Smells more like hairspray and fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches to me.”

---