Page 41 of Corrupted Tyrant

I draw in a shaky breath, their words washing over me like a balm, giving me strength. “I couldn’t do it without you,” I whisper, my eyes burning. “Either of you. Knowing you have my back, that I’m not in this alone… it’s the only thing keeping me standing.”

“Always,” Courage rasps, pressing his forehead to my temple. “We’re a team, Candy. A unit. In this together, no matter what.”

“Fuck yeah, we are.” Fury stands, a fierce, feral glint in his eye. “And tonight? We’re gonna show those shitstains what happens when you mess with a female from our pack.”

Wow! Did I just get a promotion? Fury, who looks as though he takes shit from no one, just said I’m one of their pack. The words resonate deep in my gut, a primal chord of belonging, of rightness.

With these two males by my side, I can face anything. Even my darkest demons, my most deep-rooted fears. Because make no bones about it, this meeting is life and death. It’s just that I can’t live the rest of my life in fear. I refuse!

I stand, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. “Alright, guys. Let’s go to war.”

Chapter Thirty

Courage

The hours leading up to the meeting are a blur of preparation and tightly coiled tension. Fury and I work in tandem, assembling the gear, testing the cameras and mics, and running through every possible scenario and contingency.

Candy is a quiet but forceful presence, her jaw set with grim determination as she absorbs every detail, every instruction. I can see the fear in her eyes, the slight tremble in her hands, but she doesn’t flinch, doesn’t falter.

My brave, unbreakable female.

As the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of blood and fire, we gather in the hotel room for a final briefing.

“Remember,” my voice is low, urgent, “the goal is to get them talking, to admit to their crimes on camera. Bait them, provoke them, but don’t engage physically. That’s what we’re here for.”

Candy laughs, completely without mirth. “Like I would challenge a bunch of henchmen to a fight?” Her fingers twist together in her lap. “And if they don’t take the bait? If they’re too smart to incriminate themselves?”

“Then we go to Plan B,” Fury rumbles, his eyes glinting with predatory intent. “With the texts they sent and evidence of this secret meeting, we might have enough to nail them on conspiracy or harassment. It won’t be as airtight as a confession, but it’ll be a start.”

I reach over, covering Candy’s restless hands with my own. “No matter what happens, you’re not alone in this. Just give the signal, and we’ll be there.”

She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. “Okay. Okay, let’s do this.”

We wire her up, the cameras and mics disappearing beneath her clothes and into buttonholes. Fury hands her a small, innocuous-looking pendant.

“Panic button,” he explains gruffly. “You get in over your head, you press this, and we’ll come running.”

Candy slips it around her neck, the weight of it settling against her skin. “Got it.”

I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. “You’re the strongest, bravest person I know.” My voice is rough with emotion. “You’ve survived so much, fought so hard. This is just one more battle, one more fight. And you’re going to win it, Candy. I know you will.”

Her eyes shine with unshed tears, but her smile is fierce, determined. “Damn right I am,” she whispers. “Let’s go kick some ass.”

I know she’s terrified; all of us know this plan could blow up in our faces, despite our planning and best intentions. Still, my female’s back is ramrod straight as she readies herself to walk into hell.

The drive to the park is silent, the air thick with tension. Fury and I will split up once we arrive, hiding in positions to cover as much ground as possible.

As I pull onto a side street about a mile from the park, I turn to face Candy, my heart clenching at the sight of her unbuckling her seatbelt with shaky fingers.

“Hey,” I murmur, then wait until she meets my gaze. I was going to blurt that I love her. But the timing couldn’t be worse. I want her head in the game when this shit goes down. “I’ve got to ask one more time. Want to bail? Tell Broken Starlets to destroy the interview? Back down and guarantee your safety?”

“And here I thought you knew me better than anyone ever has, Courage. You really think I could turn back now?”

That’s my female, an amazing combination of fear and steel. “No. I didn’t think you’d bail, not for a second. But I had to ask.”

She leans over, pressing her forehead against mine. “I’m not the woman I was the day you met me, Courage. I’m strong. I’m ready.”

“Damn right you are.”

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