30. Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

C ourage

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."

We allow ourselves one last moment, one final breath of connection. Then she straightens, her mask of cool composure slipping into place.

"Showtime," she says, her voice steady.

Fury and I get out of the vehicle. Candy walks around and slides behind the wheel to drive the last mile and arrive alone as instructed.

She pulls into the park's small, covered parking structure, just as Fury and I take cover behind some large trees on the edge of the lot. The mile run was just what we needed to get our blood pumping. I can smell four human males. Two are nearby, concealed. Two are in the parking lot waiting for my female.

I sense no movement. None of them know Fury and I are here.

"Humans… crappy sense of smell." Fury mouths, then gives me a superior smirk.

We watch as Candy exits the car and walks toward the designated meeting spot, her head held high, her stride purposeful. Everything in me screams to follow her, to stay by her side and protect her from harm, but I tamp the urge down and follow the plan.

The burning rubber smell of Candy's terror spikes my rage, which surges through my body like wildfire. Something is happening. I look over at Fury and see his body change just as I feel my muscles grow larger, my fangs elongate, my claws spring out longer and sharper than ever.

My senses are even more acute than they were a minute ago. Now I can smell the men's aftershave and hear their shoes rustle against the cement.

When I glance at Fury, his face shows the same changes I feel. There's a look of fierce pride on his face.

"We've shifted into our fighting forms." His voice is deeper, a steady growl. "It happened to me a few times back on An'Wa and with Bold when we rescued his mate, Jasmine."

"I heard, but to actually experience it is fucking amazing. It's as though I could battle an army."

As the hidden males move to follow Candy, Fury steps next to me, his eyes tracking her every move. "She's one hell of a female." There's grudging respect in his voice.

"That she is," I agree, my chest tight with terror, knowing she's put herself in harm's way.

"I'm no relationship expert, but you should probably tell her she's your mate." He shrugs, a knowing look on his face.

It's not the time to deny it, or have a heart-to-heart and admit I'm head over heels for her.

We take our positions, hidden from view but with clear sightlines to the meeting spot. Now, all we can do is wait and watch.

And pray to the Goddess that my female comes back to me safe and whole and victorious.