Page 14 of Cannon (King Family Saga #3)

Cannon

“You know you don’t have to live in that small apartment,” Reese said to me as I prepared to leave out for the night. Tonight I’d be working at Sylk Road and sleeping in my new spot. I ain’t have much in there yet, just an air mattress and a few necessities. All things in due time.

“We already went through this. I need to be in the city for work and I can’t be laid up under another nigga’s roof. If you need anything, I’m a call away.”

“At least take my car,” she replied.

My chest tightened. I hated needing anyone for anything but I did need a whip until I got my first paycheck. Then I’d quickly get a ride.

She must’ve noticed my reluctant stance because she followed up with, “Please. You don’t have to do all of this alone. You’ve always been the one to take care of me. Let me take care of you.”

“Just until I get paid.”

“Fine, whatever.”

“If you need anything hit me up,” I said as I headed towards the door.

About an hour later, I arrived at the Sylk Road. Luckily there was parking on the block. Despite this being the city that doesn’t sleep, it did slow down enough for me to park.

It was 8:00 PM but the doors didn’t open until 9:00.

I wanted to get in early, to scope the place out.

When I walked in, I marched upstairs to speak to her.

I could smell the scent of her essence smoldering around the corner.

I briskly shook my head. I didn’t need to be thinking of her like this. She was my boss.

That alone was insane to me. I had a fuckin’ boss and it was a woman.

This shit had to be temporary. But there was something about knowing I was protecting a woman like that made me feel like I had a purpose.

She gave me the vibe that she’s always had to look out for herself and I hated that for her. She deserved a soft life.

“Sup,” I called out to her when I tapped the door.

“Oh, hey,” she replied flatly while waving me in, but she never lifted her head.

Something was off. She felt weird. Who the fuck did something to her?

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“You lyin’.”

“Just business. I’m fine.”

She was still lying but I wasn’t going to press too hard.

“Aight, well if you need me I’ll be downstairs.”

“I know you will,” she smirked. I headed downstairs and did a security sweep.

Everything was fine so far. And before I knew it the night was beginning.

Dancers came in through the back way. All of them reintroducing themselves to me. Diamond, Miss Kitty, Champagne Kisses, Jupiter and many more with silly-ass names that were supposed to be enticing. They bitches looked good but none of them held a candle to the owner.

“Excuse me, new guy…” Jupiter crooned. She sucked on a red Blow Pop as she sauntered closer to me.

Jupiter was pretty as fuck, had a pair of large brown eyes that were mesmerizing.

Her fake tits sat up nicely and I could tell she had a BBL but it matched the thighs.

She was def one of those career strippers.

She invested a lot into her look and I’m sure it kept her paid.

“What?” I responded.

“I normally don’t do this…” That’s bitches’ favorite lie. “But, meet me in the champagne room at the end of the night and I’ll give you a free lap dance.”

“I’m good.”

“You won’t be until I spin on that dick, baby,” she leaned in closer. My dick throbbed at her words.

“I don’t want nobody’s sloppy seconds. Even if it is for free. After you done poppin’ yo ass on everyone else, you wanna now throw that shit on me? Get the fuck on,” I barked. Just cuz a woman looked good, it didn’t mean that I was easy.

“Boy whatever,” she said as she threw her hand up and walked away.

The night dragged on, men came in with their boys, a bachelorette party waltzed in, and finally a nigga I did not wanna see. Fuckin’ Smoke.

I wasn’t manning the door, but I kept eyes on it from the cut.

And the second he stepped in, it was like the New Year’s Eve ball had dropped.

Diamonds iced out every finger, a thick Cuban link on his neck, another hanging to his stomach, a wrist stacked with watches like he couldn’t decide on just one.

Rings the size of gumballs caught the light every time he moved his hands.

The nigga had on a mink, in summer. Hood royalty, but tacky with it.

He wanted everyone in the room to know exactly who he was.

Patrons looked up, dancers whispered, and Smoke smiled like he fed off the attention.

The kind of smile that said, Yeah, I’m still that nigga.

But I knew the truth about his empire. After I went away, things slowly began to crumble.

He lived too flashy and a few of his businesses got hemmed up.

Several of his soldiers got sent away. He was running that raggedy empire with his sons. I wanted no part of it.

I cursed under my breath. Last thing I needed tonight was him.

Sure enough, he clocked me, grinning wide like he’d just spotted a long-lost brother. He slid through security like it was nothing. Of course, they knew better than to stop him as he swaggered toward me.

“Damn, Cannon,” he greeted. “Nigga couldn’t even hit me up when he touched down? That shit hurt my feelings.”

I stayed still, stone-faced. “I been busy.”

He leaned in closer, smelling like loud cologne and kush. “Busy doing this? You too good for this. You know we gotta chop it up. Meet me in the back.”

“I’m working.”

“That ain’t what I asked,” he said, his voice lowering, less playful now.

I gave him a glare that told him to back down. I may have worked for him but I wasn’t no bitch.

“Nigga, I’m just playin’. Don’t trip. I’ll catch you in the mornin’ then. Our old spot. The diner. After you get off. I got some work for you that’s gonna pay better than this.”

I didn’t answer, just stared.

He smirked, patted me on the chest with one of those gaudy-ass hands. “Good. See you then.”

And just like that, he melted back into the crowd, leaving my jaw tight. I hated that I already knew I’d be at that diner.

The rest of the night went fine. I watched everyone like a hawk, but there was nothing out of place and no one got out of line. It was an easy night.

There was something… or someone missing. Queen hadn’t been downstairs all night and her presence was missed. Ballers asked about her, wanting to just say hi but no one could gain access. It was as if she was hiding from something or someone.

Something about her was eating at me. That look she wore earlier wasn’t just stress; it was weight, heavy enough to press through her polished surface. And for reasons I couldn’t explain, it crawled under my skin. Made me want to step in. Protect. Fix.

But she wasn’t mine to protect. She wasn’t my woman. And I had my own demons clawing for attention.

When the last patron cleared out and the music died, I headed upstairs to check on her before I called it a night.

The glow from her office spilled into the hallway, warm against the dim of the club.

Inside, she wasn’t alone. Nori sat across from her, heels kicked off, a laptop open between them.

Queen had told me Nori sometimes handled her accounting.

From the looks of it, they were knee-deep in numbers, Nori’s sharp tongue probably cutting through Queen’s silence the way only a best friend could.

I knocked on the doorframe, both of them looking up from the screen.

“Everything good?” I asked.

Queen barely glanced at me, her attention snapping right back to the laptop. “Yeah, we’re just paying vendors. Go check the back door now. It doesn’t always latch correctly.”

The dismissal in her tone hit different. Like I was the help. Some nigga she could just wave off. In front of Nori, no less.

“What you say?” My voice came out low, dangerous.

She finally looked up, irritation flashing across her face. “I said go check the back door to make sure it’s secure. That’s your job, right?”

Nori’s eyes widened, sensing the shift in energy. She started to speak but I was already moving.

Three strides and I was at Queen’s desk. My hand found her throat—not rough, but firm enough to make her gasp. I leaned down until my lips brushed her ear, feeling her pulse race under my palm.

“You ever speak to me like that again, especially in front of someone else, and I’ma bend you over this desk and punish you for being so fuckin’ disrespectful,” I growled. “I ain’t one of these weak-ass niggas you used to. You understand me?”

Her mouth opened but no words came out. Those sharp eyes that always had something slick to say were wide, shocked.

Good. The way her breath stopped, the way her body went still under my touch, it did something to me.

Made my dick hard knowing I could make this bossy-ass woman submit with just a touch.

“I said do you understand me?” I spoke a little louder this time.

She cleared her throat and replied, “Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, sir…”

I released her slowly, letting my fingers drag across her skin. “Check your tone with me, Queen.”

Then I turned and walked out, leaving her speechless for probably the first time in her life.

The cool night air hit my face as I exited the club, but it did nothing to calm the fire in my blood. Part of me wanted to go back up there, press her against that desk and show her exactly what happened when she tried to play me like some regular nigga. But I had to maintain.

I slid into Reese’s car, gripping the steering wheel tight. Later I’d have to deal with Smoke and whatever bullshit he was trying to pull me into. But tonight? Tonight all I could think about was the way Queen’s pulse fluttered under my hand, how her tough girl act crumbled with just one touch.

She’d learn. I wasn’t here to be bossed around or dismissed. And something told me she liked that shit, even if she’d never admit it. The way her thighs pressed together when I grabbed her throat didn’t go unnoticed.

I wanted to fuck her and put her in her place. I also wanted to fix whatever the fuck was wrong with her. She was distant all night.

But for now I needed to see what Smoke was talkin’ bout.