Page 8 of Cannon (King Family Saga #3)

Queen

I didn’t remember driving to Sylk Road. My body did what my brain couldn’t. It took over, put the key in the ignition, turned corners, obeyed lights. But my mind? That was still stuck in that damn psych ward. In the sound of ZaZa’s voice when she spit at me. The way I almost slapped her.

The club was empty when I walked in. We weren’t open during the day unlike some other clubs. Having restricted access maintains the illusion of scarcity.

I climbed the stairs to my office and sank into the black velvet chair behind my desk.

This was my peace. My fortress. Obsidian walls. Gold accents. Velvet and marble. Everything in this room was designed to feel expensive, controlled, untouchable. A fantasy I paid for in blood, sweat, and every tear I never cried in public.

But today it felt hollow.

I opened my laptop and pulled up the financials. I had some utilities to pay, and payroll to complete. I didn’t feel like working since I was so exhausted from the previous night.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I wondered if ZaZa had eaten. If the nurses were being gentle. If the drugs they pumped into her made her feel like a stranger in her own body.

I hated myself for not knowing.

I took a break from work and reapplied my make-up. I didn’t want Cannon to see me looking at my worst. Why should I care? He was going to be my employee, nothing more.

As my mind drifted to thoughts of what he might look like naked, I heard two soft knocks.

Only one person knocked like that.

“Come in,” I said, without looking up.

The door flew open.

“Bitch, have you eaten?”

My best friend, Nori,burst through the door. Nori had a light caramel complexion and sported long blond goddess knotless braids down her back.

“Your hair looks cute,” I complimented.

“That’s not what I asked you,” she teased.

“Of course I haven’t eaten. I’m too stressed to eat.”

She plopped a brown paper bag onto my desk. “Grilled salmon, brown rice and kale. From that bougie-ass spot you like over on Lenox.”

I stared at the bag. “I don’t want it.”

“But you’re gonna eat it. Dealing with ZaZa cannot have you losing weight and your hair again.”

I shook my head while laughing. Nori had been with me through the ups and downs of dealing with my daughter more than my ex-husband had.

“Okay, mom.”

“That’s right baby. Now eat, or I’mma climb across this desk and feed it to you like a damn toddler.”

I pulled the bag toward me. The food smelled good, even if my appetite hadn’t caught up to my body yet.

Nori watched me for a second. Her tone softened. “You good?”

“No.”

She nodded, like she already knew. “How’s ZaZa?”

“She spit on me.” I said it like I was confessing to murder.

Nori’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Yeah. I walked in that hospital room and she was strapped down, talking crazy. Then she hocked one and boom… right on my cheek.”

Nori blinked. “Oh hell no. Did you beat her ass?”

“I almost did.” I shook my head, shamed by how natural it felt to raise my hand.

“It was like… something took over. Then I caught myself.”

“She lucky,” Nori said, sucking her teeth. “Let my child spit on me, psychiatric hold or not…”

“Trust me, I wanted to but that would’ve made things worse. I need to make sure she can trust me. I don’t judge her for her behavior when she’s in a state.”

“You better than me. But enough of your problem child. I see you fired Darius.”

“I had to. He was terrible. He was afraid to do his damn job. And then he flirted with the girls. It makes them uncomfortable to have security trying to get them to go home with them.”

“Oh, I ain’t mad at you. Let his trifling ass go. So, you need a new head of security?”

“Yeah, I have a guy coming by today. I’m going to see if he’ll be a good fit.”

“What’s that look in your eye?” she asked.

“What look?”

“When you mentioned this mystery guy, your eyes caught a spark. You want him? You like him? Is he fine?”

“Nori, stop. There was no spark and he’s just someone I think would be a good fit,” I said remembering how he handled that bartender with no fear.

Nori leaned back, picking at the salad she brought for herself. “Sure… Anyway let me tell you what happened with Phil.”

“Lord,” I groaned. “Not that grandpa you’re running around with.”

“Yes, bitch,” she grinned. “You know I like older men, right? I figure if I’m gon’ deal with some bullshit, at least let it come with a pension.”

“Smart, I guess.” I shook my head.

“Don’t be like that. I like him.”

“So what’s the problem?” I asked.

“His dick don’t work.”

I choked on a laugh. “What?”

“He can’t get hard. We spent all night, last night with him trying to stuff it inside of me. It was so gross. Like trying to stuff a sausage…”

“Tell him to get a blue pill,” I said between laughs.

“He can’t. Heart condition. Doctor said Viagra might kill him.”

“Damn.”

“Exactly. So now I’m stuck playing house with a man who’s got stocks, bonds, beachfront property—and a damn noodle for a dick.”

“Is it worth it?”

She shrugged. “Depends on how long I can go without good dick before I lose my mind or start texting my toxic ex.”

I leaned back, still laughing. For the first time since I left that hospital, the knot in my chest had loosened.

Nori was the only person who could do that. Make me laugh while my world was falling apart. Make me feel normal when everything else felt like war.

“And what about you? You still on your second virginity?” she asked.

“I don’t have time for men. Between the business and ZaZa, I just don’t have it.”

“Bitch, it’s been over five years since you and Javi got divorced. You haven’t entertained anyone since then.”

“And I’m not about to,” I smirked.

The office door creaked open again, and this time the air shifted.

In walked Cannon.

Damn.

He was even taller than I remembered. Broader too. He was built like he was carved, not born. Now that I could see him in the light, he wasn’t just fine, he was devastating. He looked like sin wrapped in skin and muscle. He was the type that made you do stupid shit.

He’s those men your mother warns you about. He needed to exit my club a.s.a.p.

His scent hit me before he even got close. Something clean, masculine, with a hint of danger. It crawled up my spine and settled between my thighs. My pussy pulsed like it was waking up from a coma.

It’s been five years since Javi, and even that was just duty, cold, forgettable, married sex. This? This was something else. My body knew it before my brain could catch up. I hadn’t felt like this… ever.

And that was a problem.

I couldn’t have this kind of energy in my club. I didn’t do distractions. And this man already had me unsteady and we hadn’t even spoken yet.

He wore a crisp white T-shirt that clung to every sculpted ridge of his chest. Camo fatigue pants hung low, and the Timberlands on his feet were worn but clean. Tattoos Smoked down his thick arms and around his neck. His whole presence screamed control, fire, and power.

And then there were his eyes.

Aqua blue. Piercing. Focused.

They locked on me and didn’t move. They were steady and unbothered. Like he’d seen a hundred women like me but still wanted to study me anyway.

And right then, I knew.

Cannon wasn’t just here for the job.

He was going to be trouble.

“Damn,” I muttered under my breath.

Nori followed my gaze, her mouth twitching. “Oh, I’ll catch you later.” She grabbed her salad, winked at me, and slid past Cannon on her way out, barely resisting the urge to slap his ass on principle. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Security.”

Once the door clicked shut behind her, silence filled the room.

Cannon didn’t speak at first. He just watched me, waiting for permission to come closer. That already told me something. He wasn’t just muscle. He had patience. Discipline.

“Have a seat,” I said, clearing my throat.

He stepped forward, calm and deliberate. Sat across from me like he was settling in at a poker table. His eyes scanned the room, then locked on mine again.

“I appreciate you seeing me.”

I crossed one leg over the other, forcing my expression into neutral. “Tell me about your experience.”

“Worked five years for a private firm,” he said, voice low, gravel-slick. “Did club security, personal detail, asset protection. I know how to be invisible until I need to be seen.”

My thighs clenched as I shifted in my chair.

“Where did you last work?”

“I’m not gonna lie to you. I just finished a five-year bid. But have some good references.”

And there it was. He was a convict. No thank you. Why am I lying to myself?

“Email them to me.”

“Aight. I can come tonight to see how your operation is set up.“

That quick? That confident? I hated how much that turned me on. I wanted to tell him no and to get out of my club.

“That works,” I said, smoothing my palms down the arms of my chair. “I’ll verify your references and then I’ll let you know if you should come tonight.”

His gaze lingered on me for a second too long. And I felt it. In my chest. In my stomach. Between my damn legs.

I stood. “Look, I have work to do.”

He got up too, slow and solid. Towering. His scent followed, wafting over me.

“You need anything,” he said, “I’m here.”

I nodded, eyes skimming down his frame before I caught myself. “I’m sure you are.”

He left without another word. The second he was gone, I dropped back into my chair and exhaled. My panties were wet.

What the hell is wrong with me?

It’s been almost five years, that’s what.

Still, I wasn’t that down bad. I had a business to run. A daughter to worry about. And now I might have a man like Cannon working under me.

I shook the thought from my head, but it didn’t go anywhere. It just simmered under the surface like the start of a fire.

He was gonna be a problem.

A beautiful, hard-bodied, firm-jawed problem.

And I wasn’t ready.