Page 100 of Cannon

“Just thought I’d check on my girls,” I heard him say, that smooth charm coating his words like honey. “Where’s your mom?”

“Sleeping, I think. She had a rough night.”

I grabbed my phone, quickly typing a response to Cannon:At home. Just woke up. I’ll call you in a bit.

“I’ll be out in a second!” I yelled, panic surging through me. I couldn’t let Javi see me looking this wrecked.

I dashed to the bathroom, where I washed my face and tamed my hair into a ponytail.

A quick swipe of tinted moisturizer, mascara, and lip gloss, and I looked almost human again. I slipped out of last night’s clothes and into a pair of black leggings and a purple sports bra.

Javi stood in my living room like he owned the place, that familiar cocky stance that used to make me weak but now just made me tired. The bruises from Cannon’s beating were still visible.

“What are you doing here unannounced?” I asked, keeping my voice even despite the irritation building inside me.

ZaZa was hovering nearby, staring at Javi’s face with open curiosity. “Daddy, what happened to your face?”

“Nothing, baby girl. Just a little altercation at work,” he lied smoothly. “Listen, can I talk to your mother alone for a minute?”

ZaZa glanced between us, then shrugged. “Sure. I need to finish getting ready anyway. I got that job interview at the boutique in an hour, and then Marcus and I are hitting up that new restaurant in SoHo.”

I couldn’t resist the jab. “I thought your father was going to hook you up with that receptionist job at his precinct?”

Javi had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. “Still working on it. You know how bureaucracy is.”

“Right,” I said, not bothering to hide my skepticism.

ZaZa rolled her eyes and disappeared down the hallway, leaving me alone with Javi.

As soon as she was gone, Javi’s friendly facade melted away, replaced by a smirk that made my skin crawl. “Heard your club got shut down last night. Overdose on the premises. That’s tough.”

“What do you want, Javi?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Just checking on you. That’s what family does.” His eyes gleamed with malice. “Though I’m guessing it was probably that thug boyfriend of yours selling drugs in your club. Those ex-con types never really change.”

The accusation hit like a slap. “You need to get the hell out of my house. Now.”

“I’m on my way,” he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Just thought you should know your boy’s back in jail. Got arrested last night for beating his sister half to death. Domestic violence. Nasty stuff.”

My blood turned to ice. “You’re lying.”

“I was there for the arrest myself.” His smile widened. “You should get back with a real man, Queen. Someone respectable. Upstanding. Someone who can protect you instead of dragging you down.”

Something snapped inside me. I moved to the bookshelf, reaching behind my collection of Toni Morrison novels where I kept my .380 hidden. The weight of it felt right in my hand as I pointed it directly at Javi’s chest.

“I said get out.”

His eyes widened, but he didn’t move. “You wouldn’t, again.”

“Try me.” My hand was steady, rage making everything crystal clear. “You come into my home spreading lies, trying to manipulate me? I’m done with your games.”

“You pull that trigger, and next time I won’t lie for you,” he hissed, backing toward the door. “I will snitch on you this time. You’ll go to prison, Queen. Think about ZaZa.”

I adjusted my aim slightly to the left and squeezed the trigger. The shot cracked through the apartment, splintering the doorframe inches from his head.

“Jesus Christ!” he yelped, ducking.

“The next one won’t miss,” I promised, my voice deadly calm despite the thunder of my heart. “Stay away from me and my daughter.”