Page 38 of Cannon

“You need me to stay and help you finish up?” Nori asked, already knowing the answer.

“Nah, I’m good. You know I like to close out the night by myself.”

It was true. I’d always preferred to handle the end-of-night routine alone, counting the money, reviewing the books, making sure everything was locked down tight. But tonight, the thought of being alone with my thoughts and that fucking note made my skin crawl.

Still, I couldn’t tell her about it. Couldn’t drag Nori into whatever mess I’d created. Because this wasn’t just about me anymore. If someone knew what I’d done, if they had proof, it wouldn’t just be my life on the line. It would be ZaZa’s future, the club, everything I’d built from the ashes of my mistakes.

Some secrets were too dangerous to share, even with your best friend.

“Alright, girl. But call me if you need anything.” Nori headed for the door, then paused. “And Queen? Whatever’s really bothering you, and don’t tell me it’s just Cannon putting his hands on your throat, you know I got your back, right?”

The sincerity in her voice almost broke me. Almost made me pull that note out and show her exactly what was eating me alive. But I swallowed the urge and forced a smile.

“I know. I’m straight, though.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she nodded anyway. “Okay. Lock up behind me.”

The sound of her heels clicking down the stairs felt like the last thread of normalcy leaving with her. Now it was just me, my thoughts, and the weight of that note burning a hole in my purse.

By the time I finally locked up, it was past three in the morning. I pushed through the back door into the alley, and the summer heat hit me like a slap. Even at this hour, the air was thick and sticky, carrying the smell of garbage that had been baking in dumpsters all day, stale beer from the bar next door, and that distinctive city funk that never quite went away.

My heels clicked against the wet concrete, each step echoing off the walls and coming back to me like whispers. I kept my head up, eyes scanning, but the darkness felt alive. Like it was watching me back.

That’s when I saw him.

Javi was leaning against his unmarked Crown Vic about halfway down the alley, arms crossed, looking like he’d been waiting there for a while. The car was dark blue, deliberately forgettable, but I’d know that silhouette anywhere. Even in the dim light, I could make out his familiar stance. That cop posture that screamed authority even when he was trying to look casual.

My blood ran cold.

“For what?” I called out before he could even open his mouth.

He pushed off the car, hands raised in that fake peaceful gesture cops loved to use. “Queen, relax. I just wanted to make sure you got home safe.”

“Since when?” I stopped walking, keeping distance between us. The keys bit into my palm where I was gripping them. “You ain’t been worried about my safety in years.”

“Things are different now.”

“What things?”

“I been thinking about what you said earlier. About ZaZa. About us doing better.”

I almost laughed. “So you decided to lurk in an alley like some creep?”

“I was driving by, saw your car still here. Figured you’d be getting out soon.” His voice had that smooth quality it got when he was trying to convince me of something. “Look, it’s late, you’re tired. Let me follow you home. Make sure you get there in one piece.”

Every instinct I had was screaming at me to tell him to fuck off and walk away. Javi showing up out of nowhere, wanting to play protector, felt too convenient. Too suspicious. Especially on a night when I was already paranoid about notes and threats and people watching my every move.

But the truth was, I was scared. The alley felt too dark, too quiet, and the thought of driving home alone with all this fear eating at me made my chest tight.

“Why?” I asked, studying his face for tells. ”What’s really going on?”

“Nothing’s going on. I’m just trying to do right by you for once. And I want to talk about ZaZa.”

“Whatever…” I said, motioning him along.

I hated myself for letting him follow me home. Hated myself even more for opening the door to my apartment and stepping aside so he could walk in like he still belonged in my space.

But here we were.