Page 48 of Cannon

The walls of the office started closing in on me. All those years locked up, planning, waiting, knowing my fortune was safe with Tyran, only to come home to this bullshit. My hands shook as I ripped through the last drawer.

“I think you should leave and I’ll call you if I find anything,” she said as she gripped my arm.

“Aight…” I said as I stormed out.

That wallet needed both of us to open it. I wasn’t worried about her stealing the money but more so worried she might not be able to find it.

Chapter 18

Cannon

I left the funeral with my blood still boiling, gripping the steering wheel of Reese’s car so tight it felt like it might snap. Tyran’s death had robbed me of millions, and now I was stuck chasing ghosts and seed phrases that might never surface. I should go dig his ass up and force him to give me that seed phrase.

But I had a promise to keep.

I pulled up to the elementary school, scanning the crowd of kids pouring out the double doors. Reese had asked me to pick up her boys after the service. She and Gage were both working late. And since I didn’t have to work tonight, I was more than cool with picking up my nephews.

Hunter spotted me first. His little face lit up, and he grabbed his younger brother’s hand, pulling him through the sea of children.

“Uncle Cannon!” Hunter shouted, his backpack bouncing as he ran. At ten years old, he was already showing signs of the man he’d become, tall and observant.

Five-year-old Josiah trailed behind, his tiny legs working overtime to keep up. Both boys had Reese’s light brown skin and wide smiles, though Josiah had these big, innocent eyes that could melt stone.

I stepped out of the car, my massive frame drawing stares from nearby parents. I caught a few moms looking my way, ready to throw pussy at me. Even with their kids right there.

“What’s good, lil’ homies?” I said, bending down to their level. Hunter crashed into me with a hug that caught me off guard. Josiah hung back, suddenly shy.

“You came in a suit!” Hunter exclaimed. “You look like those men in the movies who shoot people.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What movies you be watchin’?”

“Action!”

“You too young to be watchin’ movies with shooting. I’mma talk to your mother about that.”

They didn’t take me seriously. Instead, they just laughed.

I helped them into the backseat, making sure their seatbelts were secure before sliding back behind the wheel. In the rearview, I could see Hunter whispering something to Josiah, who giggled in response.

“Y’all hungry?” I asked, pulling away from the curb.

“Can we get McDonald’s?” Josiah finally spoke, his voice small but hopeful.

“That garbage?” I shook my head. “Nah, you got real food in the house.”

The boys groaned in unison, and I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. For a moment, I forgot about the funeral, about Tyran, about the millions I’d lost. About Queen and her wet pussy under my fingers. These kids had a way of pulling me out of my head.

“Mommy and Daddy fight a lot,” Hunter announced suddenly, his voice casual like he was discussing the weather.

My jaw clenched instantly, the smile vanishing. In the mirror, I kept my face neutral, but inside I was boiling.

“What do you mean they fight a lot?“

“We hear them every night. That’s why Daddy hasn’t been home this week,” Hunter admitted.

I could feel it coming on. I was gonna have to kill that nigga, Gage. I knew by the way he talked to my sister at the kickback that he was disrespectful. I was gonna have to make my sister a single mother.

“They fightin’ bout what?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm even though my blood was already starting to simmer.