Page 69 of Cannon

“You good?” I asked, my voice gentler now that the storm had passed.

She nodded, a small smile playing at her lips. “Yeah. I’m good.”

I pulled her against my chest, one hand stroking her back. “I meant what I said. About Smoke. About handling it.”

She looked up at me, really seeing me this time. “I know. I trust you.”

Those three words hit different, settling in my chest like something precious. Trust wasn’t given easily in our world, especially not by a woman like Queen.

“Come on,” I said, fixing her dress. “Let’s get you home.”

As I looked down at Queen, her hand in mine, I knew one thing for certain: I’d burn this whole fucking city down before I let Smoke or anyone else touch what was mine.

Chapter 27

Cannon

Queen made it through her front door, and I sat there in the dark until I saw her silhouette move across the window. Safe. For now. That was my cue. The streets had been whispering Smoke’s name for too long, but tonight I decided that his story ended. Not because of old grudges, not because he used to be my boss. He threatened Queen. And that meant his life was already over, I just had to deliver the bullet.

I pulled away from Queen’s building, my mind already shifting into predator mode. Every street light I passed cast shadows across my face, reminding me of prison bars. Five years inside gave a man time to think about vengeance, about settling scores. But this wasn’t about old beef, this was about protecting what was mine.

My phone buzzed in the cup holder. Speak of the devil.

I glanced at the screen. Smoke. Like summoning a demon by thinking his name.

I answered, keeping my voice casual. “Yeah.”

“Cannon, my boy.” His voice came through syrupy thick, like he was doing me a favor by calling. “You have a chance to think about my proposition? Half a mil is life-changing money for a nigga just out the joint.”

“Nigga, suck my dick. I ain’t doin’ that shit!” I barked, ending the call.

The phone vibrated again in my hand. A text from Smoke: “You just made the biggest mistake of your life. I gave you a chance to be smart. Now I’m coming for everything you care about.”

This nigga really thought he was the one holdin’ the cards. I knew more about his operation than he did. I knew more about his weaknesses than he knew anything about me. And that threat just sent me over the edge.

Because he wasn’t talking about Queen. He didn’t know that we had a relationship. He was talking about Reese and her boys. Those are the only people he knew I cared about.

And even though I was lookin’ at Reese funny right now, I was still burned up about someone making threats towards her. I needed to handle this shit asap. But first things first, I needed to see Riot and Creed.

I didn’t waste time. I pulled out my phone and hit up Riot’s number.

“Who dis?” His voice came through hard and suspicious.

“It’s Cannon. We need to talk. You and Creed both.”

A long pause. “About what?”

“Not over the phone. Meet me at Mel’s Diner on 145th. One hour.”

“Why should I…”

“Because your life depends on it,” I cut him off. “One hour.”

I hung up before he could argue, then headed straight to the diner. I needed to get there first, scope the place out, make sure it was safe for us. Old habits die hard.

The diner was half-empty when I arrived. I chose a booth in the back, facing the door, my back to the wall. Classic spot for a man who didn’t trust nobody. I ordered coffee and waited,watching every person who came through that door like they might be carrying death.

Forty minutes later, they walked in. Riot first, scanning the place with those dark, suspicious eyes. Creed behind him, calmer but no less alert. My half-brothers. Same mother, different fathers. We had the same strong jaw, same broad shoulders, but where I got my father’s light eyes, they had their fathers’ darkness.