Page 131 of Cannon
“Smart girl,” Cannon said. “Like her mama.”
We reached the master suite, a massive room with windows overlooking the property’s small lake. I could already picture waking up here each morning, Cannon’s body warm beside mine, nothing but peace stretching out before us.
“Can you believe this is our life now?” I asked, leaning against the window frame. “Sometimes I still think I’m gonna wake up back in my apartment, Sylk Road falling apart around me, mama drama blowing up my phone.”
Cannon came up behind me, his hands settling on my hips. “This is real, Queen. You earned this.”
I turned to face him, needing to say what had been on my mind for weeks. “I’m proud of you for helping Draya too. Giving her Tyran’s share of the money… that was more than generous.”
His expression softened slightly. “It was his money as much as mine. And after everything that went down with Reese, withthe boys…” he paused, swallowing hard. “I’m trying to make better choices. Leave a better legacy.”
I touched his face, my fingers tracing the strong line of his jaw. “You know Reese was sick, right? What happened wasn’t your fault.”
He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. “I know. Took me a while to accept it, but I know.”
The real estate agent’s voice floated up from downstairs, calling our names. Reality intruding on our moment.
“Ready to make this official?” Cannon asked, his eyes holding mine.
I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. “Let’s do it.”
As we headed downstairs to sign the papers that would make this dream a reality, I couldn’t help but think about how far we’d come. From a strip club owner and a security guard with too many secrets to husband and wife, building something beautiful together.
The path hadn’t been easy. There’d been blood and tears, loss and grief. But standing beside this man who’d chosen me, who saw all my broken pieces and loved me anyway, I knew one thing for certain: every painful step had led us exactly where we were meant to be.
And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid of what tomorrow would bring.
Epilogue
The opening night of Queenstown B&B was going well. I stood on the balcony overlooking the main hall of Queenstown Luxe, watching the crowd below as they mingled, glasses of champagne catching the light from the crystal chandeliers. Her vision had finally come to life. The old Victorian mansion had been transformed into something magical, something that belonged entirely to Queen and me.
The grand opening was everything we’d planned for. Photographers from upscale travel magazines snapped pictures of the restored woodwork, the custom spa facilities, the gourmet kitchen where our executive chef prepared farm-to-table cuisine. The buzz in the industry had been building for months, with waiting lists already stretching into next year for the luxury wellness retreat that promised both exclusivity and healing.
I adjusted my custom-tailored suit, still not entirely comfortable in clothes this expensive despite my bank account. Old habits die hard. When you’ve spent years surviving on nothing, it’s hard to feel natural in thousand-dollar shoes.
“There you are.” Queen’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as she glided toward me, looking like a goddamn goddess in hergold floor-length gown that hugged every curve. “Hiding from our guests?”
I pulled her close, breathing in her scent. “Just watching. Taking it all in.”
She followed my gaze down to the crowd. “Can you believe we actually did it?”
“You did it,” I corrected, pressing a kiss to her temple. “This was your dream.”
Queen leaned into me, her body warm against mine. “Our dream now.”
Below us, I could see Nori holding court near the bar, already three drinks in but handling herself like the businesswoman she’d become. Sylk Road’s rebrand under her ownership had been a massive success, transforming the strip club into one of Harlem’s hottest nightlife destinations. She caught my eye and raised her glass in a silent toast.
ZaZa stood nearby in deep conversation with one of our investors, her gestures animated as she explained something about the property’s sustainable energy systems. At twenty-two with her business degree nearly complete, she’d grown into a confident young woman who’d somehow managed to finish school and was working as a choreographer in New York.
“Hunter and Josiah look handsome,” Queen said, nodding toward the two boys standing awkwardly by the dessert table in their first suits.
I felt the familiar ache whenever I saw them, the bittersweet knowledge that they weren’t mine to raise, but they were still part of my life. At twelve and seven, they visited during school breaks and summers, helping with the horses and exploring the property’s trails. Mia had kept her word about keeping me involved, and for that, I’d be forever grateful.
“They’re growing up fast,” she continued.
“Too fast,” I agreed, swallowing past the lump in my throat.
Across the room, I spotted my brothers, Riot and Creed, standing with their wives. They’d been my unexpected allies these past couple of years. Blood I never knew I had until Tessa’s letters found me in prison, revealing the truth about who my father was—a powerful man murdered by Silas before I was born.
