Page 5 of Cannon
I was exhausted after he left. I took a slow drag, then crushed the clove out once I was done. I began to review my books for the night but then a sharp knock cracked the door open.
Darius’s big head peeked in, eyes darting like he was expecting to get smacked. He was my head of security but he was terrible at his job. I needed to replace him soon. He was my best friend, Nori’s cousin. This might harm our relationship but his ineptitude was harming my business.
“You better have a damn good reason,” I said flat.
“You uh…” He stepped inside, breath short. “You might wanna come downstairs.”
“You look like somebody snatched your chain. Spit it out.”
He scratched at the back of his neck. “I think Bebe’s fuckin’ a patron.”
“Okay? And?” I stood and straightened my red body con dress. “Handle it.”
Darius hesitated. “It’s… Nero. He’s in Champagne Room Two.”
My chest tightened but I could understand why he didn’t want to say anything to Nero. Nero was Smoke’s son. However, it was still his job. I stared at Darius for a second. Then walked right past without a word.
By the time I hit the main floor, my patience was gone. I needed someone who could handle shit like this without me. I shouldn’t have to run interference on this. This is why I hired security. Darius was a bitch made nigga. This is what I get for trying to help out a friend of the family.
Sylk was still in full swing, bodies grinding, neon lights pulsing and liquor flowing. But when I walked through, the energy shifted. Dancers slowed. Conversations hushed. Even the DJ lowered the bass like the whole place knew Mama had stepped in.
My heels cracked against the marble like warning shots.
Champagne Room Two sat at the end of the hallway, all plush velvet and stained secrets. I didn’t knock. Didn’t announce myself. I kicked the door open.
Bebe jumped back like she’d seen a ghost. She had been on his lap riding him.
Nero was slouched in the seat, pants halfway down, a bottle of Ace of Spades on the table and his dick hanging out. At least he used a condom with this hoe.
I gave him one look and curled my lip.
“Put your lil dick away, Nero. This ain’t that kind of party.”
“What you say, bitch?!”
“You heard me. Get the fuck out of my club right now!”
Bebe scrambled to stand while grabbing her g-string.
Nero stood, puffed out like he was grown. “You know who the fuck my father is. Why you trippin’?”
“I don’t care if you’re the son of Yahweh.”
I stepped forward, voice steady. “This ismyclub. And inmychampagne room and ain’t no fuckin’ goin’ down. Period.”
His eyes narrowed. “You lucky my pops got a soft spot for you.”
I raised my brow and stood aside so that he could exit. He pulled up his pants and put his gun back in his waist before giving me the evil eye as he left.
As soon as he was gone, I grabbed Bebe by her Brazilian wavy weave and yanked her out of the champagne room.
“Queen! Wait!” she stammered, stumbling behind me on her stripper heels.
“Shut the fuck up.”
I rushed into the dancers’ dressing room where other girls were preparing to go work the stage.
The second I pushed open the door, heads turned. Music still thudded faintly through the walls, but in here, the gossip was the loudest thing blaring.
