Page 63 of Cannon
After she left, I sat alone in my spotless living room, her words echoing in my head. The wine had left me with a pleasant buzz, just enough to lower my guard, to let those dangerous thoughts creep in.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed my phone and pulled up Cannon’s number. My thumbs hovered over the screen as I composed a text:
Queen: You up? I can’t stop thinking about what happened in my office.
I stared at the words, my heart pounding in my chest. Then, with a muttered curse, I deleted the whole thing. This was stupid. I was stupid for even considering it.
But as I set my phone down and curled up on the couch, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Nori might be right. Maybe I did deserve more. Maybe it was time to stop running from the things that scared me.
And nothing scared me more than the way Cannon Price made me feel.
Chapter 25
Queen
I swept into the dressing room like a hurricane in six-inch Louboutins, my presence immediately commanding every dancer’s attention. The chatter died as I stood in the center, letting my gaze travel across each face, measuring, assessing. These girls needed to understand what was at stake tonight.
“Listen up, ladies,” I announced, my voice cutting through the lingering whispers. “Tonight isn’t just another night at Sylk Road. Tonight could change your whole fucking life.”
I paused, letting that sink in while I smoothed down my form-fitting dress. The room was electric with anticipation.
“We’ve got the BET Awards show afterparty crowd coming through, plus that charity gala for the mayor’s foundation letting out two blocks away. You know what that means?” I didn’t wait for an answer. “Every baller worth his bank account will be in this building tonight. Rappers, politicians, CEOs, hedge fund managers, athletes—men who drop twenty grand like it’s pocket change.”
Jupiter shifted in her seat, already mentally counting money. Miss Kitty was applying another coat of glitter to her chest, while Champagne leaned forward, hanging on my every word.
“This is the kind of night that could retire one or two of you,” I continued, pacing slowly between the vanities. “The kind of night that separates the professionals from the amateurs.”
I stopped behind Diamond, placing my hands on her shoulders as I met her eyes in the mirror.
“Diamond, fix those lashes, baby. The left one’s hanging on for dear life. And when you dance, remember what I told you, slow it down. Make them wait for it. These rich motherfuckas don’t want a girl rushing through her routine like she’s got somewhere better to be.”
She nodded quickly, already reaching for her lash glue. I moved on to Cinnamon, who was adjusting her G-string.
“Cinnamon, your bikini line needs some touching up. Tweeze that monkey or go home. I already told you about that hair. And for God’s sake, fix your weave in the back. You’re giving struggle ponytail, and we don’t do struggle at Sylk Road.”
I didn’t wait to see if my words stung. These girls needed tough love, and I was the only one who would give it to them straight.
“Miss Kitty, enough with the glitter. You look like you fell into a kindergarten art project. Tone it down, focus on your moves. Your technique is what’ll keep them throwing money, not turning yourself into a disco ball.”
Approaching Champagne, I narrowed my eyes at her outfit choice. “That bodysuit is cutting into your thighs like a tourniquet. Change it now. I want you looking expensive, not desperate.”
Champagne’s eyes flashed with defiance, but she knew better than to challenge me. Not tonight. Not when I was in this mood.
“Jupiter,” I said, softening my tone slightly. “You’re my ace. Show these new girls how it’s done tonight.”
Jupiter smiled, nodding with the confidence of a veteran who knew her worth. “Always do, Queen. I told you I was ready toretire this year anyway. I’m so close to my goal of saving up for my spa, tonight might be the night,” she laughed.
“I hope so. You’ve always had that boss bitch energy,” I replied.
Jupiter had been one of my top earners for the last five years, but I could tell she was ready for something different. The late nights, the constant grind of using her body to make money—it was wearing on her. And she had a son at home, almost in middle school now. She didn’t want him growing up embarrassed, carrying the weight of what she did to provide for him.
She had goals, though, and I respected that. Jupiter already finished massage and esthetician school, and she was working toward opening her own spa. She had a plan, and she was following through. That’s what I loved to see: women graduating from this life on their own terms. The money in this business comes quick, but it doesn’t last forever. And I’d rather see them leave standing tall than fall trying to hold on too long.
I turned to address the whole room again, placing my hands on my hips. “Remember, these men came here looking for fantasy, not reality. They want perfection. They want magic. And that’s exactly what we’re going to give them.”
I pulled out my phone, checking the time. “Doors open in twenty minutes. The VIP section is already booked solid, and I’ve got Cannon and the boys on high alert. Security’s tight tonight, no phones on the floor, no bullshit in the champagne rooms.”
Walking toward the door, I paused for one final look at my girls. “Make me proud tonight. Make yourselves rich. And remember…” I snapped my fingers for emphasis, “no touching unless they’re paying for it.”
