Chapter 2
Chapter
Two
Kannon Glover
I sat back on the couch with my arms splayed across the back as the mellow music filled the air and soothed my racing nerves.
Four of my guys were on tour with a new group, leaving my roster short as hell.
I filled in when necessary, but I usually didn’t do late nights.
Sometimes, I made an exception. Tonight, I had to.
A frantic call from my girl had me out way past my bedtime.
Carteay’s album release party was an exclusive event with less than fifty people in attendance.
The low-key nature was the number one selling point aside from her personally calling to express the need for my help.
I liked her. The same type of situation had led us to become friends in the first place.
Filling in for one of my guys had me joining her for a few weeks on her last tour.
Somehow, we ended up spending time together.
Being up close and personal showed me that she really didn’t have anybody in her corner on the road.
Everybody wanted to serve the greater good of the label.
Seeing how genuine and sweet she was made me want to get to know her better.
Carrie was a sweet girl, too good for the world she chose to live in, but to each his own. I watched her from across the room, and I could tell that she was drunk off her ass. The long copper box braids swept across the round curve of it as she danced and swayed to the music.
I was proud of my girl. She had the right to celebrate the album.
It was good as hell. I could tell that she fought hard to be true to herself.
If she only questioned two of the songs, I considered that a success.
I’d heard stories of artists being forced to change their entire style hoping to reach some level of success.
She made it clear that preserving her integrity was important to her.
So far, she seemed to be doing that. She threw back a shot of whatever was on the table before picking up another. I kept my eyes on her as she danced her way over and plopped down on the couch next to me. The mixture of tequila and her expensive sugary perfume permeated my senses.
Even in her drunken state, Carteay was adorable.
Her smooth, bronze skin glowed, and her eyes were bright and glossy.
Her plump bow-shaped lips were painted a shade of purple that just seemed to work in combination with her hair and skin tone.
A warm smile covered her gorgeous face as she cozied up next to me.
Pretty and drunk was a recipe for disaster in some spaces, but not on my watch.
“You have to learn how to have fun, Kannon.”
“I’m not here to have fun, C. I’m working.”
“Work, work, work, that’s all you do,” she fussed.
“What else is there to do?”
“Live life!”
“Well, I could say the same about you.”
“I’m literally at a party,” she replied.
“So am I,” I countered. “This is an album release party for your album, Carrie. I would say that this probably counts as work too.”
“Touché.”
I shrugged. “I don’t mind working. Look at what I do for a living. You of all people should be able to relate. When you do what you love, work isn’t really work, is it?”
She giggled that cute little giggle that all girly girls seemed to do. “Not you making sense again.”
“Nigga, please,” I said, shoving her playfully.
“I’m glad you came. These other people work for the label. I can’t really trust them like I trust you, Kannon. You work for me.”
“I don’t work for you, little bit.”
She smiled. “You know what I mean, big head.”
“I do, and you know what I mean when I tell you if you feel like you’re not safe, just say the word and I’m moving. It doesn’t matter where I am.”
“Thank you for that. I wish you were with me full-time. You’re the only one who ever truly makes me feel safe.”
“I’m just doing my job, C.”
“I know. Well, let me get my ass up and play hostess a little more before they think I’m being antisocial again.”
“Fuck them folks, Carrie,” I told her, casually lifting my shoulders.
“You’re right. I’m too drunk to be worried about how these folks feel. Take a shot with me.”
“You know I don’t drink on the job.”
“You’re no fun.” She pouted.
I watched as she placed a pink tablet on her tongue before taking the shot in her hand down.
Many of my celebrity clients indulged in mind-altering drugs.
I wasn’t there to judge. I was here to protect her and make sure she was able to enjoy herself without interference.
Just as quick as that thought passed, I saw her handler slash boyfriend breeze into the room with four other niggas flanking him.
It was a small entourage considering we were dealing with Cy the Great.
I couldn’t knock his talent. He was one of the best rappers out right now.
His mix of old-school and new age rap seemed to work for him.
The nigga was pretty good. That didn’t mean he wasn’t a bitch made punk.
I didn’t like the way he treated Carrie, but that shit wasn’t my business.
As her friend, it was my job to be objective and let her figure out what was best for her.
I didn’t get into relationship shit. It wasn’t like I was an expert on the matter myself.
Still, I hated him. I could tell when she spotted his ass because her shoulders dropped.
Even though it was her party, he didn’t seem to be looking for her as he worked the room, flirting with a few of the women in attendance as he moved around.
“Well, I guess that’s my cue not to have any more fun.”
“This is your night, Carteay. Enjoy it.”
“I’ll try. You be good. Don’t let none of these groupies pull you into a back room.”
I chuckled. “I’ll try to resist.”
She took another deep breath before standing and sauntering over to where her man stood waiting as if this were his party. He didn’t budge when she wrapped her arms around his waist. I really couldn’t stand that nigga.
Carteay was gorgeous and talented, and just because everybody else treated him like he was King Tut, the nigga thought he had the right to make her feel like she didn’t deserve him.
I hated fuck boys with a passion. She said their relationship was a publicity stunt, but I didn’t give a damn. I hated him for her.
Cy leaned down kissing her forehead and giving her just enough affection to make her put on a fake smile.
I kept my eyes on her as she moved away from him, only to notice her grabbing a bottle of white liquor and moving back over to where his weak ass stood and passing it to him.
This was her fucking party. Why was she serving him?
That was none of my business. Only her safety was.
When he threw his arm over her shoulder and escorted her out of the room, I was tempted to move. He had his boys with him, but they were here for him. I was here for Carrie. Not wanting to get in the way of whatever he had planned for her in one of those back rooms, I held in place.
I noticed that the music had changed. It was a little after midnight, so I had to assume that the listening party was wrapping up.
It had been about fifteen minutes since Carteay and Cy disappeared into one of those back rooms. There was no telling what they were up to.
Well, actually, it didn’t take a fool to figure it out.
Pushing off the couch, I stood and followed the path that led to the hallway where they’d gone.
The first thing I noticed was Cy’s goons standing outside of a door.
I approached them to tell them to let Carteay know I was leaving, but the commotion I heard on the other side of the door halted my steps.
“Hold up, nigga,” one of them said, putting his forearm up to stop me before I got close to him.
“I would advise you to move the fuck around,” I warned him. The warning was a courtesy. It was the only one he would get.
“You can’t go in there,” another one of Cy’s minions chimed in.
“I wasn’t thinking about going in until you tried to stop me. What the fuck is all that commotion?”
“They’re probably just having a disagreement. We stay out of that shit.”
A scowl covered my face as I pushed past him and grabbed the doorknob. The door was locked.
“Carrie!” I called, hoping she would answer the door.
One of Cy’s boys was dumb enough to fucking grab me. His hand clamped down on my shoulder, and before he could speak, my hand was on top of his. My grip on his hand nearly crippled him as I sent an elbow into his boy’s nose hoping the bones of his broken nose went through his brain.
Using my shoulder, I busted through the door.
I didn’t stop moving until I saw Cyrus hovering over Carrie as she lay on her back on a couch.
His hand was around her throat while she fought against his attempt to pull up her dress.
I snatched him off her and threw his little ass on the floor.
He landed on his back hard enough to rattle his bones.
“You good, Carrie?” I barked the question, knowing the answer from seeing the terror in her eyes.
“Nigga!”
I turned just in time to see Cyrus scrambling to his feet. With one punch, I sent him back to his ass. This time, he would stay there. One of his men grabbed me from behind, and I flipped him, putting him on his back right next to his boss man.
I quickly turned and grabbed Carrie’s arm, scooping her up until we were chest to chest. I wrapped her legs around me and carried her like a child that fell asleep on the couch as I rushed out of the door and out of the back exit.
It was a good thing that my truck was parked in the back.
I shoved her into the passenger seat and slammed the door before rushing around to the driver’s side.
Once I fired up my truck, I tore out of the parking lot.
“You good?” I asked again, flashing a quick glance in her direction.
Her silent tears were accompanied by a nod of her head.
Her answer didn’t match her demeanor. The desire to let my chopper sing nagged at me, but it wasn’t in my job description tonight.
I reached in the back seat and pulled a bottle of water from the cooler on the floor and shoved the bottle in her direction.
“Drink.”
I heard the seal crack when she opened the bottle and tipped it to her lips. I grabbed the hoodie off my back seat and tossed it in her lap.
“You’re safe now, Carteay. Where are your people? Where do I need to take you?” I quizzed.
“Hmph. My people are his people too. They’ll just give me back to him.”
“What does that mean, Carrie? I don’t understand.”
“Can you just take me to a hotel or something? I’ll figure something out in the morning.”
“I don’t know if I feel comfortable leaving you alone right now. Can they find you?” I asked her.
“What other choice do we have? I don’t want to go back to the party.”
“How about I take you to my place for the night? I have an extra bedroom. I promise I won’t try no funny shit or call the paparazzi and let them know you’re there.
I just want to be able to keep an eye on you.
” When she hesitated, I added, “If you feel like you’re not safe there, use your safe word.
Just say mercy, and I’ll take you to any hotel of your choosing.
I just feel better when I know you’re safe.
You don’t have to trust me, C. I’ll earn it. ”
The solemn nod of her head was confirmation enough for me.
“Kannon?” Her voice was soft and dejected. I hated seeing her like this.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Just take some time to breathe, and let me handle the rest.”