“I’m good,” Roman replies with one of his reddish-brown eyebrows raised in concern. “Cannon?”
“Sorry to bother you,” I say as I get up and stroll over to him.
“Sorry you had to wait,” he responds quietly. Once I’m in the chapel, he shuts the door behind me, and I swear our president’s cheeks turn red when my nostrils flare thanks to the heavy smell of sex in the air. “Sorry,” he says again. It’s unlike Roman to apologize for anything. “Charlotte’s ovulating, so it couldn’t wait; and if she comes, there’s a better chance…”
“Ahh,” I tell him as I slap my palms over my ears. “I get it. You’re trying to put a kid in her. Everyone’s having babies. I don’t want or need to know about the details on how it happens!”
Roman laughs, losing some of his embarrassment when he takes his seat at the head of the table, lounging like a content lion who has just feasted on a herd of antelope. Since reproductive story time is apparently over, I lower my hands and take my own seat.
“What’s up?” he asks.
“You need the prospects for anything important?”
“Nah. It would be nice to get them out from under my goddamn feet for a little while. If you want them, you can have them.”
“Do you want to know what I need them for?” I ask.
“Sure,” he says with a shrug as if it doesn’t really matter. The prospects are basically little bitches to the Kings as needed until they patch in.
I give him all the current information about Bailey, his attempt at blackmailing me, and wanting me to go after his opponent for mayor. Roman, of course, is quick to declare that none of the Kings are to touch Madison Monroe or do anything else to help the fat fuck.
“I’m sorry if that means Conrad gets arrested, but we have to draw the line somewhere,” Roman explains.
“No, I get it. And Conrad said the same thing. He just wants me to help take care of Hannah if he goes away.”
“We’ll all help her with anything, I’m sure your brother knows that,” he says.
“He does, and we appreciate it,” I tell him. “For now, I’ll take the prospects so they can help me keep an eye on her. Conrad didn’t think we should leave them alone, though. He thinks Bailey could come at her with more than the two of them could handle.”
“I’m not gonna lie, the prospects need to be tested. Shit has been quiet around here, for which I’m grateful, but I’m not convinced either of them have what it takes to be a King, and I’m not confident that they’ll put aside whatever their beef is if one of them is in trouble.”
“I agree. I’ll keep an eye on them and would prefer that they see some action and not Madison.”
Roman squints at me. “You on a first name basis with her already?”
“Ah, not really. She isn’t very fond of me.”
“Wow. Good for her,” he says with a grin. “Someone is finally immune to your charms.”
“Guess so. She’s uptight and…unapproachable. Neither of which bode well for her campaign.”
“You don’t think she can win?” Roman asks.
“Not unless she comes down off her high horse long enough to kiss the feet of us commoners.”
“She really that bad?”
“She is. Wait until you meet her.”
“I would like to,” Roman says, leaning forward with his hands clasped on the table. I tell him about my idea for a campaign fundraiser, and he’s on board with the program immediately. “We’ll toss out some ideas at our next Kings’ meeting. Until then, I really need to get back to work.” He pulls the closed laptop that was pushed away towards him and opens it. “I’ve been talking to some lawyers about a civil suit against the city, going after them for damages caused by shutting us down for no reason. They’ve sent me a long list of questions they need answered before we go any further.”
“The lawyers think we could win?”
“Possibly. Depends on who the judges are, and if they’re buddies with Bailey or not. If we can find one who hates him as much as we do, then we could make it work.”
“Okay, I’ll let you get back to it,” I tell him, pushing my chair back and getting to my feet.
“Keep me updated on the situation with…Madison,” he says with a smirk. “If anyone can charm an uptight, unapproachable woman, it would be you. And if you can’t charm her, maybe you can figure out a way to make people like her enough to vote for her.”
“I’ll try my best,” I tell him as I open the door to leave.
“The Savage Kings are counting on you, Cannon. Don’t fuck it up,” Roman says before I pull the door closed.
Like I needed any extra pressure.
Blowing out a breath, I say, “Dipshits One and Two, let’s go. You’re coming with me.”
“We are?” Lucas asks as he pops up and comes hurrying over with excitement filling his eyes, completely abandoning his cards. Jake is much slower to follow.
“Do you need to go home and recover?” I ask him, and he shakes his head. “You sure about that?”
“Yes, sir,” Jake croaks out.
“Suit yourself. If you need to use the bathroom, do it now. We’re going to be camping out in my SUV the rest of the night.”
“Just a sec,” Lucas says before he hurries off to the men’s room. Jake also starts in that direction, moving like a sloth.
“Yo, Jake,” I say as I go up to him.
“Yeah…yes, sir?” he asks, still hoarse.
“Don’t play games you can’t win,” I tell him when I grab his shoulder. “And just so you know, the childish bullshit with Lucas doesn’t get you any points. In fact, it makes the Kings question if either of you can actually cut it as one of us or if you’re still too immature. I’m about to put you in charge of protecting a woman’s life. Can you handle it, or will you be
