Instead of taking my hand, Holly reaches out with both arms and wraps them around me. “Oh my goodness, I’m so damn grateful that Cannon has finally found someone who can handle his cranky ass. Welcome to the family. We’ve been waiting for you a long, long time.”
Her citrus-and-sunshine scent wraps around me, chasing the chills away. Over her shoulder, Benny gives me a chin jerk, slides off his stool with his drink, and disappears into the crowd.
I’m not sure if I just received a stay of execution or lost a chance at learning something vital, but I don’t have time to think about it right now.
“Thank you,” I say, scrambling for words.
Greer smiles and laughs, clearly happy to see Holly embracing me.
“Oh, girl, don’t thank me,” Holly says as her arms unwind from around me and she steps back. “I was just so glad to hear when Greer told me about you. I’ve been waiting years for this moment. You don’t even know.”
“Maybe now they can finally make up and have their bromance back,” Greer adds with hope in her voice. “I know Creighton has been missing Cannon like a lost limb, even though he denies it.”
“Of course he has. Do you know how many times Crey picks up his phone to call and tell Cannon something and then sets it down when he realizes he deleted his number? It’s worse than a teenage girl with a breakup.” Holly shakes her head, and her dark waves dance around her shoulders.
She’s even more beautiful in person than on TV, and that’s definitely a surprise. I’ve met so many famous people in my life, and they always look different without the heavy layers of makeup that get them camera ready.
“Speaking of Crey, where is he?” Greer asks, turning to scan the restaurant.
At the same time, silverware clinks on a glass somewhere. As the hum of conversation subsides, all heads swivel to find the source.
It’s Dom. He stands at one of four tables that have been set for dinner, each about ten feet long, with enough room to accommodate the fifty or so people who have been milling around and making small talk.
When the room goes silent and he has everyone’s attention, a smile stretches over his face like he’s a king surveying his subjects, which I suppose is how he feels. Here, he’s a god. No one outranks him. His decision is the final word on all things. One must wonder if having that kind of power for years would go to someone’s head, and from the way Dom takes no shit, I would have to think it absolutely has.
“Family and friends, thank you all for coming this evening. I think many of you doubted I’d ever live to see this birthday, but I’m happy to prove you wrong.”
As everyone chuckles at Dom’s statement, my gaze skips over the crowd, trying to find Cannon, and I spot him near the exit. He’s a dozen feet from Creighton, but the other man has his back to Cannon.
I wish I could fix things for them.After hearing Greer and Holly, I’m more convinced than ever that it’s crucial the breach in their friendship be mended.
“Now please sit, eat, and drink because we are on the edge of a new era. The next time we gather, I’ll share my plans for the future. But tonight—tonight wecelebrate!” Dom lifts his glass in the air, and the crowd cheers and does the same.
Someone calls out “Salud,” and everyone shouts it before taking a sip and maneuvering around one another to take their seats.
Greer’s husband, Cav, arrives beside us and leans his head low, but he speaks loud enough for me to overhear. “Dom wants us to sit at his table. You, me, Eden, Bishop, Holly, and Creighton.”
“But what about—” Greer shoots a look at me, and I know what she’s thinking.Cannon, the outcast son once again.
My heart pinches at the thought of him not getting to sit with the others. It’s not like he’s the only illegitimate child. They’reallillegitimate.
Screw the pain in my chest. A fire borne of rage ignites in my belly, and I want to march right up to Dom and tell him that he’s being an asshole by treating Cannon the way he does. If he can’t respect Cannon and treat him as an equal with all his other children, then Dom doesn’t deserve to have Cannon managing something as important as the Upper Ten.
I have money. Cannon has money. We could open our own club. Screw Dom and his reign. I won’t spend the rest of my life watching Cannon being ignored like he doesn’t matter, when he should be the most important person in this goddamned room to everyone.
Whoa. I went there.
The rest of my life.That’s how long I want Cannon with me.
The realization should be scary. Frightening. Terrifying.
But it’s not. It just feelsright.
Given my thoughts, it only makes sense that the man himself would be standing beside me before I have more than a moment to collect myself. I stare up at his face, noting every variance of his hazel eyes, which are greener tonight than normal.
“We can go if you want,” I tell him.
Cannon’s expression creases with confusion as he slides his arm around me and rests his palm on the small of my back. “Do you want to go?”