Just like that, I felt empowered to face the world and whoever thought they would take me down. Kannon suggested that I go out as if nothing had ever happened. Not for my image, but to show Cy and his flunkies that they couldn’t faze me. A few minor injuries were not going to stop me from shining like the star I was.
Kannon was super sexy dressed in all-black sweats. I insisted that he wear a tux, but he said tonight was about me. He didn’t need to dress up to play the background. I glimpsed over at him just to make sure that he was still there.
His eyes were already on me as he stood watch with his hands stuffed in his hoodie. Patiently, he waited for me to make my next move. He was so big and fine. I loved a sturdy man. The way he carried me around like a rag doll made my temperature rise. Heat crawled up my neck as he eyed me down like prey. Lord knows, I wanted him to catch me. So far, he refused to give in to what I knew we both wanted. I needed to get his walls down.
My internal fingers were crossed, hoping that Kannon could actually pull off his promise of getting me out of my contract. I wanted to rid myself of Big Time Records and everything they stood for. For now, I forced a smile and stepped into the light.
“Carteay! Carteay!”
Camera flashes blinded me as people called my name from every direction. I’d gotten used to the lights and cameras, so I smiled on cue. Feeling Kannon’s presence looming somewhere behind me gave me the confidence to pull the hem of my dress up and show my sparkly pink shoes. They went perfectly with my gown, and everyone was eating them up.
“Carteay, what made you make such a bold statement wearing tennis shoes with your gown?” one of them asked.
“Actually, I didn’t have much of a choice. An injury during rehearsal put me out of commission. This is Kannon, one of my best friends and my biggest supporter. He got me these to wear tonight. Aren’t they adorable?”
The crowd cooed, and the camera flashes were blinding as I modeled my shoes a second longer. My answer resulted in a slew of questions that I didn’t plan on answering. Instead, I continued to smile for the cameras. Just when I was tired of standing there, Kannon stepped in as if he could sense it and placed his hand on the small of my back, urging me to move forward.
I smiled up at him then noticed that he wasn’t even looking at me. He nudged me, prompting me to walk off the carpet and toward the entrance of the convention center. Once we passed the paparazzi, Kannon moved around me and pushed me behind him.
“I suggest you back the fuck up, partner,” he spat before I finally noticed Cyrus and friends rushing toward us.
“This is my fucking lady. I don’t need no muscle head asshole telling me when I can get to her like I’m some kind of fan. Do you know who the fuck I am?”
Kannon chuckled. “Yeah, that new single actually slaps. That don’t have shit to do with Carteay. The only reason you still breathing is because of her. I wanted to put your ass in the ground months ago. Not to mention how you lied to my face when I was looking for her the other day.”
“Carteay, who the fuck does this nigga think he’s talking to? Who do you work for, son?” Cyrus asked.
“I’m guessing all that loud music probably fucked up your hearing. That’s probably why you think what I said to you was a suggestion. Move the fuck around before you get moved the fuck around. You’re already living on borrowed time. If I were you, I would make the best of the time I got left,” Kannon warned.
I grabbed Kannon’s arm, hoping to remind him that I was there. I didn’t need a scene right now. “Kannon, let’s just go. He’s not worth it.”
“Yeah, Kannon. You a big shit talker, but I suggest you listen to your boss lady.”
“I’m a big shit backer upper too. You haven’t forgot that, have you? Not sure if you wanna see that one tonight. I’m trying not to make a scene because I don’t want to embarrass Carteay like that,” Kannon stated.
“Yeah, ’cause you’re all mouth and a big ass head.”
I didn’t even see Kannon grab Cyrus by the collar of his shirt before he yanked him to him.
“Kannon!” I shrieked.
“I’m in your chest, nigga. You talking all that shit because you got six niggas standing over there ready to pounce. Where was all that mouth a few days ago? Hm? Them muthafuckas don’t put an ounce of fear in my heart. I’m in your chest, nigga. What’s up?” Kannon scowled down as he clung to Cyrus’s shirt.
“Kannon, please.” I pulled his arm as I begged him to let Cyrus go.
Cyrus’s entourage was quickly approaching, and the last thing I wanted was to cause any more of a scene than we already had. Kannon didn’t even seem to notice me or them as he continued to grill Cyrus. Kannon twisted the collar of Cy’s shirt, tightening it around his neck. Cy hit Kannon’s arms and sputtered while Kannon looked down at him like he was the one who needed to calm down.
“Kannon, let him go. Forget him. Let’s go.”
“Son, do you see how your boys are standing back with the hush mouth like good little boys? Don’t try to speak. Just nod your head if you see what I mean,” Kannon spoke. Then he actually waited for Cyrus to respond. If I weren’t so scared, I would have been amused. When Cyrus nodded his head, Ithought I was going to pass out in his place. “Get like them before your mama have to plan your funeral instead of an album release party, bitch nigga,” Kannon said before releasing Cy and slightly pushing him away.
Cyrus coughed like hell when Kannon finally let him go. His entourage rushed to his side, but none of them even acknowledged Kannon.What the hell is going on?
“And tell Granny Gibbs I’ll be there to pick her up for bingo Tuesday at eleven like clockwork. She’ll need me once you’re gone. I already told you I’m not playing about this one. I don’t plan to repeat myself. Let’s go, Carteay,” Kannon said, extending his hand to me.
I was speechless as I stepped forward and slipped my hand into his. I didn’t even bother to look back at Cyrus and company as we walked toward our seats. I knew that I was safe with Kannon. Safety was all I had ever wanted.
“Ladies, have you ever wanted to feel something?” I asked the crowd as I stood from my chair and strutted across the stage.
