Porter Protectswas a security protection firm owned by Cannon and Capri. Capri wanted to hire additional qualified protectors to expand their business, but Cannon had a hard time trusting people, so he refused. In Cannon’s mind, they didn’t need to expand, because they made great money already. Cannon’s previous special marine forces background made him more than capable of defending, and he charged exactly what he was worth. It worked out because they usually took on high-value clients whose threats justified charging large amounts of money. Their pockets were also always long enough to pay up.
That was one reason Capri was hesitant to tell Cannon about the job that came across her desk the day before. The payday wasn’t going to be as large as they were used to, andthe job was a lot less exciting than his usual adventures.
Capri silently watched her brother work as she thought about how to present the job to him. Finally, she decided to go for it.
“You said you’re ready for a new job, right?” she asked.
Cannon paused his work momentarily before he chuckled and resumed.
“It depends on the job.”
Capri kissed her teeth. “Usually, you’re eager to take whatever comes across the desk. You’ve never said thatit dependedon anything before.”
Glancing at her, Cannon said, “Andyouain’t ever presented a job with a question like that before.”
Grinning, Capri asked, “What do I usually say then?”
He laughed and cleared his throat. In a voice that was higher than his own, but nothing like Capri’s, he said, “I got one for ya, Brother.”
Capri burst out laughing. Her brother was one of the most serious and stoic people she knew, but she could always get him to let that armor down when it was just the two of them.
“Chile, please. You sound nothing like me, and I don’talwayssay that,” she said, lying through her teeth.
“Yeah, aight. What’s the job then, Cap?”
“An investigative journalist who writes forThe Citizen’s Eye. Eli Hill called.”
Without hesitation, Cannon said, “No.”
Capri frowned. “You don’t even know what he wants you to do yet.”
“I knowexactlywhat he wants, and I ain’t wit’ it. Reporters don’t listen, Cap. They insert their nosy asses in other folks’ business and don’t stop till they get themselves killed, tryna prove shit.”
Capri smirked. “You already know who he wants you to detail, huh?”
Cannon sighed and nodded.
Even when he wasn’t home, Cannon kept up with the news in his city, because everyone he cared about lived there. For the last few months, there was one byline that had shown up more than any other:Nahla Avery.
Cannon had never laid eyes on the woman, but after reading a few of her stories, he had determined two things: She was a damn good journalist, and she was nosy as hell.Miss Avery had a habit of stirring up things that most people in the city felt were best left buried. Cannon wasn’t surprised that she needed protection.
“That woman be chasing problems like they owe her money. I just know she collects a new enemy with every story she writes.”
“Yeah, but she’s exposing people and businesses that need exposing, Cane. I know you respect her work, because you’ve had issues with a few of the subjects of her stories.”
Capri was right about that. He hadn’t read a story of Nahla’s that he disagreed with, butstill. . .
“I can’t protect somebody like that, Cap,” Cannon said, shaking his head.
He made a point of staying away from jobs involving people who ran toward fire. People like that made it difficult for him to do his job because they insisted on not being protected. He could already picture her ass running from him at every turn, to chase a new lead.
Nah.
Once Cannon took on a job, he got deeply invested in the person’s safety, and he would be damned if Nahla Avery was going to be weighing on his conscience because she got herself hurt or, worse, for not taking her own safety seriously.
Capri sighed. “I’m sending you the file anyway. Mr. Hill says she’s traveling to Lyle for the weekend to follow up on a story about corrupt police or something. He’s worried and wants her to have subtle protection while she’s there.”
Cannon remained silent until he finished installing the camera. He then climbed off the ladder and stood in front of his sister’s desk. With folded arms, he tilted his head as he stared at her.
