He looked at her with a frown. “It’s Mace.”
“Come here, La,” Cannon said calmly.
He could see the concern in her face, and it was likely because of the frown on his. He didn’t anticipate a problem. He and Mace didn’t have any bad blood that Cannon knew about, but he hadn’t seen Mace in several years. People changed, and if he were on some bullshit, Cannon would handle it.
Once Nahla moved away from the front door and joined Capri and Cannon behind the desk, he slowly pressed the button that unlocked the door. Seconds later, Mace walked in with a smile.
“Wassup, brother? You don’t call, you don’t write,” Mace said, walking in further.
“What’s good, Mace? Long time,” Cannon replied, walking around the desk and approaching him. As if they’d seen each other yesterday, they greeted each other with the same handshake they’d done since middle school then ended it with a brotherly hug.
Once they released each other, Cannon asked, “What the hell are you doin’ here?”
Before Mace could reply, Capri emerged from behind the desk.
“Mace?”
Mace focused on her, and the look he gave Capri had Cannon ready to punch the shit out of him.
“Cap,” he said with a smirk. “You done grown up.”
Cannon glanced at his sister. He now wanted to snatch her up because of how hard her light, bright ass was blushing.
She kissed her teeth and said, “Andyougrew old.”
“Old? Girl, please, I’m in my prime,” he said.
Capri opened her mouth to reply, but Cannon cut her off.
“Nigga, what the fuck you doin’ here?” he asked, making Mace laugh again.
In true Mace fashion, he completely ignored Cannon’s aggression and clowned him instead. Looking at Capri again, he said, “Aye, Cap, why you ain’t got this nigga in therapy yet? Mean ass still got attitude problems.”
Capri, Mace, and Nahlaall started to laugh, which did nothing to help Cannon’s mood. Nahla was the next one to join the group.
Capri looked at her and said, “La, this is Mace, Cannon’s oldest and best friend. They were joined at the hip until Cane left the service.”
Nahla’s brows lifted. “Oh! You’re a marine, too?”
Cannon broke up the pleasantries by wrapping an arm around Nahla’s shoulders and saying, “Y’all ’bout to piss me off, ignoring me and shit.”
Mace kissed his teeth. “Crybaby ass. I got discharged, man. I had been wanting out but needed to complete my term of service. The last mission I was on just about took me out, and my superiors granted me my discharge earlier than expected. My mama is sick and shit, and since my pops ain’t here no more, I’m all she got. Long story short, I’m home, nigga.”
Cannon felt bad instantly. He had no idea Mace’s father had died. After his dishonorable discharge and all the mess that came with it, Cannon cut that part of his existence completely out. That part included his oldest friend, who didn’t deserve to be exiled from his life.
“I didn’t know your pops died, man. I’m sorry, for real.”
“I’m sorry, too, Mace. I had no clue,” Capri said softly.
Mace sighed. “Yeah, it’s been a couple of years now, but I try not to dwell on it. Look, though. The first thing I did when I made this move was look you up. You got out and went ghost, but it looks like you’re doin’ big shit, Cane,” Mace said, looking around the large office building.
“Yeah, we gettin’ by.”
Mace scoffed. “Gettin’ by? You know I know people, andpeoplebe talkin’ aboutPorter Protects. You’ve been all over the country with this shit, man. From what I heard, you’re damn near running your own Homeland Security over here.”
Capri rolled her eyes. “I wish. If Cannon would just let me hire more security professionals, we could be way bigger than we are.”
Cannon shook his head. “I’on care about size. I care about efficiency. Plus, I’on be trustin’ niggas.”
