Cannon (Carolina Reapers 5)

I sucked in a deep breath and let go of the grief I could feel building despite my mother still being here. Let go of the hurt from the pain my sister had caused. Let go of my father’s disapproval of Cannon, and slipped into the gown.

Mom buttoned the back, and as she fastened the last one and stepped out of the mirror’s view, I gasped. The sleeveless cream silk hugged my curves and pooled around my feet, the deep V showing a little of my skin, the delicate beadwork glistening under the light almost making me look like I had some inner glow.

This is the one.

The gown I’d wear down the aisle, Cannon at the end of it.

The picture was so clear in my mind like a movie I’d already seen. Him standing there in a tux, those sinfully dark eyes tracking my every step toward him, toward our future together. My heart swelled, each beat thudding with one singular truth.

I wanted to walk down that aisle toward Cannon.

I wanted to marry him, and no one else.

Till death do us part—not some agreed upon expiration date.

Forever.

Tears coated my eyes—not of fear or sadness, but of joy.

“That’s the one,” my mom said behind me, coming up to hug my shoulders.

I nodded, choking back the tears. Tears my mother thought were for the dress but were really for the realization snapping through my soul like a lightning strike.

Cannon Price was my forever.

Asher Silas: Just got verbal confirmation from Weston Rutherford for a sizable donation for the new charitable focus.

I excitedly read the text twice to make sure I’d read it correctly. Having a donation and support from the owner of the Raleigh Raptors—the NFL team Nathan Noble’s twin brother, Nixon played for—would be invaluable.

Me: That’s wonderful! Thank you! Are you at your monthly poker game now?

Asher Silas: Yes. Weston is having some drama with his QB but he’ll get confirmation on celebrity appearances as well soon.

I bit my bottom lip, not wanting to cross the line between friendship and business too much, but ultimately decided I couldn’t not ask.

Me: Is Nixon all right?

Asher Silas: Physically he’s in peak shape. It’s a media issue. Nothing too terrible.

Relief hit me upon hearing he was physically fine. Funny how being accepted into this Reaper family also afforded me an extended family as well. Sure, I didn’t know Nixon Noble as well as his brother Nathan, but that didn’t mean I didn’t care about him.

Me: Glad to hear it. You think you can rope Ethan Berkley in on this too?

I unabashedly sent the text—having the owner of the Charleston Hurricane’s support would be just as invaluable. Plus, Hudson Porter’s little brother played for the MLB team, so the connection had a family tie as well.

Asher Silas: I’m already working on him. I don’t see an issue. Simply hard to get much business done between the gossip and cards.

Me: LOL. Have fun. Leave them some money to donate!

Asher Silas: I’ll do my best.

I blew out a breath and settled into the plush chair situated in Cannon’s library. I had decided to wrap up a little work from here after dress shopping, and he was due home any minute. I had one phone call left to make, and I’d been putting it off for a good while.

Time to put my big-girl panties on.

I swallowed the nerves twisting my stomach, and dialed the number.

“Hello?” Lillian answered after a couple of rings. I could hear her son giggling in the background.

“Hello, Lillian, it’s Persephone.” My voice cracked slightly.

“Everything all right?”

“Yes, of course,” I hurried to answer. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You sound kind of nervous. Just wanted to make sure.”

“Well, I’m sorry to bother you, but I was hoping to ask you something.” I took a deep breath. “There is absolutely no pressure at all, and I will totally understand if you don’t feel comfortable…I know we don’t know each other that well. But, you see, I’d be so honored if you’d stand with me at the altar when I re-marry your brother.” The words came out in one long stream of consciousness. Normally I had the grace and poise strong and smooth enough to wrangle billionaires and their contributions, but speaking to Cannon’s sister? The most important person in his life? Not so much.

“Oh, wow,” she said. “Is that all? I’d love to.”

A breath rushed from my lungs. “Thank you. And, if it’s not too much trouble, we’d love Owen to be the ring bearer.”

“I’m sure we can handle that,” she said, but there was a hesitance in her tone that gave me pause.

“If you’re not comfortable with him in the wedding, it’s absolutely fine,” I said.

“That’s not it at all,” she said. “It’s just…”

I waited a few heartbeats, but she didn’t continue. “What is it, Lillian?”

“Well, you know I have to give you the sister speech now, right?”