Cannon (Carolina Reapers 5)

After the plates had been cleared, Logan tapped his knife against his champagne flute, rising from his seat as all eyes fell on him. “I believe it’s my turn to make a toast,” he said, the room quieting. My stomach clenched at the happiness in his eyes. “I was shocked and honored when Cannon asked me to be one of his best men.” He grinned at the Reaper table behind him, packed with the men I’d come to think of as family. “As you know, he had many to choose from.” A collective laugh from the crowd. “Those who come to know Cannon will understand his fierce loyalty to his friends and his teammates, his true family. And I can tell you that Persephone fit right into that family, from that very first day she came crashing into our world. And we’re all so grateful that Cannon was quick enough to catch her.”

A smaller group of laughter, for those close enough to know that I’d literally fallen into Cannon’s arms the first time we’d met. He’d caught me on instinct as if he’d already been prepared to protect me before he’d met me.

“Cannon, you’re one of my best friends, my brother on the ice, and one of the scariest yet most compassionate people I know.” Logan raised his glass. “I wish you and your lovely bride the very best in the long, long years to come.”

The crowd clapped and raised their glasses as well, and tears pooled into my eyes. Logan’s genuine love for his friend stung every inch of my heart. I was a fool. A damned fool for letting it get this far. For thinking my love would be enough for both of us. For thinking he’d want to stay in this marriage with me after…after everything. Now it wouldn’t only be me and mine who were hurt, but all of us. Our family. His family.

“Now it’s time for the sister of the bride to say a few words,” My father announced, and a new wave of panic hit me. I didn’t think Anne had wanted to do a toast, let alone prepare one. I certainly hadn’t asked her to.

“Thank you,” she said as she stood to the claps of the people around her. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, the move as sharp as a razor. “My sweet, perfect sister,” she said, and I swallowed hard. “You were the best in school, the best in all your extracurriculars, and well, just about the brightest star this town has ever seen.” Some awws came from the crowd, but cold fear licked my spine. “It’s safe to say that my perfect sister Persephone has never once made a real mistake in her entire life.” She raised her glass toward me, and I couldn’t help but feel like she aimed some sort of weapon at me with the way her eyes sharpened. “But let’s be real for a second,” she continued. “We’re all human. Everyone makes mistakes. And Persephone has finally joined the human crowd and made one. Because we all know why we’re truly here.” She glanced around at the confused faces, a smirk of pure delight on her face, the glaze of a few too many drinks coating her eyes.

Cannon’s hand found mine under the table, a steady comfort in an otherwise raging sea.

“A bottle of Ambien,” she said, laughing loudly and showing a bit of shock when no one joined her. “I mean, come on,” she pressed. “These two?” She shook her head. “Never ever ever would’ve happened if it weren’t for that mistake in Vegas.”

I squeezed Cannon’s hand harder.

My father bolted from his seat, ushering Anne off the floor.

“Congrats!” she bellowed as he guided her from the room.

Lillian popped up from her seat, grabbing the abandoned microphone from my sister’s table. “Well,” she said. “Sisters. I’m pretty sure wanting to murder them and hug them in the span of a breath comes in the title description, am I right?” The crowd laughed, happy to have a different person to focus on. “I’m sure what she meant to say was that you two are amazing together, and we all wish you the absolute best.” She glanced around the room. “Who wants to dance?” She waved her hand where the DJ had set up in the corner of the ballroom, and soon, music filtered through the speakers.

The dancefloor filled and drinks were poured and little desserts were offered on silver trays by waiters that flowed in and out of the room.

I let go of Cannon’s hand, pushing away from the table. Needing to escape for a moment or a lifetime, I wasn’t sure.

I hated that my sister had put a voice to one of Cannon’s fears. Had breathed life into something I’d been trying desperately to quash. And I knew I was strong, knew I had to be to love a man like Cannon, but I didn’t know how much fight I had left in me.