Page 16 of Cannon

“If you’re asking if she’s my old lady, yes, she is. We have only just touched on the subject, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s already a done deal. It will just need to go through the Church to be official.”

There’re a few jeers, cheers and a little boot stomping that follows my revelation.

“Looks like I’ll have to book myself a good spot on the compound for my family home before you guys take all the best places,” Whack says, while giving us a grin.

“Got someone in mind to help with that, Pres?” I ask with a grin of my own.

“No one yet, but it’s only a couple of days since you were a confirmed bachelor, so there’s no saying when it might happen. Back to why we’re here. I think we need to get Barbara settled in here as a precaution. Cannon, you don’t go anywhere alone for the time being. That’s not up for debate, so shut it. You can organize Vortex to be your shadow. He doesn’t work in a business as yet, so he’s a spare brother for the time being.”

“Just a quick thought there on businesses, Pres,” says Bank. “I know this isn’t a full-on Church but as all the officers are here, we closed the deal on the bar property. We can let Fury and Mateo loose on their project now. They’ve been pestering me for news, so you can have the honor, Pres, of giving them that tidbit.”

“Okay, we’ll have Church soon and once the brothers have voted on it, they can get started. I’m sure Guardrail will be pleased with the news. He’s been hunting for more work to fill his construction crew’s schedule. So, this is how I want it to go from here on. Cannon, try to stay in as normal a routine as you can, with Vortex in tow. Bull, keep digging on Haroldson and let’s see if we can predict his next moves. Breaker and Griller, get word on the streets that we want to know anything and everything that is going down.”

Giving us all one last look, he ends the meeting, and I head for the bar. I need a drink and somewhere for my blue balls to calm down. Being dragged away from Barbara was bad enough, now having to have Vortex with me twenty-four-seven, I don’t know when we’ll be consummating our relationship. She is not going to take it well, either. Oh. I have to tell her she’s coming to live here for a while, so maybe the consummation won’t be such a problem.

Taking the pickup this morning, and Vortex, of course, who finds this highly amusing, I’m going to take Barbara to work but also tell her she’s moving into the clubhouse. I am not looking forward to this, not one bit.

Pulling up at her home, I tell Vortex to wait in the truck, to which he grins, gets out of the truck and follows me to the damn door. Not having a key, I knock and wait. Seeing the look I get when the door is flung open and Barbara stands there, arms folded across her chest, I realize that this is going to be far worse than anything I had imagined so far.

Before I get to say a word, Vortex spouts, “Morning, Missus Cannon. We’ve come to move you into the clubhouse.” He walks past her and she gives me the foulest look possible.

“Let me explain, Sweetheart…”

“Don’t you Sweetheart me, you big oaf. What happened to calling me last night? I was up all night worrying and waiting. I suppose you’ve told the whole world and their dog about us, too? Without me being present!”

Vortex walks past with a bag of what looks like garbage and dumps it out front for collection, then walks back inside. I, meanwhile, am still standing at the door, never having been allowed entry.

“There’s a problem that could involve you, and we want to keep you safe so that means moving, temporarily, into my room at the clubhouse…”

“Your room? Your room? Oh no, I don’t think so, buddy boy. That’s not happening. You can’t spare me a phone call, so you don’t get to share a bed with me.” Barbara is almost spitting words at me now, and I still haven’t progressed from the doorstep when Vortex walks by again, this time with two garbage bags.

“Why is he putting garbage bags in the back of your pickup?” Barbara asks, looking past me.

Without turning around, I tell her I have no idea. Pushing me out of the way, Vortex smiles at Barbara and offers her his hand. She takes it and then suddenly squeals as he throws her over his shoulder and starts to walk down her front yard. Shouting to me over his shoulder, “Lock the damn door already and let’s get this show on the road.”

Taking the keys from the side table just inside the hallway, I slam the door shut and rush to the pickup. Climbing inside, I see Barbara in the back, fuming, and Vortex grinning at me from the passenger seat.

“There. That wasn’t so difficult, was it?” He smiles at Barbara and then me. “Well? What are you waiting for? Clubhouse first, and then we’ll drop Missus Cannon off at work.”

“I am not Missus Cannon. Stop calling me Missus Cannon.”

“What should I call you then, as we’ve not been formally introduced?” Vortex is loving this, and I know that it will come back on me in the long run.

“Barbara. My name is Barbara, or Miss Thomas. It is most certainly not Missus Cannon. You will need to turn around so I can get some things from the house if I’m going to be imprisoned at your clubhouse.”

“Everything you could possibly want is in those bags beside you. I took the liberty of packing while you were discussing the finer details.” Vortex tips his head as he smiles at her.

“I’ll need my wash things, change of underwear, personal women's items, not just jeans and tees.” She spits this at him and, oh my God, he gives an evil grin. I know what’s coming before he says it and guess what her reaction is going to be.

“All packed and sorted, Barbara Miss Thomas. All packed and sorted.” He ducks just in time as she launches a punch at his head.

Hearing a loud click, I see her make a grab for him as she unclips her seatbelt. He turns and grabs her hands as she tries to reach his throat, or his eyes, hair, or anything she can get hold of. They are still squabbling like a pair of siblings when I pull up outside the clubhouse.

I jump out, grab the bags from the backseat, and head inside. As I walk through the doors, I hear Barbara squeal again, and knowing what’s coming, I hold the door open. All eyes turn to me as I stand there and I just shrug. I notice that all the old ladies are here, presumably grabbing breakfast, and they all jump up when Vortex walks in, Barbara over his shoulder. He walks straight past them and to my room. I follow along, meekly I might add, the women behind me. Vortex plops Barbara onto the bed, smiles, and leaves. I dump the bags on the floor and am literally shooed out of the room by the old ladies.

I’m getting out of Dodge while the going’s good. If she goes to work after all this, someone else can have that pleasure!

Chapter 10