Cannon (A Step Brother Romance #3)

I pause for a minute when I reach the door, Addy behind me. "You sure the Wicked Bitch isn't lying?" I ask.

Addy rolls her eyes. "I forgot you used to call her that. I haven't heard anyone say that in years. No, of course I'm not sure. But you know it's true – remember, it used to always go out when it downpoured. It was one of the things you hated about being up here."

I exhale loudly. I turn around, my back against the door. "Being stuck here doesn't change anything, you know," I whisper. "I still intend to make you come on my cock tonight."

Addy's face flushes red, and I feel pleased with myself. "Who calls you Cannon?" she asks. "Girlfriends? Is it girlfriends?"

I laugh, opening the door and letting us inside, where we're immediately greeted by the Wicked Bitch herself, walking down the hallway. "I can't believe the two of you," she hisses. "Embarrassing yourselves like that. And humiliating your father and I. This dinner was about business, Addison Stone, and since you apparently don't think enough about your future to care about business deals, I'm left doing that for you."

"It didn't look like business, Mother," Addy says, her voice clipped. "It looked like a blind date. Not that I asked you to set me up with anyone. Did you ever think that might be awkward for me?"

"Why would it be awkward? Are you and Jared back together? You are, aren't you? Jesus Christ, Addison, he's such a PR nightmare."

"I'm not back with anyone, Mother," she says, sighing. "Can I just go get changed? Are there any clothes here I can change into?"

"I don't know why the two of you left dinner and went running around outside in the rain," Wendy says, turning and walking down the hallway. We follow her, and I note how much inside the house has changed since I was here last. Everything has been redecorated, modern and clean and devoid of charm. It fits Addy's mother. "I'll have the maid bring you some dry clothes. Honestly, what on earth did the two of you have to talk about out in the downpour?"

"I was telling Addy why everyone took to calling me Cannon after I left home," I say. Beside me, Addy chokes. She tries to cover it up by coughing several times, but her face is red.

"See? You caught your death out there, and now you're taxing your voice by coughing. I'll have the maid bring you up some hot tea. I wouldn't think telling Addison about your middle name would warrant running around outside like a couple of lunatics. Besides, didn't you ride around in tanks or something? It seems like an obvious thing to call you. I mean, you're a soldier."

"I was a Marine, Wendy," I correct her, irritation in my voice. "Actually, it was a long story that was hard to tell." I emphasize the words, hoping the innuendo is clear to Addy, and by the way she's practically doubled over now, I can see it is. I can't tell if she's laughing or coughing or dying of embarrassment.

The Wicked Bitch rolls her eyes. "I told the Colonel that hiring you wasn't a smart idea. Leaving the table at dinner was unconscionable. I'm so angry with you I can hardly stand to look at you."

If she could hardly speak, it would be a hell of a lot better.

She dismisses us with a gesture. "Go," she says. "You're in your old rooms – they're guest rooms now. But you can find your way. The Bentons are staying in the guest house. You'll have an opportunity to redeem yourselves in the morning."

Addy nods. "Whatever you say, Mother." She's up the stairs quickly, glad, I'm sure, to get out from under her mother's penetrating gaze.

The Wicked Bitch narrows her eyes at me. "Addy is a disaster," she says. "Constantly sabotaging herself at every turn."

"The only thing that's close to a disaster I've seen is you and my father's meddling in her life," I say.

The Wicked Bitch smiles smugly. "You've always had a soft spot for her, haven't you?" she asks. "You've always been blind where she's concerned. I told your father that, and he insisted you were different. The Marines have changed him, he said. He's responsible. Trustworthy. Addy's always looked up to him. And you've been back in her life for all of what, a minute? You think you know her?"

"She's twenty-two," I say, "She's not seventeen. You're her manager and that's it. You don't run her life. And from where I stand, she's done a good job of that."

Addy's mother laughs. "She nearly lost her record deal," she says. "And you know nothing. You think she's not texting that boyfriend of hers? Or sneaking around with him? Ask her about it. You think you have a handle on her? She's charming you the way she does everyone else."

Anger rushes through me at the idea of Addy being with anyone, much less the douchebag ex-boyfriend who'd better not be in the picture, so help me God. "You don't think I'm doing my job? Fire me."

"I'm not going to fire you," the Wicked Bitch says. "That would make her rebel even more. But you're going to keep me apprised of what's going on. I'm her manager. I need to know."

"Every detail," I say, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Should I make you know what she eats and what time she takes a shit? I can send photos if you like."