Breaking Cannon

6.

Maddox POV

The week went by quickly.

Mine and Jax's days consisted of going to school and avoiding getting too roughed up by my dad at home. We normally went to Jax's friend's house to escape for a little. But he's out of town so we're stuck here this week.

The screaming in the house got intense, so I decided to go on a walk to visit my mothers grave. I slip out easily without anyone noticing. It's easy to do when both guardians are too obsessed with themselves to give a shit about anyone else.

Walking down the street, I held my arms close to my body. It was a particularly cold November day, and I had forgotten my jacket. I do a quick scan of my surroundings, because you know, female walking alone in America, and I notice a black SUV nearby. Strange. I continue to walk to the cemetery, picking up my pace a little. I check to see if the car is still close by, and to my relief, it's not. I breathe out a sigh of relief and turn into the cemetery.

Madeleine Ann Sharp. That's all her tombstone reads. I begged my father to have more engraved but apparently it "wasn't worth the money. No one would come visit anyway". She deserved more. So much more. I sit by her and start to talk. I tell her about everything going on and by the end, I'm a blubbering mess. I refuse to let anyone see me cry, but my mom is different. She used to let me sob for hours without a hint of judgement. She was just that kind of person.

I'm not sure how long has passed, but I know that they're bound to notice my absence sooner or later. I wipe my tears, kiss the tombstone and stand up.

I turn to walk away and am immediately met with a wall of black. I look up and see Cannon staring directly down at me. I back up as quickly as I can and look for something I can defend myself with.

"Nothing out here will help you" he says, as if he's reading my mind.

"It hasn't been a week yet. What are you doing here?" I demand. He meets my gaze and takes a second before answering. Almost like he's trying to gauge whether or not to shoot me where I stand.

"Hm. You're brave. I'll give you that." Cannon says. "I got a call that there was a conflict at your house."

All of a sudden, the black SUV I saw makes sense. The fucker was watching me.

"You're a fucking creep you know that?" I spit. "You wasted your time. There's a 'conflict' everyday at my house." I say, glaring up at him.

"My men just heard someone getting beat" he states.

I don't respond as my feet start hitting the ground, carrying me to the house. Jax is home.

I feel a very strong arm grab me and pull me back. I fight against him "Let me go. Now." I scream.

"I can do that. Or I can drive you back. Your choice" he says as he walks back to his car. I stare at him warily, very aware that this could all be a trick and he would actually take me the second I got into the vehicle.

"If I wanted to kidnap you, I would've done it while you were bawling those pretty little eyes out."

I don't know what's more annoying. The fact that he thinks he can do what he wants, or the fact that he seemingly can read minds.

Without another thought, I leap into the car and we drive off.

The entire car ride, I'm riddled with anxiety. My leg bounces up and down as we near the house.

"Can you drive any faster?!" I yelled at his driver.

The driver looks in the rear view window, silently asking Cannons permission. He simply gives one nod. Never looking up from his phone.

That pisses me off. His utter indifference towards potential human suffering is enough for me to snap.

I'm about to say something, when we pull into the driveway. I jump out before the car can even come to a full stop. I dash up the porch steps and throw the door open.

Jax is curled up on the floor covered in blood while my father whips him mercilessly. I dive towards him in an attempt to shield his body with my own.

"Stop!" I screech. "You're going to ki-"

My sentence is cut short as I feel the whip rip through my own skin. Again and again I feel the whip sear into my skin.

Just as I'm about to lose consciousness, I see Cannon storm in. We make eye contact as he heads towards me. The whipping stops as I hear shuffling where my dad stood. I'm vaguely aware of hands on me as my vision goes blurry and then dark.