Breaking Cannon

32.

Maddox POV

For the first time in a very long time, I feel okay.

The ache in my chest is still there, but bearable. The moment I realized that Jax would be mad if I spiraled, everything changed. I'm going to do everything that we promised to do together. I'll make him proud.

We laughed and laughed as I drove while Cannon drew small, lazy circles on my thigh. We pulled over and made out heavily because neither of us seemed to be able to get enough of each other. I really missed this. The hurt and pain we've been through gone and just loving each other left.

I love him.

We pull up to the house and are immediately met with yelling. We both tense and hop out of the car. Cannon pulls two guns out of the glovebox and hands one to me. I take it and we both head towards the yelling.

We round the corner and see Calen having a screaming match with an older man. He's tall and build. His black hair and grey eyes remind me eerily of Cannon. Calen's fist are clenched so hard that his knuckles turn white. His face is red and the vein in his neck is standing out.

"What the fuck are you doing here? You are not welcome. Leave now." He yells.

I turn towards Cannon, searching for answers. I look at him and his entire body is rigid. Like stone. His face has gone completely white and his breathing is erratic.

"Hey, who is that?" I ask him.

Before he can answer, the man turns his head and makes eye contact with Cannon. This is the first time I've ever seen him not be able to maintain eye contact. He looks to the floor as his breathing picks up. Without a word, he walks to the house. I go to Calen, searching for answers. The man gets to me first and extends a hand.

"Hello, I'm Henry. Cannon's father."

My vision immediately goes red. I look at Calen, completely dumbfounded. Without thinking, I swing my fist up at him. It connects with his cheek and my knuckles split, but I don't care.

The things he did to Cannon. He deserves to die.

He chuckles and grabs his cheek.

"Well, I can see why he likes you."

"Get. Out." I growl. He looks at me, the same anger that Cannon has taking over his face. I'm not scared. This man is the biggest coward on the face of this Earth. He steps towards me and I match his energy.

"You don't know me, so let me enlighten you. I'm not afraid of child beaters or molesters. I grew up with one. You are all the same. Disgusting lowlifes who would be better off burning in hell."

I look him directly in the eye, standing my ground. He raises his hand to slap me, when Calen is there in an instant. He steps in front of me, catches his hand and knocks him clean out.

"Go find Cannon. I'll deal with this asshole."

I nod and run to the house. I bound up the stairs and into the bedroom. I open the door to find multiple holes in the wall. A lamp has been thrown across the room and now lays in pieces on the floor. I walk towards the bathroom and try the doorknob. It's locked.

"Cannon? Baby let me in."

I hear ragged breathing on the other side.

"I'm so sorry this happened."

Still nothing.

"I punched him." I say looking down at my bleeding knuckles.

I hear movement and the door opens. Cannon stands with a tight jaw. A hint of amusement crosses his face.

"You did?" He rasps and I nod me head. He grabs my face and kisses me. He pulls away and rests his forehead to mine.

"Thank you." He whispers.

"I'd punch the whole world for you."

He lets out a throaty laugh.

"I don't doubt it."

We sit on the bed while I rub his back. He pulls me onto his lap and leans his head in the crook of my neck.

"I hate that I froze like that. I just never thought I'd see him again. What the hell does he want?"

"I don't know." I admit. "But Calen knocked him out, so he's still here. I can wait for him to come to and then force him out?"

Cannon shakes his head.

"No, my love. It may be important. I'll talk to him. Can we just stay like this for a while?"

I nod and continue to hold the brute of a man.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in." Cannon says. 

Calen walks in.

"I'm sorry. I tried to get rid of him before you could see. He's on the couch right now."

"Don't be sorry. Thank you for trying." Cannon says. With that, Calen leaves and we continue to sit. My mind is running 100 miles an hour. Is this some sort of trap for Cannon? What does he want? How do I get rid of him?

We can kill him.

Believe it or not, killing is not always the answer.

Yes it is.

No.

Yes.

My thoughts are interrupted by a light snore. I look and Cannons face is relaxed. His eyes closed as his lashes brush his cheeks. His chiseled face is now calm. I move us so that I'm laying on my back and he wraps his strong arms around my torso and lays his head on my chest. We'll figure this out. But for now, I'll hold him.