Cannon (Savage Kings MC - South Carolina Book Series 5) by Lane Hart (simple ebook reader txt) 📕

the election is over, then maybe I’ll see if I can convince her to give me another chance.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Madison

It’s the day I’ve been waiting weeks for, ever since I decided to run for mayor. The journey hasn’t been easy. In fact, it nearly cost me my life, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve met a lot of people I never would have met if not for Cannon and the Savage Kings MC, which is why I sent Roman an invitation to my watch party tonight. I’m not sure if any of them will come, and I doubt Cannon will, but I hope he does.

Even after two weeks, he’s the first person I think about every morning when I wake up. Throughout the day he intrudes on my thoughts. And at night, well, that’s when I miss him the most and wish I was back in his house, not just with him but with Hannah and Conrad too.

The Eriksons have such a nice family, the kind that I always wished for as a kid. The kind I’ll never have with my parents, which makes me incredibly sad.

But today is not the day to be Debbie Downer. No, I need to be happy and optimistic. Bailey still hasn’t been arrested, but recent poll numbers have us neck and neck.

Until the polls close at seven, I’ll be standing outside polling places, handing out flyers with the last-minute reasons why they should vote for me and not the shady, fat man.

Lily and I are working together since I felt like I needed her there with me, not just for emotional support, but so I won’t look like a crazy woman harassing people. Veronica and Harlen are also going to be giving out handouts at other locations, all of us on rotating shifts to break up the day with a short, thirty-minute lunch break to put our feet up and eat a bite.

“There’s a couple incoming on your left,” Lily whispers as I get a handout ready and turn in their direction.

“Hi, I’m Madison Monroe and I’m running for mayor in the special election. I hope you’ll give me your vote to help the city reach its full potential.”

The woman takes the flyer from my hand and says, “Oh, we’re definitely voting for you. I can’t believe what that jerk called you on camera!”

“Great, thank you,” I tell her.

Her husband nods his agreement, and then they’re heading inside.

“Three little old ladies on your right,” Lily informs me.

“Good morning and thanks for coming out to vote so early today,” I tell them with a smile. They’re wrinkled and so frail that they’re walking with their arms interlocked as if they couldn’t manage the walk up the sidewalk on their own. “My name is Madison Monroe, and I’m –”

“We know exactly who you are,” the one in the middle says when she interrupts me, holding up her hand. “If it had been me who was attacked by two strangers in my home, I would’ve run for the hills! The city needs a strong, brave woman like you to lead us, not that slob of a mess who wants everyone to just do what he says.”

“Well, thank you,” I say in surprise.

“Keep your flyers for someone who needs convincing,” one of the other women says, and then they’re off, slowly but surely, to vote for me, so they say.

“Do you really think they’re all voting for me, or just telling me that so I won’t harass them?” I whisper to Lily.

“Yes, I think they really are,” she says.

And I really hope she’s right.

Cannon

“Before we adjourn this meeting, I just want to remind everyone that we expect you to go vote before the polls close at seven tonight. This shit is important, so make time. Hell, we could all go right now if you want?”

“Let’s do it,” I agree.

“Do you really think Bailey’s stupid ass will win?” Verek asks.

“That’s what we don’t know, and we can’t take that chance,” I tell him. “Even if he’s arrested, I’m not sure what the rules are about him serving. The last thing we want is him to win and have no fucks to give about how he comes after us.”

“True,” Roman says. “So, here’s hoping Madison wins and that we have our businesses back up and running in no time. Meeting adjourned.” He bangs his gavel, and everyone gets up to leave.

“I’m surprised you aren’t helping Madison today,” Roman says to me before I escape.

“I’ve called everyone I know, and I mean everyone, including the local women who put their name and number in my phone. That’s all I can do,” I tell him.

“Are you going to the watch party tonight? I got an invite for all of the Kings.”

“I don’t know.”

“She’ll either be ecstatic or devastated. Either way, I bet she’ll want you there, and you’ll want to be there for her,” Roman remarks.

“Why would she want me there? At first, I couldn’t believe she turned me down, but now I get it. She is too good for me. I’ll only drag her down.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. But we can’t choose who we love. Cut her some slack for having such bad taste.”

“It’s the truth,” I agree.

“I was just joking,” he says with a slap to my shoulder.

“Her staff person told Cannon to stay away from her until after the election,” Conrad butts in the conversation to add.

“That right?” Roman says. “So, you were staying away for her sake, not to make sure your fragile, little heart can’t be hurt.”

“Can you blame me? I don’t want her to reject me, which is exactly what’s going to happen sooner or later.”

Roman and Conrad exchange a look, and then Roman shakes his head. “Look, man, from what you told me, it sounds like the only person rejecting anyone was you, after you made love to the woman and then immediately pushed her away out of fear.”

“Make love?” Conrad repeats.

“His words, not mine,” Roman tells him as he points