Page 134 of Treason's Temptation
“Coming to dinner with my daughter and son-in-law.”
“Let’s chill on the in-law talk. Please,” I scolded.
“Well, you let him trap you. Might as well.”
“Enough. It’s time to go.”
“Yeah, inside.” She walked around me, smiling and waving at the cameras lining the sidewalk.
The paparazzi made it impossible to shut SloNe out. As much as I wanted her gone, it wasn’t worth the headlines. Treason had enough heat on him, and he knew it, too.
“What is she doing here?” he whispered in my ear, walking inside.
“Being Sloane,” I groaned, regretting my slip of the tongue earlier, “This is Fallon’s doing, by the way. She told Sloane we needed help.”
An older woman rushed over, embracing Treason with a hug.
“It’s so good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too, Josephine.”
“And who is this beauty?” Josephine asked.
“Navie Dixon. This is Dr. Josephine Langston,” he introduced.
“Thank you for having us,” I replied, extending my hand, but Josephine pulled me in for a hug that made Treason chuckle.
“Of course. Treason is like family, so you are too. If you needanything, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Ambitious men are never easy.”
“What was that?” A deep voice rounded the corner, and Josephine traded my arm for his.
“This is my husband, Russell,” She smiled, winking at me in a way that had Treason eying me. Then her smile vanished as Sloane walked over, “I see you’ve brought a guest.”
“I brought myself,” Sloane sneered, so Josephine was clear.
My eyes flipped between their venomous looks and anger churning. Tension this deep wasn’t about Sloane crashing their fancy dinner. It couldn’t be.
“Then you should take yourself home,” Josephine demanded.
“Not until my daughter goes home. I know howy’allget down.”
“She doesn’t need a chaperone,” Josephine spat.
“Y’all judging her like we’re in a court of law. That’s all this dinner is about anyway. So get on with it,” Sloane urged, planting her flag in the sand.
Treason and I had become the side characters in our own show as Josephine waved us along. The rest of the Langston clan was scattered around the room, including my initial target, Russell, and his wife, Kelly. I wasn’t sure if she was a good actor or had no clue about his secret life.
“Would you like a drink? Josephine offered, while Treason watched to see how I would handle the question.
“No, thank you.”
“Are you sure? They have the best red wine. Plus, I know how stressful families can be,” Josephine smiled, nudging me with her elbow.
“I know you have a hard time comprehendingno, but you better offer that glass to someone else before it’s at your throat.” Sloane swooped in, taking the glass intended for me.
Michelle’s angry footsteps echoed, leaving the room while mumbling obscenities. Jaleb shot Sloane a glare, finishing off his drink before following his wife. Suddenly, Sloane’s excuse seemed like bullshit. She wasn’t here for me at all.
It seemed like everybody at the table was an Academy Award-winning star, Treason included. He conversed, occasionally winking at me in between sips of wine. Michelle struggled the most, her leg bouncing while shooting daggers at Sloane.
