Page 185 of Treason's Temptation
Following her eyes across the room, Jazmeen’s vacant eyes bore into us. She was also friends with Evina, who’d just waddled in, sadness marred her features.
“That’s Jazmeen.”
“She needs to get over it. He wasn’t even her biological father. She was never smelling that money.”
“Lean back over to your seat. I don’t want to get hit if God strikes you down.”
“God knew Vivian was a whore before she knew herself. We’re safe,” Sloane said, tapping my arm.
Shaking my head, Daige and I chatted along with the rest of the room while members trickled into the room, including Yassah. She didn’t linger too long out of loyalty to Michelle, who was noticeably absent. The traffic died down, and Sloane began looking around the room.
“Let’s get this meeting started. What cause are we fake caring about today?” Sloane’s voice echoes through the room.
Sloane might’ve been annoying, but she was right. Today’s agenda was a waste of everyone’s time. The pressing issues were privileges that people outside of this room could only dream of. I had nothing else to do but drink water because I honestly didn’t care enough to pretend. Now, Gummy Bear was pressing on my bladder.
“Can you keep an eye on her while I use the bathroom?” I asked, leaning into Daige.
She nodded, and I shot Sloane a warning before excusing myself to the bathroom. After relieving myself, I stepped out of the stall to wash my hands, but I was distracted by Treason’s text.
Stink: You good?
Me: Been away an hour and already missing me?
Stink: I always miss you.
Smiling at his insane response, Evina pushed through the door, sadness and anger filling her eyes, frozen in time. I cast a slight glance at her protruding belly before tapping the lever. I don’t know if she was expecting me to say something or was unsure what to say herself, but I washed my hands while she stared.
“Is he alive?”
Scrubbing my hands together, I ignored her question. His family was still pleading for help on every platform. Even Evina appeared on the news, begging the public for help, as if he was worth the energy they gave.
“I just,” she paused, snapping her lids shut before swallowing her emotions, “I feel like I’m going crazy. I don’t have any answers, and trying to find them creates more anxiety. Then I start thinking worst-case scenarios, and it’s so draining, leaving you feeling restless and unable to focus on anything except what if,” she rambled, running her hands through her hair. “I just need to know. Please!”
I couldn’t imagine the turmoil of constantly wondering what if, but helping Evina would put my own family in jeopardy, and I wasn’t that selfless.
“I don’t know why you keep asking me questions about your husband. For the last time, I don’t know what happened or where he is.”
A partial truth. I wished Lorenzo the hell he deserved, so it never occurred to ask Tre what happened. The less I knew, the better, and he never volunteered any information.
“You were the love of his life!” She blurted out in haste as the door opened and Sloane stepped inside, “It pains me to admit it, but it’s the truth. I saw it every time you popped up at an event or on television. I just know he wouldn’t have run off without seeing you first. Which makes me believe he’s-,” Evina couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, but I knew what she meant.
“Your husband and my ex aren’t the same man.My exis a monster that doesn’t love anyone, not even himself.My exbeat my ass because the sky was blue.My exisn’t a noble husband and soon-to-be father who deserves my energy. I honestly don’t give a fuck where he is or what happened, so stop asking.”
Shouldering past Evina, I left the bathroom, returning to my seat with Sloane behind me. She gave me a look of concern, lowering back into her seat, but didn’t press the issue. Instead, she directed her energy to jumping into the conversation to annoy everybody.
Even in death, I couldn’t escape Lorenzo. My hand instinctively landed on my stomach, eager to forget all the day’s stress and have dinner with my man. Sloane was mid-rant and still managed to catch me from the corner of her eye, bringing me back to the reality that only a small group of people knew this baby existed.
Adjusting my posture, I crossed my legs and suffered through until Zora dismissed the room. After a brief conversation with Zora Taylor, Sloane and I left so I could drop her off and enjoy lunch with Daige.
“Why are you looking all sad?” She asked in the car.
“I’m not.”
“You are, and I hope it’s not about Evina. Don’t let her get to you. Sometimes karma hits you, and sometimes it hits the people you love. That’s the game. Hell, Treason, did her and that kid a favor.”
“Did you just give him a compliment?”
“That’s what you took from what I said?” Sloane cut her eyes. “He did something for you that I didn’t. I’m sorry.”
