Page 56 of Treason's Temptation
“That story was stupid and boring. I saved all of our asses out there, and I haven’t heard a thank youyet.”
“Thank you?” He barked, our foreheads nearly touching, “We’re supposed to be in this together, but you got out there and said fuck me!”
“By telling a better story! Are you mad that I did your job better than you?”
“I’m not mad about shit, but you will be if you keep playing. Don’t ever get it twisted because Ichooseto be easy with you.”Treason grabbed my wrist, similar to the way Lorenzo used to when I tried to ignore his tantrums, looking at me with the same hate in his eyes, “I can easily be twice as cold.”
The second his hand closed around my wrist, my whole body betrayed me. Heat rushed to my face, but the rest of me went cold. My chest tightened, lungs forgetting how to work. Treason’s mouth was moving, but my pulse pounded so loud in my ears it drowned out his voice.
His eyes cut through the haze, confused, like he was trying to read a language he didn’t understand. I felt his grip loosen, hesitation creeping in where his anger had been. That was my opening. I yanked back, putting space between us. I rushed down the hallway.
I heard Fallon telling him to let me go in the distance while I closed myself in the bedroom. Wringing my hands, I paced the floor trying to calm my nervous system while they discussed me going rogue.
I wasn’t Navie anymore—the sharp-tongued, fiery woman who gave him hell every chance I got. I was small again. Powerless, my wrist throbbed from memory while I prayed it passed.
Then Treason’s knuckles tapped the door. He pushed it open, reminding me of what I already knew.
“I’m going to the office. I’ll be home late.”
“WithThandie? Are you fuckin’ her?” I snapped, my voice sharp enough to hide the tremor I still felt inside.
“I’m not fuckin’anybody.” Treason was always intentional with his words. He meant he wasn’t fucking Thandie just like he wasn’t fuckin’ me. “That interview has you hot, but you need to calm your ass down.”
“No blindsiding. That’s what you said,Jordan. You haven’t uttered her name to me, but she’s been blowing you up. It was her you were arguing with the other day!”
Treason stepped further inside the room. “Don’t play that shit with me when I can’t get a straight answer out of you about Lorenzo.”
“I agreed to play your little game, but that doesn’t entitle you to every detail of my past! It won’t hurt the campaign, and that’s all that matters.”
“You better fuckin’ hope not,” Treason gritted.
“I’ll be home late, too. I’m going out with Rylo.”
Treason shrugged, “Fuck you telling me for? I’m not entitled to every detail of your life, but word to the wise. Don’t get a nigga hurt because you wanna play games tonight,” then walked out, closing the door a lot lighter than he did the first time.
I buried my face in the pillow and screamed, trying to figure out why I brought up Thandie. She didn’t matter, but the comment still forced its way out. Some people stress-eat or nap, but I was a stress showerer, so I climbed inside and tried to wash away the stress from my skin.
Dressed in a towel, I put together a cute outfit and dressed for a night out. Ready to ignore my problems, I grabbed my purse and walked out to find Ward sitting on the couch.
“Are you serious?”
“Take it up with your man.”
“I’d rather not.”
“I’m not staying. Just making sure you get there and back without getting a DUI. That would be bad business,” Ward explained.
“Right,” I scoffed, “DidDadleave me spending money too?”
Ward laughed because he knew I was being facetious, but in typical Tre fashion, he had that covered, too. Ward nodded to the perfect stack of bills on the table.
“Asshole,” I mumbled, my nostrils flaring at Treason being funny, but there was something comforting about him making sure I was taken care of, even in his anger.
“Let’s ride. You look like you need a drink.”
“A drink? I need about five dealing with your friend,” I complained, snatching the money and following him to the elevator.
“From what I hear, you’re not that easy yourself.”
