Page 159 of Treason's Temptation
I joined him in the hallway, hands tucked inside his pockets like he was ready to use them, “I know you’re worried about Navie, but Sloane is too, and she’s trying to help.”
“That pussy has you delirious. Sloane is trying to help herself.”
“Watch your mouth!”
“Does Chelle know you’re here?” I asked, leaning against the wall before saying the quiet part out loud
“Don’t you have bigger problems to solve than worrying about my marriage?”
“No problem bigger than the alimony you’ll be paying Chelle if she finds out.”
“How will she find out?”
I shook my head. “You’re wildin’ for real.”
“I know,” Jaleb sighed, his hand washing over his face, looking as stressed as I felt. “I love my wife and the life we’ve built, but Sloane is addictive, a high that leaves you chasing more even when you knew it could ruin you. I know I shouldn’t be here, but I am here risking everything to feel it again. I didn’t want that for you. I have my family’s name to fall back on if things go wrong. You don’t Treason.”
“I’m out, and if you were smart, you’d leave with me.”
Jaleb didn’t care about being smart. Sloane had a hold on him, making even the reddest flags look green as he strolled in the opposite direction. There was nothing you could do for a man who didn’t want help, so I left.
Inside my car, the phone vibrated with an incoming call from Winston asking to meet. I agreed, after making sure June still had Selah. I hoped he wouldn’t be stupid enough to try me when I still had his daughter. To make sure, when I arrived at the old baseball field, where I played Little League, I observed him, waiting for ten minutes before I climbed out.
“You’re late, and what did you have on the Mayor?”
“Calling my mama almost got your daughter clapped. Don’t do that shit again,” I warned, ignoring his question.
He had a lot of balls calling my mother about the child he raised after neglecting hers.
“I know she’s the only person that can talk you out of making a bad situation worse,” he said, his tone clipped, as though I’d come to him begging, “I’m actually impressed how far you were willing to take this.”
“That past tense can turn present real quick. Make the fuckin’ call.”
Winston’s jaw flexed, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “For better or worse, you are my son. That’s the only reason you’re still breathing, but that only gets youonepass.”
“Don’t ever call my mother again. Shouldn’t be hard, since you’re good at leaving her.”
There was a silence between us, thick enough to choke on. He studied me, like he was staring into a mirror he hadn’t asked to look at. The same sharp edges, venom, and willingness to scorch everything in our path. But the truth sat heavy in my chest, even as he reached for the phone. Deep down, I knew I was more like him than I wanted to be.
“You can go pick her up,” he announced. “Now I want Selah home.”
“When I have Navie, I’ll send you an address.”
I didn’t trust him, and he didn’t trust me either, kissing his teeth as I climbed in the car.
Chapter 25
Ifelt helpless lying here with no idea what was going on outside these walls. When doubt crept in, I replayed our last conversation, but as day turned to night, the sound of his voice faded with hope. It didn’t help that I caught a glimpse of Sloane faking crying on Straight To The Pointe.
Then Treason managed to do what no other man ever did. He kept his word. Goldie was happy to see me go, knowing she kept me safe and stuffed with snacks. I was distracted while getting processed out, anticipating cameras waiting to snap pictures of my expression. Only this time, there was no photo op. Treason orchestrated my exit through a secured gate while the cameras were out front, listening to the police chief assume responsibility for being overzealous.
Treason’s eyes lingered, sharing that I was cleared of further investigation, then fell back on the road leading home. Stepping into the penthouse, I anticipated a flood of joy and excitement. The corners of my mouth didn’t turn, nor did my eyes water, thankful to be here and not in jail.
“Oh, hi, sweetheart.” Inez stepped forward, then froze, scanning me thoroughly.
“Hi.” I drew my head back enough to look at Tre, “Where’s Rayven?”
“I sent her and Rylo out with Ward so you could get settled.”
