Page 167 of Treason's Temptation
“Wow, you have to get paid to hang with me, now?” Rayven countered.
Rylo hit her with his elbow, “Shhh, girl! You’re fuckin’ with my money.”
“Later. I’m good for it,” I replied, checking the time on my watch.
“You better be. I know where you live,” Rylo threatened while Rayven waved before they walked back into the building.
We climbed in the car, Navie adjusting the seat to her comfort before driving us to the campaign office. After parking, we walked inside, holding hands, only dropping them when I opened the doors. Fallon sat on the far side of the couch with a bunch of papers scattered around her.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” I replied, while Navie didn’t say anything. I warned her to be on her best behavior.
“Your tea and muffin are on the desk.”
“Thanks,” I said as I sat on the edge of the desk, anticipating Navie sitting where she always did during strategy meetings —at my desk. I picked up the tea and nudged the muffin toward her. “That’s yours.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, slowly watching my face contort as I sipped the tea. “Stop being a baby. It’s not that bad.”
“It’s not that fuckin’ good either.”
“Fine, keep pumping your heart with caffeine and energy drinks,” she shrugged, trying to figure out how the hell I knew cranberry muffins were her favorite. Rayven gave me a complete rundown after Navie told her she was keeping the baby.
“Can’t. I have somebody to live for now,” I smirked, with a wink that made her pussy jump. “How’s it looking?”
“Your numbers have dipped. With the election around the corner, the next few weeks will be busy for everybody.”
“Schedule whatever you need to around Blue’s appointments.”
“It’s fine. I doubt anything important happens in the next few weeks,” Navie conceded.
“Block out the appointments. What’s next?” I asked because it wasn’t up for debate. Unless something drastic happened, I wasn’t missing an appointment.
“We need to change the narrative. Lorenzo Strathmore’s history in this city has people torn on how they feel about Navie.That makes them unsure about you,” Fallon gasped, and I knew it was more to her statement.
“But.”
“I have an idea, but it’s risky. The list is still lingering. We need to shut it down so we can win the election.”
The door opened, and in walked her idea, with Jaleb trailing like the puppy Sloane had accused me of being.
“What is she doing here?” Navie asked, pushing her heels into the floor.
“Sloane is part of the problem. She has to be a part of the solution, or people will continue to speculate,” Fallon reasoned.
“You just love being the center of attention, don’t you?” Navie sneered.
“I didn’t ask to be here,” Sloane groaned.
“Then leave,” Navie responded.
“I called her here,” Jaleb spoke up.
“Are you paying her like you tried to do to me?” Jaleb grimaced at Navie’s admission, “That night at dinner. He offered me money to take Sloane and leave. I guess paying off people runs in the family.”
“Watch it, little girl,” Sloane threatened.
“I’m not a little girl anymore who aimlessly follows your bullshit, Sloane.”
