Page 65 of Treason's Temptation
“Victor might not mind your hand up his ass, but I’ll never be a puppet. Especially for you.”
“You think Jaleb Langston is funneling millions to your campaign out of the kindness of his heart?” Winston tilted his head and laughed. “Come on, Treason, you’re smarter than that.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I focused on Navie’s brows marred with concern, headed in my direction.
“She’s a beauty. I can see why you’re smitten, but how about a counteroffer to make her go away? I think twenty thousand should cover your troubles.”
“Your wife might go for twenty bands, but don’t insult mine with that bullshit.”
“I doubt that. I heard her mother went for less. Word of advice,” Winston leaned in, “There’s not a woman alive worth derailing your career. Not even one as good as Navie.”
My body moved before my mind caught up. One second, I was standing still, trying to ignore his clown ass. Next, I became a part of the circus, pushing him against the wall, with my hand around his throat.
“I’ll fuckin’ kill you! Stop playin’ with me and talkin’ crazy!”
Winston smiled like the devil, “There he is. Show the room who you really are.”
Don’t do it. Not here.That voice in my head sounded a lot like Ward, but he wasn’t here to remind metheydidn’t understand the rules where we came from.
Fuck where we were, disrespect had to be handled. I took a half step forward, then Navie slid in between us.
“Hey,” she said softly, sliding her hand up my face. “Dance with me.”
She didn’t wait for an answer, turning us away. I let her pull me through the crowd, her arm still looped through mine, to a quiet corner.
“At first I was joking, but I’m starting to think you want to lose this thing. Are you trying to trap me?”
“Fuck him.”
“Yes, but not here, andyouknow that,” Navie’s flesh pressed against me, forcing my chin to drop and meet her eyes. The onlookers studying our affection had no idea the conversation didn’t match her blushing smile. Navie was that good.
“What do I get if I behave?” I asked, sliding my hand to her ass.
“Nothing because I’m still mad at you.”
I exhaled my frustration, “We might as well be married as much pussy as I’mnotgetting.”
“There’s plenty of pussy available like Thandie. She’s been watching you all night. I’m sure she’ll still have you.”
That nap didn’t restore my patience like I hoped. Compartmentalizing my frustrations was a skill I’d mastered early in life. Only they stood no chance when I looked into Navie’s round face.
“Keep on, Navie. You’re gonna’ get what you asked for and I don’t wanna’ hear shit about it either.”
“Whatever.”
She stormed off, not wanting me with another woman any more than I wanted to be. A man could only give so much without getting shit in return. Winston and Navie had me off my game tonight, but she still pulled her weight. She carried every conversation effortlessly. Every word out of Navie’s mouth had Reggie Kingston doubled over like she was the entertainment instead of my date.
“Where did you find her, Treason?” Reggie asked. His wife, Sharon, was beside him, equally impressed. “She’s a keeper. I mean it. Did you special order her or what?”
Navie replied, “Close. He kidnapped me.”
Reggie and Sharon laughed louder. I shot her a glare that translated todon’t play with me, but Navie didn’t fear danger. She thrived in it, especially since her lil’ feelings were hurt.
“I didn’t fight it, though. Look at this face,” she aggressively gripped my jaw like a mother putting her child on display. “Plus, they say politicians have a good retirement plan, so I figured, why not stay?”
Sharon wiped tears from her eyes. “Oh, I like you,” she said, leaning in, “Forget what the rest of these stuck-up women have to say. If I were judged for the sins of my mother, I don’t know where the hell I’d be.”
Reggie rambled about his latest passion project. It was an initiative aimed at expanding access to STEM programs in ruralcommunities. The kind of headline-grabbing stuff people like him loved to slap their names on.
