Page 68 of Treason's Temptation
“Anybody else having issues with pick up?”
Renny cleared his throat. “Far as I’m concerned, things have been smooth. We ain’t had any issues on our side.”
K-Low leaned back in his chair like he had something stuck in his teeth.
“That’s ‘cause y’all not lookin’ close enough. My shipment got held up for damn near three days. That’s money lost. You can’t move what you don’t got, and you damn sure can’t collect on silence if the streets don’t trust the pipeline.”
“Your paperwork isn’t clean. You’ve been switching routes and carriers, trying to cut corners. That’s why your crate got flagged.”
“You got these cats out here confused. Nobody knows who controls what anymore. My crew ran into Mico’s boys on Franklinagain. That’s twice in one week.”
I tilted my head and gave him a slow blink.
“That’s not confusion, K. That’s poor delegation. Mico’s got his side locked tight. His people know where their line starts and ends. You built that house. It’s not everybody else’s fault your roof is leaking.”
K-Low stared at me for a long beat, jaw locked.
“Anymore grievances?” I asked after I heard him kissing his teeth, angry that his plan fell through.
“I’m good,” Renny replied, driving the knife in deeper.
The table went quiet. Even the air got still. K-Low was burning behind the eyes, but he didn’t say anything.
“Good. Don’t ever relay a message for me through Navie again. If you have static for me, you know where to find me. I’m always around for that.” I slapped hands with Renny, then stepped close to K-Low. “I’m trynna’ do a lot of good for the city, K. I’d love for you to be a part of it, but you won’t be the reason I don’t. Get on board or get run the fuck over. It’s up to you.”
K-Low leaned against the stack of crates, mad as a motherfucka. He had too much nerve and ambition to forget I taught him everything he knew. Not everything Iknow. I brushed past him on the way out, eager to get home. After one kiss, Navie had me back on a fuckin’ rope like a fiend. I needed to see her. Smell her, anything to curb my addiction.
“You know this shit isn’t over, right?” Ward announced once we reached the car.
“I know. Keep an eye on him for now.”
June nodded, pulling out a cigarette, “Aye, let’s hit the after-hours spot. I’m hungry as fuck.”
Ward laughed, “He ain’t going nowhere but home toBlue.”
“Shit, I can understand that. She’s fine as fuck,” June joked, wearing a mischievous grin.
“Keep on, and I’ll have Coco and the kids calling meDaddy.”
“I’m down for a swap if I get Navie,” June couldn’t contain his nicotine-wrapped laugh that came out in a cough, “I’m fuckin’ with yo’ tender ass. I know she made it home safely, grinning at the phone when we’re supposed to be on demon time. Roll out for old times’ sake. Home can wait,” June coaxed, but it fell on deaf ears.
“Nigga you’re one meal away from my six-hundred-pound life.Youneed to take your ass home too,” I replied.
“Better than looking like I belong on a feed-the-children commercial. Bitch ass nigga,” June retorted.
“Take me to the crib,” I declared, climbing in the backseat.
June tried to sway me on the ride home, but wasn’t shit out this late for me. I walked inside the house, expecting to be asked fifty questions about what had happened and why. Instead, I found Navie balled up under the comforter with her back to the door. Closing her in, I unbuttoned my shirt on the way to my room to shed the rest of my clothes.
After a shower, I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my hair. Sliding my durag over my head, I went over the shit I still needed to do for the next day. Instead of drifting to my office, I threw on some briefs and climbed into bed, closing my tired eyes.
Hours later, half asleep, I felt the mattress dip before I heard Navie. Even lying on my stomach, one arm flung over the pillow, and the other twisted beneath me, I knew it was her. The scent of her favorite lotion gave her away.
Rolling on my side, she scooted in close, spooning my frame. I tried to lead with patience, but the longer she lay here, the more curious I became.
“Wassup, Blue?” I asked, failing miserably, but I could hear her thoughts racing in my ear.
“Can you just lie here and listen and don’t turn around!” she rushed out, then, “Please,” followed a lot softer.
