Page 75 of Treason's Temptation
“Hey,Stink.”
“Stop playing with me. Give Ward the phone.”
“Not if you’re going to fuss at him.”
“Navie, give Ward the phone.”
Swallowing my laugh at him using my government name, I was definitely in trouble now.
“Oh, now, I’m back toNavie?”
“Damn sure not acting like Blue right now.Shelistens and keeps me calm. Navie likes to play stupid ass games.”
His accuracy forced me to adjust in my seat and pass the phone to Ward. From what I could hear, Treason wasn’t yelling, and Ward didn’t seem affected if he was. They spoke in a coded language briefly before Ward hung up.
“Did he fuss at you?” I questioned after he ended their brief call.
“Ain’t nobody worried about Tre fussin’ but you.”
“That means yes.”
“He reminded me to take care of the precious cargo.”
I smacked my lips, impressed by his loyalty. I didn’t have a friend in my life I could rely on. There was only Rayven, and even Sloane robbed us of a normal sister dynamic. Somebody had to be the adult because she failed to do it, making Rayven feel more like my child than a sister to lean on.
We stopped for food, talking about nothing and everything. Who knew he’d be the bright spot in this circus that had become my life? Ward took me to the nail salon to get my nails fixed, and I even talked him into a pedicure. He complained the whole time, but it was free entertainment.
We pulled up to a boutique with clean white brick, fancy gold lettering on the windows, and not a single person inside who looked like they’d ever had to check a price tag. Ward parked without a word, but he didn’t move.
Instead, he leaned back in his seat and nodded toward the door. “Go inside and pick up your man’s order.”
I blinked. “What?”
“Running his errands is your job now, too. It should be under your name.”
That was Ward. He provided just enough information to pique your curiosity, never enough to make you feel comfortable. I stepped out, confused and not in the mood for more surprises, especially not the kind that came in pretty boxes with strings attached.
The boutique was as quiet inside as it looked from the outside.
“Hi there. Can I help you?”
“Hi, I’m here for pick,” I said, still unsure. “It should be under Navie Dixon.”
Her eyes lit with recognition, motioning me to follow her. She grabbed a box from beneath the counter. Small. White. Tied with a soft blue ribbon.
“Here you are, Miss Dixon. I personally helped Mr. Westbrook pick it out. He was so excited.”
“He’s quite the charmer,” I smiled, scribbling my signature on the dotted line. “You can open it here if you want,” she offered gently, but secretly, I think she wanted to see my reaction.
I nodded, sliding the ribbon off, and lifted the lid. Inside was a charm bracelet. Thin, gold, elegant with two charms. A tiny tennis racket and an R that held no significance outside of Rayven.Maybe.
“So?” he asked casually when I climbed back in the car.
“You already knew anyway.”
“It’s my job to know everything going on.”
“Really? So, how good are you at your job?”
