Page 95 of Treason's Temptation
I might’ve changed my mind if I had waited for Ward to open it. I quickly climbed out before I could and walked inside at Daige’s suggestion that I attend the Women’s League meeting today. They were the social club of Madison Pointe, claiming to be deeply invested in supporting causes in need. Following the signs to a floral-themed room, it looked like an excuse for bored wives to commune, drink, and talk shit about others.
“Hey Navie.” I turned to my name, and Yassah walked over.
“Hey,” I replied, slowly because I didn’t know her, but she said my name like she knew me.
“Sorry, I’m Yassah Langston. Jaleb’s sister,” I nodded, connecting the dots, “Fallon told me you would be here. You can sit with me, if you want.”
Searching the room, Yassah was the only semi-familiar face in a sea of fake smiles and shady conversations. Daige wasn’t here yet, so I accepted her invitation. She eventually excused herself to make rounds, leaving me to the vultures eager for details on my relationship with Treason.
Their questions made me realize how much we hadn’t discussed our relationship. I wasn’t an amateur, so they couldn’t tell when I gave vague responses. Nearing my max, I searched the room for the vice president, Jazmeen Douglas, so that I could get out of here.
“I can’t believe it. Navie Dixon, here in the flesh.” I didn’t recognize the woman who walked over, saying my name so comfortably.
“Excuse me.”
“Evina Strathmore.”
Lorenzo’s new wife.
“I’m looking for Jazmeen Douglas,” I replied, sticking to the point of my visit. Her announcing herself didn’t mean a fuckin’ thing to me.
“I don’t care what scheme you’re running with Treason. Just keep Lorenzo’s name out of it.”
I knew the depths of Lorenzo’s manipulation, so I tried not to judge Evina. He had a gift that made her see me as a threat to whatever lie she wanted to tell herself. Accepting the truth would make her see herself as a victim too, and I knew how hard that was to accept.
“I wouldn’t piss on that nigga if he was on fire, let alone bring him into a conversation. That’s the media, baby. I’m the least of your worries.”
“Do I have to worry about you feeding them your lies?”
“Lies?”
“Is everything okay, Rie?” Another woman approached. ReadingJazmeen’sname tag, she was who I was looking for.
“Yeah, I’m good. I think I made myself clear.”
“I came here because there’s women and children in need of help, but if you want your ass beat, I can give you that too,” I warned, because Sloane might’ve raised a manipulative con artist, she didn’t raise a bitch.
“Your mother is Sloane Bishop,” Jazmeen pointed out.
From the contempt in her tone, I knew this wouldn’t be a friendly walk down memory lane, so I didn’t reply.
“She’s conned so many men you don’t even remember,” Jazmeen laughed, shaking her head, “Richard Douglas. He was her fourth husband. Or third, it’s hard to keep track.”
Third, but I didn’t bother correcting her. Richard was nice but had a cigarette habit so severe that my stomach still curled at the scent.
“What is your point?”
“Your conniving ass mother got in his head. He changed his will, leaving everything to her instead of his flesh and blood.”
“Take that up with your mom. She picked his weak ass,” I shrugged.
From where I was standing, Richard wasn’t worth the fuss. Any man who could be seduced to take his child out of his will wasn’t worth defending.
“Why don’t I take it up with your whore of a mother,” she continued, pressing this one-sided ass beef I was sure Sloane didn’t even remember.
“I’d rather have a whore for a mother who gets shit done than yours. Mine would’ve never let that nigga give my money away.”
“Men can’t see through that pretty smile dressed in designer clothes, but I can. I’m warning you, Navie. They’re happy. Let them stay that way,” Jazmeen defended her friend.
