Chapter 5
W ard pulled off at my signal, and the streetlights flickered over the windows as we moved through the city. Navie was good. I could see why people were drawn to her. She reclined against the headrest. Her eyes were half-closed as the city blurred by until we arrived at a high-end hotel.
I stepped out and motioned Navie to follow.
“Handle what we talked about earlier,” I said to Ward, hanging on the door.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m in good hands,” I smiled, peering back at Navie.
“I’m on it. Be easy,” he advised, pulling away from the curb.
My arm curled around her shoulders to the top floor. She slid inside, the inner kid in her unable to play coy.
“This is amazing. Do you live here?” She turned with a light in her eyes I hadn’t seen, not at the gala or in the car. It was unguarded, and I let myself enjoy watching her twirl barefoot.
“Nah, but my place is nice too.”
Loosening my tie, I wondered if she had enough magic to make every day feel like this.
“What do you want to eat?” I asked, following her into the bedroom.
“What’s on the menu?”
“Whatever you want.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, legs crossed, eyes soft. “My favorite words. In that case, I want spicy rigatoni with a side of French fries.”
“What the fuck, kind of combination is that?”
“You said I could have whatever I want. Reneging already?”
Fumbling with the clasp on my watch didn’t distract me from her smile. Tired of watching me struggle, she crawled across the bed.
“You need some help?”
She worked the clasp with precision and dropped the watch in my hand. Navie was trouble, but I gripped her chin and kissed her anyway. She wrapped her legs around my waist, tasting like the lie she thought I hadn’t figured out.
My lips moved against hers, slow, deep, and lazy. The kind of kiss that made a woman think she was in control. Navie thrived off that shit, allowing her hips to meet mine.
My lips hovered near hers, “Tonight’s the most fun I’ve had in a while, Navie. I gotta give it to you. You’re good.”
Confusion flickered across her face, because Navie was used to running laps around most nigga’s.
Not getting caught.
“I—what are you?—”
My grip tightened enough to silence the lie. Navie couldn’t move much, but tried anyway. She worked herself up, wiggling and kicking under my weight.
“Let. Me. Go!” she grunted, her pulse knocking against my hand.
“I could fuckin’ kill you right now for that shit you pulled.” I tightened my grip, and she clawed at my hands. “ Should fuckin’ kill you right now.”
I leaned in and kissed her again. Gentle. Controlled, before pulling back enough to murmur, “But I’m intrigued, and your skin is soft as fuck. So tell me who sent you.”
We were in the thick of campaign season, and I was the only candidate standing in Victor’s way. Wealthy people weren’t above using a beautiful woman like Navie if it preserved power.
“What are you talking about?”
“Scheming, I can overlook. Lying is where I draw the line.”
“Fuck you!” she spat so hard her head lifted off the bed.
“Maybe later, but right now I need to know who sent you?”
“I don’t take orders. Nobody sent me! Now move!”
I rolled off her slowly, while her chest heaved.
“Now that we’re done pretending, let’s eat and talk business.”
Then I walked away, leaving her with silence and the truth.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m leaving,” she rushed to her feet, following me down the hallway.
“No, the fuck you’re not.”
“What do you mean, no ? You can’t hold me here!”
I chuckled, “Sit down, Navie.”
I taste the fear on her lips. Usually, I enjoyed it, but tonight it was to teach Navie a lesson she’d never forget.
When I leaned back, folding my arms across my chest, she panicked.
Navie glared, fumbling through her purse to realize she had no signal.
Racing to the door, she quickly realized that no matter how many times she yanked on the handle, it wouldn’t open.
“What kind of fuckin game is this?”
“The game you started.”
“Treason, let me the fuck out of here before I kill us both!” She threatened.
“Man, chill the fuck out. If I wanted to hurt you, I would’ve. Easily , but I know how to treat people, unlike you, giving random drugs to innocent strangers.”
“You’re a politician! There’s no such thing,” she fussed, searching the suite for an escape. It was obvious she was used to being in control. Right now, she had none, which made her panic enough to grab the champagne bottle and flip it upside down.
“I’m not playing!”
“Does this tantrum usually work for you?”
She swung the bottle instead of replying, but I ducked and snatched it from her hand.
“If this relationship is gonna’ work, keep your fuckin’ hands to yourself!” I gritted so hard she jumped.
“We’re not in a fuckin’ relationship! Let me out of here!”
“We are now. Unless you want to go to jail.”
“For what?” she scoffed, still in character.
“You’re committed. I like that, but aggravated assault and unlawful administration of a controlled substance alone will get you fifteen years. After they find the encrypted files on your phone, you’re looking at another ten to fifteen years for tampering with a public official. Sit the fuck down.”
Reality settled in, and Navie was smart enough to know the consequences of what she had done.
“You’re going to fuck around and get yourself killed, you know that? A pretty lady like you deserves better.”
“So if I were ugly, you’d let me fall on my face?” She asked, wearing a frown.
“Probably. I’d be less intrigued. That’s for damn sure.”
“That’s a very shitty thing to say.”
“I’m vain and honest enough to admit it.”
“You want something, or you would’ve killed me, right? So, cut the shit and tell me what it is.”
“I actually think you need the favor.”
Navie laughed, “I don’t need a favor. Not from you.”
“You do, and you don’t even know it. Eat first. I make better business deals when I’m happy and full,” I suggested.
Navie shoved the plate, causing food to spill off the sides.
“What do I need you for?” she asked, amused and annoyed by my confidence.
“Short term, staying out of jail. Long-term security and safety. The real kind, not the temporary high of ripping off wealthy nigga’s who can’t stop looking at your titties.”
“You’re not offering me a second chance because I’m so unforgettable. What’s in it for you?”
“You’re the prize, Navie. The tits help, though.”
“Stop fuckin’ with me, Treason. What do you want?”
“I need a wife, but I am willing to start slow.”
“Half the women at that gala were born and bred to be your wife. I’m not one of them.”
“I know. The thought of that pisses me off more than you trying to take me out.”
Her tongue shot out, gagging at the thought.
“Sorry to break your heart, but I’d die before I let that happen.”
“That’s still on the table, but being my girlfriend is a lot less painful.”
“Says who? I’m locked in a hotel with no phone service. Sorry if I don’t believe you.”
“I’m not the one who can’t be trusted. I think I deserve the benefit of the doubt.” Navie turned her head like a toddler having a tantrum. “Eating something might fix that funky-ass attitude.”
“It’s no telling what you did to it.”
Grabbing my plate, I walked around the table and swapped it as a show of good faith.
“I damn sure wouldn’t poison myself trying to get at you. Eat.” She waited a moment because she was stubborn as hell before finally picking up the fork. “Now, are you ready for the rest of my pitch?”
“I already said no.”
“No is just the start of negotiations.”
“Not with me, but carry on since you love the sound of your voice so much.”
The pout on her lips didn’t deter me from explaining what I needed.
“The world sees relationships as a sign of responsibility and commitment. I need one, so that’s where you come in. Help me get this money, charm the press , and smile for the cameras. It’s easy work and less risky than drugging people. No emotions or complications. Just dates.”
“While I’m honored,” she rolled her eyes dramatically, “you can’t have me, Treason. I’m not for sale.”
“Money wins elections, and we cleared millions in one night. Not many women can do that. I need you , so stay the night and sleep on it.”
“Dick won’t sway my decision.”
I smirked because it was obvious that’s what Navie was used to. Men lusting after her physical beauty and selling whatever dream they thought she wanted to hear. Every nigga in the room tonight considered it, but pussy didn’t move me. Not even one attached to her pretty ass.
“Good, because I wasn’t offering any. I meant stay and see, easy life is attached to me.”
“Being stuck with you is far from easy .”
“It didn’t feel that way when your tongue was down my throat. The suite is paid for. Might as well stay and head to the spa in the morning. The appointment is already booked.”
“You’ve thought of everything except me saying no.”
“My girl doesn’t like her time wasted, so I came prepared.”
Navie wasn’t as discreet as she thought. I saw her slip something in my drink, but calling her out prematurely wouldn’t reveal her plan. Instead, I played along to see how far she would take it.
“I’m not changing my mind. So what’s the next step in your little plan?”
I shrugged, forking Navie’s rigatoni, “Ward is downstairs. He’ll take you wherever you want.”
She stared, unsure whether to risk embarrassment by trying the door again. Repulsed enough by my presence, she pushed up from the table and sauntered down the hallway, hesitating before turning the handle.
“I wouldn’t use my card if I were you, or you will need a favor. I notified the bank two hours ago,” I yelled as the door hinges squeaked open.
Navie groaned something inaudible, then slammed the door.