Chapter 13 #2
Don’t do it. Not here. That voice in my head sounded a lot like Ward, but he wasn’t here to remind me they didn’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, and you know 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’m not getting.”
“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 to don’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 rural communities. The kind of headline-grabbing stuff people like him loved to slap their names on.
Navie, who’d been quietly sipping her drink, occupied with Sharon, chimed in.
“Treason would be a great fit for something like that. His educational work already focuses on science and innovation. Sorry,” she added quickly, her tone light and teasing. “Force of habit. I’ll stay out of men’s business.”
Sharon grinned like she’d just heard the best joke all night. “Oh, please. Who do you think gave Reggie the idea in the first place?”
“Not a bad idea,” Reggie agreed, nudging me with his elbow. “You’ve got yourself a good one, Treason.”
Navie drank his complement while Sharon insisted they catch up somewhere outside of this event.
The night ended, and Navie slid into the car, eager to take off the mask.
The quiet ride home mirrored the ride here, only this time, she wasn’t on her phone.
Navie stared out the window with her elbow propped on it.
Then she turned, as if she had something to say, but Ward’s call interrupted.
“Yo,” I answered, his tone shifting so quickly it made my back straighten.
“You need to leave that fundraiser. We have a problem.”
“Hold on.” I disconnected the call from the car. “What kind of problem?”
“K-Low. He called a meeting with OG Renny tonight.”
“Where’d you get that?”
“June. Meet me at the old brewing company off MLK in fifteen.”
She went back to staring out the window, but I knew her nosey ass was listening.
“Navie’s with me.”
“Figure out something. You don’t need this shit getting out of control.”
The conversation paused while I pondered my options, but there weren’t many.
“Fuck, I’m on my way.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t ask any questions as I switched lanes to turn around. Most women would’ve been on the edge of their seats, trying to piece together what the fuck was going on. Her calmness softened my own attitude.
We pulled up along the curb and parked behind Ward’s car.
“Remember that conversation about listening so I can keep you safe?” Navie nodded, “This is one of those times. Get in the driver’s seat and go straight home. Text me when you’re home. Not walking in the building. Upstairs . Safe . You got me?”
I pushed the door open, and Navie climbed out, meeting me in front of the car, where I slapped hands with Ward and June.
“Figured you’d need this,” Ward said, handing me the gun, “Wassup Navie?”
“Preciate it,” I mumbled.
I took it and checked
“Hey,” she half smiled, watching me check the chamber like second nature. Navie didn’t say a word, but I felt her eyes taking mental notes on the way I handled it. “Where’s mine?”
“You don’t need one if you do what I say,” I replied, before Ward did.
“Who is this?” June licked his lips, rubbing his hands in a way that almost got him shot.
“A death wish. Back yo’ ass up,” I warned.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sweetheart. I’m June,” he introduced, disregarding my warning.
Ward and I shared a look. Mine was a lot more rigid than the half smirk on his face, finding entertainment in June crossing the line. “My name is Navie, not sweetheart.”
He delivered a dramatic mock salute, standing upright and biting his bottom lip.
“Shit, I would’ve joined too if I knew the Navy looked like this,” June flirted.
“Nigga I went to the army, and don’t get too cute. Tre is sweet on this one,” Ward chided, his eyes skirting to me.
“I’m not worried about Tre’s block head ass. Unless Miss Navie wants to have some fun.”
“Face the building since you can’t keep your eyes to yourself.”
“Nigga, this ain’t fuckin’ catholic school,” he groaned, with a twisted expression. “Yo’ ass should face the building. ‘Out here with no strap like nigga’s ain’t on your head. Fuck wrong with this nigga, Ward?”
Ward laughed, putting his hand up, “Chill, man. Tre isn’t wrapped too tight right now. Navie’s got his head fucked up.”
“Uh oh. Trouble in paradise, Navie ?” June continued, rambling about sixth grade when I finally yelled Shut the fuck up .
“Get in and go straight home. No bullshit tonight, Blue.”
She stared off into the dark until she heard the nickname I hadn’t called her in days. Still didn’t want to use the shit now, but I needed her to understand.
The question was all in her lifted brow. Navie absolutely had my head fucked up. She knew the danger of walking in there unfocused, even if she didn’t know why. Navie pulled me into a tongue-fueled kiss that had me ready to abort the mission and take her home.
Instead, I ended our embrace with a pat on her ass. She slipped into the car, and I reminded her to text me before she pulled off.
“ Blue got you right. You ready now?” Ward asked.
“Are you ready? You’re the one cracking jokes and shit.”
“She didn’t get that nigga ready enough,” June mumbled, following me toward the door.
The warehouse was quiet for a meeting. The only sound was the crunch of our shoes on the gravel as we entered the back. K-Low’s voice died in his throat the second he saw June and Ward trailing me. OG Renny leaned back slowly in his seat, brow knitting not in guilt, but confusion.
“Since you have so many questions about my shit, I decided to pull up,” I said, voice low. “What did I miss?”
“This is a private meeting amongst friends.”
“That’s what you told Navie, right? You’re a friend, and I needed to get at you.”
“You coming in hot as fuck like we’re not.” K-Low tried to shrug like it wasn’t serious, but I saw the way his hand gripped the edge of the chair. “People have concerns. They’re just too scared to speak on the shit. I’m not, so I came to see what's up.”
“Let’s not lie in front of company and dress it up as concern. If you don’t like how I do business, say it pussy.”
K-Low erupted because he couldn’t let that go unchecked. Not in front of OG Renny.
“Your plan sounds like a fuckin setup. There’s no way Madison Pointe is going for this shit. Then where does that leave all of us that doesn’t wear suits and call shots?”
I turned to Renny. “I have respect for your family. I always have. That’s why we came to you in the first place.
Not just for access to the port, but because y’all do solid business,” I glanced at K-Low.
He wanted to imply I forgot where I came from when he was the one doing slimy shit. “Have y’all had any issues?”
“Nah, shit has been smooth for real, but I’m always willing to hear a man out,” Renny replied.
Blue: Home.
Me: Good Girl
Reading Navie’s text allowed K-Low to jump back into the conversation.
“Shit ain’t been smooth for the rest of us.”
“Have you had any problems, June?” I asked, erasing my smile to get back to business.
“Nah, money has been flowing. Pick-ups have been smooth, too,” June replied. "
“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.