Chapter 21 #2
“When we get home, I’m gonna show you exactly what this kind of loyalty earns you.”
He lowered his chin, sweeping kisses from my shoulder to my jaw.
“Face down, legs shaking, voice gone.”
“That’s how we got here ,” I blushed against my will, “Too soon.”
Thankfully, the elevator opened, because I didn’t know how much more I could take.
His raspy voice had me ready to stay home and take the spanking instead of praise.
With one hand resting on his thigh, he drove through the city like he owned more than just the road.
Parking along the curb, I sighed at the flash blinding me through the window, even with the tint.
This was the part of Treason’s life I hated the most.
The thought of bringing a baby into it had me in a daze when he opened the door to help me out. His hand tightened at the small of my back, that grounding pressure he always used when he knew my nerves were buzzing.
The velvet edge of entitlement sliced through the chaos in a red dress and heels.
“Hey baby.”
“What are you doing here?” I whispered as she wrapped me in a hug.
“Coming to dinner with my daughter and son-in-law.”
“Let’s chill on the in-law talk. Please,” I scolded.
“Well, you let him trap you. Might as well.”
“Enough. It’s time to go.”
“Yeah, inside.” She walked around me, smiling and waving at the cameras lining the sidewalk.
The paparazzi made it impossible to shut SloNe out. As much as I wanted her gone, it wasn’t worth the headlines. Treason had enough heat on him, and he knew it, too.
“What is she doing here?” he whispered in my ear, walking inside.
“Being Sloane,” I groaned, regretting my slip of the tongue earlier, “This is Fallon’s doing, by the way. She told Sloane we needed help.”
An older woman rushed over, embracing Treason with a hug.
“It’s so good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too, Josephine.”
“And who is this beauty?” Josephine asked.
“Navie Dixon. This is Dr. Josephine Langston,” he introduced.
“Thank you for having us,” I replied, extending my hand, but Josephine pulled me in for a hug that made Treason chuckle.
“Of course. Treason is like family, so you are too. If you need anything , please don’t hesitate to reach out. Ambitious men are never easy.”
“What was that?” A deep voice rounded the corner, and Josephine traded my arm for his.
“This is my husband, Russell,” She smiled, winking at me in a way that had Treason eying me. Then her smile vanished as Sloane walked over, “I see you’ve brought a guest.”
“I brought myself,” Sloane sneered, so Josephine was clear.
My eyes flipped between their venomous looks and anger churning. Tension this deep wasn’t about Sloane crashing their fancy dinner. It couldn’t be.
“Then you should take yourself home,” Josephine demanded.
“Not until my daughter goes home. I know how y’all get down.”
“She doesn’t need a chaperone,” Josephine spat.
“Y’all judging her like we’re in a court of law. That’s all this dinner is about anyway. So get on with it,” Sloane urged, planting her flag in the sand.
Treason and I had become the side characters in our own show as Josephine waved us along. The rest of the Langston clan was scattered around the room, including my initial target, Russell, and his wife, Kelly. I wasn’t sure if she was a good actor or had no clue about his secret life.
“Would you like a drink? Josephine offered, while Treason watched to see how I would handle the question.
“No, thank you.”
“Are you sure? They have the best red wine. Plus, I know how stressful families can be,” Josephine smiled, nudging me with her elbow.
“I know you have a hard time comprehending no , but you better offer that glass to someone else before it’s at your throat.” Sloane swooped in, taking the glass intended for me.
Michelle’s angry footsteps echoed, leaving the room while mumbling obscenities. Jaleb shot Sloane a glare, finishing off his drink before following his wife. Suddenly, Sloane’s excuse seemed like bullshit. She wasn’t here for me at all.
It seemed like everybody at the table was an Academy Award-winning star, Treason included. He conversed, occasionally winking at me in between sips of wine. Michelle struggled the most, her leg bouncing while shooting daggers at Sloane.
After dinner, everyone migrated to the terrace, while I drifted off to the restroom.
It felt like heaven compared to more menial small talk.
Everything in here screamed luxury, from the warm toilet to the knobs on the faucet I used to wash my hands.
Pulling the door open, I walked into a muscled chest that didn’t belong to Treason.
“Sorry about that,” Jaleb smiled as I caught my balance.
“It’s no problem.”
“How much?” Jaleb’s words spun me around. “To get rid of you and your mother. How much?”
My mask slipped. “I’m not for sale.”
“Let’s cut the shit, hmm.” He paused briefly, “Treason is blinded by your smile and whatever else you’re doing to him. Sloane taught you well, but I can’t let you bring him down or complete whatever scheme she has you involved in. So, how much?”
“Fuck. You,” I gritted, looking him up and down. “And to be clear, you need to be worried about your own relationship. Not mine!”
“Oh, come on Navie. I’m being more than fair. You don’t deserve shit, but out of love for Treason, I’m willing. Give me a number so you can be on your way. That’s what you want, right?”
Jaleb showed his hand, and Treason was much safer with me than he’d ever be with Jaleb Langston.
“I’m not leaving until I’m good and fuckin’ ready. If you want me gone, do it yourself,” I dared.
“Don’t tempt me,” Jaleb warned. “Treason didn’t have a mother lying, stealing, and scheming to put him through private school and college. He’s worked his ass off for this shit. You won’t fuck this up for him.”
“You know what would fuck it up? Racing to him crying very convincing tears because you just offered me a blank check to leave him alone after he’s repeatedly told you to get on board. Especially now that I’m pregnant.”
His eyes widened with suspicion, falling to my stomach like there was something to see. Staring at the war of emotions in Jaleb’s eyes made my smile broaden.
“Bullshit.”
“We just found out. Go ask him,” I suggested.
“You wanted out. I’m offering that,” he gritted.
“I think I’ll stick around since you’re not shit either. Someone has to look out for Tre, and I don’t think you’re the man for the job. I’ve got it from here.”
A pat on the chest ended the conversation, and I strutted back outside. Treason wasted no time signaling me to his lap, while explaining to Russell Sr. that his campaign was in good shape.
“Let the woman breathe. Save that for home,” Jaleb joked, joining the conversation, holding a glass of brown liquor to his lips.
Treason ignored Jaleb, tightening his grip around my waist, his fingers discreetly stroking my stomach.
“Oh, leave them alone. They’re in love. It was a time when you and Michelle were the same way,” Josephine boasted.
“You would say that. Daddy still can’t keep his hands off you,” Yassah groaned.
“That’s what love is supposed to be. A fire you can’t help but touch, even if it’s bad for you. Not a chore that you tolerate ,” Sloane said, in jesting quips.
Jaleb seethed, detecting the censure in Sloane’s tone.
Likely because every time Sloane opened her mouth, Michelle shot him the nastiest look I’d ever seen.
She was only still here because she couldn’t give Sloane the satisfaction.
That kind of torture and hatred could only be reserved for a woman who wanted your man.
“How long have you been married?” I asked, trying to move the conversation past Sloane’s loaded rebuttal.
“Coming up on forty years. We’re having a big celebration and renewing our vows. Of course, you’re invited, Navie ,” Josephine offered.
“Forty years is a steep hill,” Treason added, as I lay against his chest.
“Looks like you’re well on your way,” Russell Sr. pointed out.
“Slow down, Pop. Let them get to know each other first,” Jaleb smirked.
“I like what I see so far. Maybe one day,” There was a hint of laughter to my words that forced Jaleb to gulp the rest of his drink.
“Look at them!” Josephine exclaimed, clasping her hands together.
“Good, because after you win this election, the next one will be around the corner,” Russell Sr. reminded Treason, turning the conversation into a political TED talk.
“Alright, take that boring business talk inside,” Josephine ordered, shooing them off the terrace.
Treason kissed my cheek, reminding me to play nice before the men disappeared.
Yassah signaled the waiter for another bottle of wine, sharing her unfiltered thoughts on the latest Madison Pointe gossip.
The tension was thick enough that none of them needed more alcohol, but the waiter delivered it anyway.
Sadly, I was comfortable in a room full of women judging other people. Sloane lived for infiltrating their circles, like it somehow validated the trauma she never talked about. This was Treason’s life now, which made it a part of mine, so I pretended to care.
Unless.
I wasn’t sure if Treason would still look at me the same if I got rid of it. One decision could end both my pregnancy and my relationship. It made making one that much harder.
“I’ve been seeing your face all over Madison Pointe. The city loves you,” Josephine boasted.
“I don’t know about all that.”
“Don’t be so modest. Surely you expected it, being with a man like Tre,” Michelle replied. “How come you guys didn’t attend the gala together?”
“The gala was business, not a date. We wanted to keep things low-key,” I lied.
“I thought we weren’t in court. What’s with the interrogation?” Sloane asked, tired of sitting quietly.
“Treason, doing anything low-key ,” Yassah laughed, harder than she meant to, but the wine made her tipsy. “How did you do it? Get Tre all handsy and in love?”
Sloane sipped her wine, wondering if I’d remember what she always told me.