Chapter 22
N avie tossed and turned all night after the doctor confirmed she was seven weeks pregnant, thanks to a failed IUD. The stress of that news, coupled with Sloane still lingering, she promised to whoop Fallon’s ass if she came within five feet of her.
“Blue!” I called, tone sharp and clipped as I yanked the drawer open for the third time. “You’ve seen my—” my Gucci shades , perched on her head like a crown. “You think you can steal my shit because you’re carrying my baby?”
She froze, giving me a stoned expression. “You’d give me the world, but I can’t wear your sunglasses?”
“I don’t reward thievery.”
Navie shrugged, “Should’ve been paying attention. They’re mine now,” she smirked, pulling them down over her face as an exclamation point. “We should’ve been gone thirty minutes ago. Now we’re going to be late.”
“It’s my shit. They can’t start without me anyway.”
“Just because the world revolves around you isn’t a reason to leave people waiting. Let’s go.”
I let it slide because we were running short on time.
Rushing downstairs, I drove downtown to Madison Pointe’s riverfront.
She hadn’t asked or mentioned Lorenzo Strathmore Jr, so I didn’t either.
Despite the news plastering his polished picture on every news outlet for sympathy, he was still a bitch ass nigga that I hadn’t given much thought.
It was Navie’s question from last night that haunted me.
Why was I so fuckin’ calm she was pregnant?
I trusted the version of Navie I met at the gala. Odd, but I knew what I was getting. I didn’t have much faith in the version sitting next to me. Pulling a pack of Gummy Bears from the console, I tossed them in her lap.
“I love the green ones,” she said, trying to fight her smile but failing.
“I don’t like green ones. Spoiled ass.”
Navie scoffed, “Who doesn’t like the green ones?” but the smile behind it made the lie worth it.
Green was my favorite, too, but she looked like she needed them more than I did.
When we arrived at the studio, I climbed out first, trying to ignore the reporters waiting to capture the power couple. I opened the door on Navie’s side, shielding her from the flash.
I didn’t say anything special or motivating. I was just a mirror reminding her there wasn’t shit she couldn’t do if she tried. Navie accepted my hand, adjusted her skirt, and descended the pavement. She led us to the entrance, while I trailed close with my hand on her hip.
Even with the weight of the world on her shoulders, Navie shined waving at the camera’s looking for any crack in the image we displayed.
“Hey, do you guys need anything before Navie takes the podium?” Fallon asked, approaching us on the sidewalk.
“Get her the fuck away from me, Treason.”
“What’s your problem now?” Fallon frowned.
“I don’t like sneaky bitches that don’t follow directions. You tracked down Sloane and brought her here for what?”
“I did exactly what you told me to do. You said find another way. I did.”
“Get her. I mean it,” Navie warned.
Angling my body in front of Navie just in case she said fuck the cameras, I warned them both, “Control it. We’ll deal with the rest later. Not here.”
Fallon parted the crowd, allowing the camera crew to get in position to film content for the docuseries.
“Who invited her ?” Evie asked.
Mom looked at me, curious why Danielle was here too, while Navie blinked at me, waiting for an explanation.
“That’s Danielle,” I whispered, disguised with a kiss on the cheek.
Her face remained poised, but inside, Navie wanted to scream.
“Good morning, Jaleb called and asked if we could get some footage from the ceremony today.” Danielle couldn’t tear her eyes away from Navie. Most couldn’t, but something told me her gaze wasn’t rooted in fascination.
“For what?” I asked, raising my brow.
“I’m the new Lead Content Director at LMG. Jaleb figured it would be good for the campaign,” Danielle explained, “He didn’t tell you?”
“No, he didn’t.” I kissed my teeth to hide my irritation with so many cameras and microphones around.
“Hi, Danielle,” Mom intervened, the awkwardness floating between me, my ex-girlfriend, and my fake one.
“Miss Inez! Hi, it’s been so long,” Danielle rushed into a hug.
“It has been a while. This is Navie,” Inez mimicked Vanna White, revealing the answer to the word puzzle.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Navie offered a hand and a smile. “Thanks for coming out on short notice.”
“It’s no problem. Glad I can help.”
Fallon leaned in between us, announcing, “We need you at the podium.”
Blue tried to defer introducing me to Inez, but she refused. She was only here to support, not intrude, which ironically made her more nervous as she approached the podium.
“…and now, the man who doesn’t just talk about change, but builds it brick by brick. Madison Pointe’s own Executive Liaison, Treason Westbrook.”
Applause sounded around us. Navie hugged me and leaned in for a quick kiss before I stepped to the mic.
“She might’ve oversold me a little, but none of this exists without the people behind me. This STEM lab isn’t a gift. It’s a response to No, you can’t code. No, your neighborhood doesn’t matter. Today we’re cutting the ribbon to yes.”
The oversized scissors snapped shut, the ribbon fluttering to the ground in two neat halves as cameras flashed and the crowd applauded. Smiles, handshakes, and polite thank-yous followed, but the real moment came when the doors swung open.
“This is the robotics wing,” I said, guiding my family down the sleek corridor with glass-paneled rooms on each side.
“This is incredible Tre. You’re really making a difference for these kids,” Mom complimented, tears brimming her lashes. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Mama, but this wing was all Navie.” She turned around, wondering if I was fuckin’ with her.
“Sharon gave Reggie the green light to spare no expense on all your ideas for the robotics wing. It came with a fully coded curriculum. We’re piloting the engineering modules here before rolling them out across the city,” I explained to Mom, who was still in shock.
“I always said he was a genius. You didn’t believe me,” Evie said, pointing at Mom, “I knew since he was a baby he would do good things.”
“He ain’t done enough,” Miss Dot’s hasty voice joined us as she crept closer, complaining. “It’s dark as a cave on the corner of Terrain and Baxter. I already called the city three times.”
“Dorothy, don’t come with that negativity today! We don’t wanna hear it,” she fussed, waving her hands as a final warning.
“Hush up and give me a hug, you old hussy.”
Navie’s popularity kept her occupied. Whenever she found the conversation boring, her eyes would rely on me for a wink or a subtle expression that annoyed her so much she would laugh.
Danielle eased next to where I leaned against the wall, “She is as good as advertised. People love her.”
“You have a job to do. Do it, without all that other shit.”
“Okay,” she dragged, running her hands down her thighs, “I hoped we’d avoid this, but go ahead, Tre. Let me have it.”
“I have nothing else to give you.”
I walked around Danielle, joining my mom with a group of kids centered around the coding corner. Abdul and Daige even came out to support thanks to Navie’s invitation. The event was a success, but my day didn’t end here. I had a debate with Victor on the schedule that I needed to prepare for.
Every smile froze when uniforms filled the building, as if they owned it. The press perked up like vultures circling a fresh kill.
“Navie Dixon?” one asked. “We’ll need you to come with us for questioning regarding Lorenzo Strathmore Jr’s disappearance.”
Before she could answer, I cut in. “Yeah, if you have a warrant.”
“She is a person of interest, which means we can ask questions. Would you like us to do that here or privately at the station?”
“Station, but you’re out of your mind if you think you’re shoving her into a squad car like some criminal.”
“Well, the jury is still out on that.”
“She’ll meet you at the station with her attorney. That’s me, by the way.”
No questions left her mouth, but there were plenty in her eyes, gawking at me on the way to the precinct.
She was angry, and I couldn’t blame her, but letting Lorenzo live wasn’t a fuckin’ option.
When we arrived outside, reporters lined the sidewalk, ready to plaster Navie’s picture over every news outlet.
“I got you,” I reminded her.
“If this is you having me , I’d rather have myself!!” She complained before her heels hit the pavement.
Inside, Lorenzo’s wife and father sat rigid in the waiting area. When she noticed me, Evina jumped to her feet, eyes stained with tears.
“Where is my husband? What did you do!” she yelled, being held back by Lorenzo Sr.
I stepped in front of Navie, steady, deliberate. “You only speak when I tell you to. Not them.”
She nodded slowly, entering the room where the detectives circled, pushing and prodding. I guided her every step with a firm nod when they asked something basic.
“When was the last time you saw Lorenzo Strathmore Jr.?” Detective Vinson asked.
I nodded, and Navie replied, “At The Fontana,” not giving them any additional details they didn’t ask for.
“Isn’t it true you and Lorenzo argued before he disappeared?”
“She’s not answering that. Next.”
“ If you’re innocent, why won’t you answer our questions?” he asked, speaking directly to her, hoping she’d abandon my advice.
“You’re running out of time. You might want to stop with these intimidation tactics and ask some important questions.”
“Do you know anyone who might want to harm Mr. Strathmore?”
“Ask his wife,” she muttered hastily.
“We’re asking you.”
“What exactly was the nature of your relationship with Lorenzo Strathmore Jr.?”