Chapter 26
I made a call and pulled some strings to buy Rayven a few extra days, given the circumstances. The president happily granted my request in exchange for speaking to the campus. My schedule was packed, but I had Fallon make time. It was the least I could do since my shit impacted her surprise visit.
I wasn’t blind to the pulse in her throat, watching me remove my durag. Pregnant Blue was horny as fuck. She wanted it all the time. Damn near needed it, and I usually obliged, but we had business this morning.
“Get your mind right,” I clowned, while my toothbrush hung out of my mouth.
Blue picked up her phone to disguise her infatuation with business, “Making you human. Don’t look at the camera.”
I complied, moving through my morning routine, while she took candid pictures for social media.
“You’re welcome,” she replied, setting it down so she could finish brushing my teeth.
Navie being publicly arrested and jailed for something she didn’t do gave Victor the push he needed. Usually, I would’ve given in to the desire in her eyes, but it was crunch time. I left her to finish getting ready for the day, joining Rayven in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” she sang, sitting at the island with one foot propped on the edge of the seat.
“I was thinking, maybe I could transfer to MPU. They have a decent pre-med program,” Rayven shared.
“Why would you leave the best for decent?”
Madison Pointe University wasn’t a bad look, but its focus was the arts. Naylor Southern had the best pre-med and pre-law programs in the country. It wasn’t a smart move, and Rayven knew it, too, shrugging her shoulders.
“Vie’s here and the baby will be too.”
“I got them. If you wanna help, switch specialties. A pediatrician would be nice.”
Rayven frowned, “I don’t want to help that badly.”
“Blue wasn’t going for it anyway.”
Navie joined us in the kitchen. “Going for what?”
“Nothing,” Rayven said, stuffing her mouth with cereal.
“What were you talking about?”
“Brother and sister shit. You’re grumpy as fuck this morning. Wassup?”
“I’m pregnant. Welcome to the ghetto.”
Blue wanted this too, but some days the thought still scared her.
“Maybe this will help,” I announced, handing her the black box I pulled from the top cabinet.
“What’s this?” she asked, lifting the key fob in her hand, waiting for an explanation.
“Your new ride. You’re driving today.”
“A new car!” Rayven jumped from her seat, rushing around the island. “I wanna see it!”
“It’s downstairs. Let’s go.”
Rayven seemed more excited than Blue, rushing into the bedroom to grab her slides. The three of us hopped on the elevator, taking us to the lobby, where Rylo waited, eager to see Blue’s reaction.
“You like it?” I asked as I watched her walk around the Mercedes AMG, appraising it.
“This is fly,” a smile found its way through her uncertainty, “Thanks, Stink .”
My lips brushed her brow, “You can do hard things, Blue. I just want you to feel good after doing them. So stop worrying. I got you, and I pay well when you act right.”
“Aww!” Rylo and Rayven simpered.
“Are you trying to bribe my feelings?”
“Gotta do something with your wishy-washy ass.”
She wrapped her arms around my neck, enjoying my hands on her ass. “Seriously, Tre. Thank you for seeing me and being patient.”
“You sure you’re good?”
“I’m just tired,” she lied, still learning how to deal with all the feelings I brought to the surface.
“Me too, but we gotta go,” she succumbed to the domination of my lips before I turned to Rylo. “Make sure she stays put until Blue gets back.”
He cleared his throat, holding his hand out, “Ain’t nothing free.”
“Wow, you have to get paid to hang with me, now?” Rayven countered.
Rylo hit her with his elbow, “Shhh, girl! You’re fuckin’ with my money.”
“Later. I’m good for it,” I replied, checking the time on my watch.
“You better be. I know where you live,” Rylo threatened while Rayven waved before they walked back into the building.
We climbed in the car, Navie adjusting the seat to her comfort before driving us to the campaign office. After parking, we walked inside, holding hands, only dropping them when I opened the doors. Fallon sat on the far side of the couch with a bunch of papers scattered around her.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” I replied, while Navie didn’t say anything. I warned her to be on her best behavior.
“Your tea and muffin are on the desk.”
“Thanks,” I said as I sat on the edge of the desk, anticipating Navie sitting where she always did during strategy meetings —at my desk. I picked up the tea and nudged the muffin toward her. “That’s yours.”
“Thanks,” she muttered, slowly watching my face contort as I sipped the tea. “Stop being a baby. It’s not that bad.”
“It’s not that fuckin’ good either.”
“Fine, keep pumping your heart with caffeine and energy drinks,” she shrugged, trying to figure out how the hell I knew cranberry muffins were her favorite. Rayven gave me a complete rundown after Navie told her she was keeping the baby.
“Can’t. I have somebody to live for now,” I smirked, with a wink that made her pussy jump. “How’s it looking?”
“Your numbers have dipped. With the election around the corner, the next few weeks will be busy for everybody.”
“Schedule whatever you need to around Blue’s appointments.”
“It’s fine. I doubt anything important happens in the next few weeks,” Navie conceded.
“Block out the appointments. What’s next?” I asked because it wasn’t up for debate. Unless something drastic happened, I wasn’t missing an appointment.
“We need to change the narrative. Lorenzo Strathmore’s history in this city has people torn on how they feel about Navie. That makes them unsure about you,” Fallon gasped, and I knew it was more to her statement.
“But.”
“I have an idea, but it’s risky. The list is still lingering. We need to shut it down so we can win the election.”
The door opened, and in walked her idea, with Jaleb trailing like the puppy Sloane had accused me of being.
“What is she doing here?” Navie asked, pushing her heels into the floor.
“Sloane is part of the problem. She has to be a part of the solution, or people will continue to speculate,” Fallon reasoned.
“You just love being the center of attention, don’t you?” Navie sneered.
“I didn’t ask to be here,” Sloane groaned.
“Then leave,” Navie responded.
“I called her here,” Jaleb spoke up.
“Are you paying her like you tried to do to me?” Jaleb grimaced at Navie’s admission, “That night at dinner. He offered me money to take Sloane and leave. I guess paying off people runs in the family.”
“Watch it, little girl,” Sloane threatened.
“I’m not a little girl anymore who aimlessly follows your bullshit, Sloane.”
“Maybe you should. My bullshit never landed you in jail,” she quipped, eyeing me.
“ Worse , it got her head knocked off. Watch your mouth,” I warned.
“Everybody focus!” Fallon yelled, trying to regain control of the room.
“This is our best option. We create a docuseries documenting the campaign. Langston Media will produce it. They’re practically family, and it allows us to control what’s put out.
It also gives Yassah a homerun as her first act as CEO. ”
I scrubbed my beard, locking eyes with Blue. I wasn’t sure which part had her stuck, but I spoke for both of us.
“We’ll do it, but no pregnancy announcement.”
“I think-.”
“I said no.” I guaranteed that’s why Blue was staring at the wall, trying to come up with an alternative.
“So you are keeping it?” Sloane asked.
“Yeah, and if you have anything to say about it, I’ll send you back where you came from. Or worse.”
“Tre,” Blue’s soft voice filled the room.
“I guess I’d better be on my best behavior, then,” Sloane rebutted.
“Problem fixed. Am I done?” Navie asked.
“Problem isn’t fixed. You said yourself LMG is practically family. The public won’t buy shit they produce,” Sloane countered.
“They will if it’s his ex. Danielle will produce the project,” Jaleb suggested, testing my defense.
I didn’t give a fuck either way. Danielle was old news, but if Blue wasn’t comfortable, it wasn’t happening. She’d never admit that in a room of mixed company, so I didn’t press the issue.
“Fine, but I want to see the final cut of every episode,” Blue insisted.
“I’m sure LMG will agree. I’ll make the call,” Fallon replied.
Sloane sighed, “Am I done here?”
“Does the list exist?” Fallon pressed.
“The only list is in my fuckin’ head. If there were one Judge Cromwell damn sure wouldn’t be on it,” Sloane rebutted, insulted. “Maxwell Thatcher is more my speed.”
“Told you,” Blue gloated.
“That solves one problem, but the public loves mess, and since we can’t prove there isn’t one, people will believe there is,” Fallon preached.
“Isn’t it to his advantage that people believe he has some magic list that could ruin their image?” Sloane asked.
“That’s a risk we don’t know will pay off until election night. By then it’s too late,” I replied, as a matter of fact.
Sloane wanted to believe she was doing me a favor.
“Can I go now? I promised Rayven I’d take her to the mall,” Blue asked, standing up.
I nodded, commanding her between my legs.
“Drop Sloane off for me. I need to holla at Jaleb.” Her head craned sideways, likely regretting saying anything, but it was too late. Jaleb lost his fuckin’ mind. “Make sure you eat something. I’ll call you later.”
“I’m not hungry,” she whined, but I shifted to Sloane instead.
“Stay away from the camera. I don’t give a fuck if Jesus himself puts a mic in your face. Your answer to everything is no comment.”
Sloane rolled her eyes, gathered her purse, and strutted toward the door. “Come on, Vie. Let’s go shopping.”
My hand skimmed her hips, then kissed the tip of her nose. When the door shut behind her, I rose to my feet, facing Jaleb.
“I need a million dollars.”
“Excuse me?” Jaleb half chuckled, as if I told a joke.
“You’re so eager to hand out money. Get on the phone and make that shit happen.”
“Treason, we’ve talked about this! I was trying to protect you.”