Bad Girls Finish First by Shelia Dansby Harvey Page B

confusion.
    When Michael and Raven entered the hotel lobby and Raven loosened her wrap and let it fall into the bend of her elbows, Michael was mildly shocked and thoroughly turned on. As usual, his wife walked the thin line between sexily tasteful and slightly slutty. Raven checked her lipstick, turned to her husband, and smiled. “This is my moment, Michael.”
    â€œIt’s for all of us, honey,” Michael said. He half turned, looking for Christopher and Evan. “Here they are,” Michael said as he watched the limousine carrying Christopher, Genie, and Evan, along with Dudley, his wife, and two other staffers, drive up. Raven hadn’t wanted anyone to ride with her and Michael, even though they’d been in the super stretch. Dudley’s wife started standing before she’d completely emerged from the limousine and got stuck in the doorway.
    â€œIt’ll take that fat cow five minutes to get out,” Raven said as she watched Dudley’s wife struggle to free herself. “Let’s go.”
    â€œNot yet. I want my sons with us.”
    Just then Raven caught a glimpse of Evan, who had gotten out of the limousine from the other side. She saw him all the time, but dressed up it struck her. He looks just like Grace. If he and Christopher walk in with us, it’ll remind everybody of her. I’ll be an outsider .
    Raven motioned for the attendants to throw open the ornate double doors, and stepped forward, pulling Michael with her.
    â€œWait on them? For what? When I’m with you, you don’t need anyone else,” she said. By now the doors were wide open and the guests were on their feet, loud and bodacious, clamoring for Michael.
    â€œAre you going to stand here like an idiot or are we going in?” Raven whispered.
    Michael, who could smile and cut like a knife at the same time, commenced doing both. He got his feet moving and said, “I don’t have a choice, do I? After we do the happy couple routine, you need to stay the hell out of my way. I let you get away with murder with me all the time, but you’re going to learn, Raven, not to mess with my sons.”
    Michael looked back one last time, directly into Evan’s eyes. His son’s broad smile faded when he realized that his father was going ahead without him.
    Michael and Raven knew how to work a room, and even their detractors had to admit that the senator and his wife were a charismatic team. Raven charmed every man whose equipment still worked, and women who’d expected the worst whispered to each other, “She’s not so bad.”
    Raven and Erika Whittier were within arm’s distance a few times—while Erika talked to the head of Hub Oil, Raven was just behind her greeting a congressman from Tyler. During dinner, Raven stopped at Erika’s table, but turned away after she greeted Tina Boss, who was seated next to Erika. Tina was the young wife of one of Erika’s best friends. He was out of the country, but he had called Erika that morning to ask her to keep an eye on Tina.
    Tina turned to Erika and said, “I wanted you to meet Senator Joseph’s wife. She’s, like, the most fabulous woman ever!”
    â€œThere’ll be time,” Erika said. She looked toward the podium. “Isn’t that the minister David Capps?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Don’t tell me you’ve never met him?”
    â€œNever, but I’ve heard plenty about him.”
    â€œI guess he’s going to introduce the senator.” Tina leaned toward Erika’s ear and continued, “He wouldn’t have been my choice. When a black preacher opens his mouth he’s going to, like, whine first and beg second.”
    â€œShhh! You’re going to get us thrown out!” Erika said as she lightly tapped Tina’s knee. As she listened to David speak, Erika realized that he was not a preacher by default; David was a natural leader: compelling, intelligent,