Page 29 of Disrespectfully, Relic

“You’re either an asset or a liability, Kennedy. If you were the latter, I’d really be leading you to the person who’d murder you for me and dispose of the body.”

Kennedy’s steps faltered, but Relic gripped her back firmer while forcing her to continue. One corner of his mouth quirked before he peered down and chuckled at the deep frown she wore.

“That’s not funny.”

“Never said I was joking. Grab the earmuffs and gun you prefer,” he directed, guiding her toward a picnic table where an insulated tote and duffel bag set on top. His eyes flicked to her as he unzipped the duffel and suggested in a cavalier tone, “Or you can use the one you claim is inside your purse.”

Kennedy snorted at his jab and dug inside her bag, removing the gun she’d tucked there before leaving the house. She waved it in the air and then dropped it back into its rightful spot. Relic laughed.

“I’m going to have a lot of fun with you, big dog Kennedy.”

“You think so? I bet that’ll piss your cousin off since he’s waiting for... what was it, he said?” She tapped a finger against her chin in mock recollection. “For you to stop playing with your food. I must’ve missed it when I became an issue to either of you. I don’t bother anyone.”

“P talks to hear himself speak.”

“Pierre says exactly what the hell is on his mind because he can back it up. He meant it.”

“You’re right.”

Relic left it at that and chose one of the guns Los had brought with him to train the kids. Kennedy followed his lead—picking up a Glock to test the weight in her hands before grabbing the magazine, feeding the bullets inside to load it. Once she was done, she slapped the mag into the well with her palm, hooked a pair of earmuffs around her neck, and then glanced at Relic. She couldn’t see those piercing eyes through his shades, but she felt them because they either seared her like a raging fire or gave her the iciest chills. The third reaction they caused her body; she ignored.

“You can’t pull out a gun on someone and think shit is sweet,” he stated, tossing his head to summon her. She strutted to his side as he began walking. “P has killed niggas for less, but he let you off easy because of Tek and Savvy.”

“No, he let me off easy because of you, and I bet it’s since you need me for your master plan. Good thing, I’m an asset and not a liability, huh?”

Relic smirked as they neared the target setup where his folks were. Kennedy was off point but too close for comfort, making him wonder if he’d made the best decision to utilize her for his benefit. Her cleverness could end up either a gift or a curse for him.

“You have a very active imagination, Kennedy. You put all that together from one statement?”

“Don’t be fucking condescending because you know, I’m right. Let that be the last time you lie to me, Relic.”

A hearty laugh burst from him at hearing the warning he’d given her tossed back at him, and Kennedy grinned at its genuineness.

“I never said that you were right or wrong, but I will point out that you’re alive. Do with that what you will, and if you believe it’s because of me, you’re welcome.”

That subtle admission caused her steps to lag as Relic sauntered toward where Los was resetting up targets with his daughter, Nairi, and Jahleel by his side. The men dapped up one another in greeting while Kennedy kept her distance, debating what the hell she was getting herself into if she signed that contract. She was uncertain whether the money was worth it.

Relic was the kind of nigga that she couldn’t figure out and shouldn’t trust—the kind her brother had been to everyone outside of those he loved. Koda hadn’t hidden his lifestyle from her because he’d rather she stayed prepared for anything, but he made her feel safe in his chaos. Relic made it crystal clear that one false move could land her on the wrong side of his gun.

His position meant one order could have killers on her head because that was the type of power he held in the palm of his hand. Kennedy should’ve been afraid of Relic, but she wasn’t. A part of her wanted to decline the offer and stay far as hell away from him, but the side she’d been keeping dormant yearned to dive into his world headfirst because she saw the method to his madness. Whether to play Relic close or to avoid him rested on a balance scale that wavered each time he spoon-fed her bits of himself. The cash he was offering sprinkled on that Blaise dust he’d told Treasure about and tipped it in his favor.

“Kenn dog! Why the hell you over there, looking crazy? I ain’t sleep with you last night, girl. You can speak.”

Los’s definition of a greeting pulled her out of her conflicted thoughts. Kennedy plastered on a smile, making her way to them as Jahleel and Nairi raced to meet her halfway, throwing their arms around her waist.

“Hey, Ms. Kennedy! What you doing around my daddy without my momma?” Nairi asked. Her voice was sweet, but her stare held an accusation that made Kennedy laugh.

“I’m here with Relic. Nobody wants your dad but yo momma, Nai.”

“Right! Ms. Kennedy is Relic’s girlfriend. Everybody knows that,” Jahleel voiced, making Los snort a laugh.

“Shit, I missed the memo, Jah. When did that happen?”

“It didn’t happen. Worry more about your ex-wife you’re still tricking on while she’s fucking another nigga, and less about my shit. Jah, let me see what you’ve learned so far,” Relic requested, heading toward the shooting table where the kids’ guns were placed.

“He didn’t hit a target yet!” Nairi snitched, running to one side of the table while Jahleel rushed to the other. “Yo son ain’t got no aim.”

“Los said you ain’t hit nothing when you started either.”

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