Page 36 of Disrespectfully, Relic

That core memory made Relic kill his engine just as one of his jacks vibrated like someone knew he needed a distraction. He glanced at his main cell’s black screen before lifting his middle console to retrieve his burner phone, flipping it open to stare at the unsaved number that he answered with a huffed breath.

“I only have one request, and that’s for you not to piss me the hell off. What?”

“Nigga, you ain’t ‘bout to keep acting like I’m fucking bothering you! I was just letting yo ass know, your favorite worker got knocked off. Bet I won’t tell you shit else,” Pierre snapped, pulling a chuckle from Relic as he stepped out of his car and smoothed out his clothes. Money was on the table, and his business trumped the erratic emotions he’d been wrestling to constrain.

“I don’t have a favorite worker, so I’m lost on who you’re referring to.”

“Bullshit. Them niggas peeped you was training TJ to fill those empty shoes that I left. Somebody popped his ass coming out of the gambling house a couple hours ago, and that might’ve been why. It had to be one of ours because it was done too slick, feel me?”

Relic hummed, scanning his surroundings as his hand gravitated to the small of his back to clutch his gun out of instinct. “And nobody caught who did it?” he pressed, sauntering toward Kennedy’s building and upstairs to her door.

“Nah, and that’s how I know it was foul play. Nigga blended right in after that move. They ain’t see nobody out of place. I almost respect the muthafucka who did it, but once the gang finds out—”

“Tell ‘em to stop looking.”

Silence he thought he’d never hear from his yapping ass cousin filled the line as the fresh scent of cleaning products, and whatever freshener Kennedy used, met him in the hall, making a smirk grow on his face. Joseph had once told him that a clean house equated to a clean pussy, and he’d taken that theory to heart.

“Anything else you need to tell me while you’re breathing in my ear, or can we wrap up this call, P?” he asked while knocking on her door.

“Shit, I guess it ain’t much else to say except you’re a cold muthafucka.”

“If being a cold muthafucka makes me a rich muthafucka with breath in my lungs to spend it, I’ll be that.”

He ended the call and then stepped back, slipping his phone into his pocket once the door swung open.

Kennedy popping into view made his brow shoot up before a grin threatened to break through on his face. He contained it with his eyes unashamedly drinking her in with appreciation. Kennedy didn’t listen for shit, but she looked fine as hell in the long-sleeve, burgundy leopard print dress that swept the floor and concealed her flaws. The skintight, sheer material hugged her curves, giving him a welcomed glimpse of barely muted nipples and meaty hips that made his teeth graze his bottom lip. She effortlessly matched his swag, and he liked that most about her.

“I thought the agreed upon color was red,” he reminded her, swaggering into her apartment once she stepped aside to give him access.

His stare wandered around her living room before veering straight back to her, catching the pucker of her pretty mouth. Kennedy was still a big fucking distraction that captured his undivided attention, even when he tried not giving it to her.

“No, you requested red, but I look better in burgundy. You can wait right there while I grab my things. It’ll only take a second.”

She pivoted on her heels to not droll over his fine ass, looking dapper in a black suit with gold trimming that was perfectly tailored to his toned build. His newest scent of lemon zest with a hint of musk lingered in her doorway before wafting into her apartment. If he came any closer to her, there was a chance that they wouldn’t make it to their destination. She took a calming breath and strutted to her couch, looking over her purse options as Relic cleared his throat while scratching a brow.

“Damn.”

His vague compliment she’d heard before but directed at another woman made her smirk as she began stuffing her things inside the clutch that matched her outfit best. She paused to peer over a shoulder.

“Oh, you didn’t know?”

“I did, but I like the reminder,” he admitted, studying the shimmering skin of her bare back that was exposed down to the crack of her round ass. Relic disregarded the twitch his dick made and told her, “You don’t need a bag either. Just your keys are fine.”

“Oh, no sir. My mother taught me to never leave the house without spare cash, and especially with a man.”

“It won’t be the first time you didn’t listen to her, I’m sure. You’re combative, Kennedy, and it’s the main reason I’m bringing you with me tonight. Being my partner means following my lead, even if you don’t like or understand what I’m doing. Remain silent, observe, and pick up on my cues. That’s what I need from you.”

“What if you’re wrong?”

“I’m never wrong in the moment. Point it out to me later, and I’ll give the same courtesy. If I step, you step, big dog Kennedy. That’s how this partnership works.”

Her nose scrunched in disapproval. “This sounds more like a relationship.”

“Either way, it’s a ship, and one that’ll sink if you fuck up tonight. Leave the bag. I won’t even ask about the contract because I doubt, I’ll need it back.”

Kennedy rubbed her nude combo painted lips together at his insinuation that she’d fail. It took every ounce of her willpower to not talk shit as she grabbed her keys and phone before tossing her clutch on the couch with reluctance. Relic released a light snort of amusement, and her eyes rolled as they exited her apartment to head to his car after she’d locked up.

“Where’d you park?” She strolled down the sidewalk, peering around for the white car she was used to him driving. Her steps skidded to a halt once landing on a black luxury vehicle with a flying woman as its hood ornament and double Rs on the grill that would’ve been perfect for Relic’s label had it not been used. “Is this you?”

---