Page 38 of Disrespectfully, Relic

Kennedy inched forward, her eyes squinting at the designer handbag matching hers but smaller and in a different color with a charm set linked from the security strap to its lock. A small laugh shot from her after noticing the glaring ‘B’ charm that hers also carried.

“That’s how you brand your bitches,” she realized, spinning to Relic as she lifted her purse. “This bag and the charm.”

“That’s how I stamp the women who make me money and let the streets know you’re untouchable. Two questions because you almost went to the white man.”

“Almost doesn’t count,” she muttered, dragging her feet as she begrudgingly followed his lead.

The last thing she cared to do was entertain one of his hoes for the night, but she put on her game face because business trumped emotions, and Relic wasn’t her nigga in the slightest. Her antennas shot up as they neared the table because the man stood with his face stoned and his hands clasped in front of him once spotting Relic moseying over. The girl stayed seated with a calm smile, but Kennedy noted the tension building in the air amongst the men. Nothing was friendly about their meeting.

“I hope you two weren’t waiting long. I’m Kenn,” she greeted, hoping to break the ice.

The man bobbed his head in return, but his glower stayed on Relic who ignored him while pulling out their seats as if he had all the time in the world. The woman lifted a hand to give a curt wave that Kennedy could tell was forced.

“Hey, girl. I’m Logan, an old friend of Relic’s. I never met a woman named Kenn before. That’s... different.”

“It’s Kenn with two ‘Ns’, as in Kennedy.”

“Oh, got it. Are you a hair stylist by any chance? I think I’ve seen you on my for you page, but I don’t follow you. I’ve been looking for a new stylist.”

Kennedy snorted a laugh while examining the simple bun Logan wore as if she’d rushed to throw a style in her hair last minute. “I can tell. My salon’s grand opening is this upcoming weekend. You should stop by and let me hook you up.”

Logan frowned at the offer because she was aware that Relic had a salon opening but hadn’t heard a damn thing about the bitch running it. Her eyes shifted to him, and his cold stare was sharp on her, daring her to question him. She didn’t.

Kennedy sat, and Relic did the same before checking the time on his wristwatch. He didn’t acknowledge Logan’s man still standing like he was above everyone at the table because the motherfucker was a peon, regardless of the badge he was certain the man had tucked in his wallet. Relic had lined his ducks in a row for months to secure their meeting, but if shit didn’t go as planned, neither of his dinner guests would make it out of the restaurant’s parking lot alive.

“Baby, why are you still standing?” Logan asked in a docile tone. She’d caught the annoyance spreading on Relic’s face and knew he’d charge her life to the game if she fucked up.

“Because I’m waiting for your friend to introduce himself like a man. He invited us here, gave us the location an hour beforehand but still managed to be late, and then he doesn’t have the respect—”

“Who the fuck are you to respect?” Relic’s voice was knife edged when he cut the man off. His hand wedged behind Kennedy to rub her back as he asserted, “Sit down and earn the respect you speak of. As far as introducing myself, you know exactly who the hell I am, Captain Robert Tolliver. Tolli, they call you, right? Son of DEA agent Will Tolliver. Husband to Marvell and father to—”

“Don’t speak of my children,” Tolliver groused but finally took his seat.

Relic simpered and stole a glance at Kennedy, noting her spine straightening against his fingertips at the revelation that she was in the presence of a police officer. Her face didn’t show her shock.

“I’m so sorry about him.” Logan apologized while rubbing Tolliver’s arm in a soothing manner. “He’s been a bit on edge since I suggested you two meet. I told him, he didn’t have to do it, but he’s adamant about getting me out of the club to start our new life together.”

Relic nodded. “How’s nursing school going for you?” he questioned, evoking a beaming smile from her.

“I graduate soon, but I’m up to my neck in student loans. Between that, buying a new home, and Tolli going through his divorce, money is tight. I’m willing to dance for another year or two, but he’s not going for it.”

“You ain’t tell him, he can’t control what he can’t afford?”

An animated giggle erupted from Logan that she stifled after catching the glare Tolliver sent her. She tucked her lips in chagrin. Relic shot her a wink, and she pushed out a breath while adjusting her strapless dress that struggled to hold the breasts she’d purchased two years ago, along with a vacuumed waist and a phat ass to match it. The money she earned at the strip club did her well since Jessica had put her on to the real niggas getting money before she’d been murdered—Relic included.

Jessica had welcomed Logan into their bed ample times, and although Relic had more dick than she could stomach, she loved fucking him. Logan was obsessed with him and would do anything for his ass, hence the reason she’d been fucking the man at her side for half a year. She’d mentioned the police officer who was borderline stalking her at the club, hoping to evoke jealousy in Relic, but he’d instructed her to fuck Tolli instead because it could work in his favor. Logan had convinced Tolliver to leave his wife within three months and was moving into their new place by the fourth.

She’d spent the last two months complaining about how strapped for cash they were but that she had an old friend who could help them out. Logan was certain if she pulled their caper off, Relic would realize she was the perfect girl to permanently claim Jessica’s old position. The bitch beside him didn’t mean shit to her.

“It’s not about controlling Logan. It’s about wanting better for her. As my future wife, I see more for her than that disgusting club,” Tolliver stated, and Relic chuckled.

“You mean, the strip club where you met her? Don’t act above the shit when you spent weeks tricking there before she gave your old ass the time of day.”

“Tricking? That’s what you told him, Logan? Is that what I am to you? A damn trick or sugar daddy?”

“What? No! That’s just a general term used at the club! Relic knows how I feel about you, Tolli. If he didn’t, we wouldn’t be here because he doesn’t do business with just anyone. Don’t ruin this because it can open so many doors for us, baby. He can give us financial security so that we’re comfortable when we have children of our own.”

“That’s the part you’re misunderstanding, Logan. He’s not giving us shit. I’m jeopardizing a lot even being here.”

---