Page 40 of Disrespectfully, Relic

“Tried it once but didn’t care much for them.”

“I think it depends on the quality. Honestly, I like it better with hot sauce and a beer, but what do I know?”

“Shit, that sounds like the dream collab to me. I like your style, Ms. Kennedy.”

“As you should.”

“Here, baby. Try it,” Logan cooed, prepping an oyster for her man because he was giving another woman too much attention.

She fed it to him in the same manner that Relic had done for Kennedy, and he accepted it with reluctance before taking slow chews as his facial features relaxed. It didn’t come as a surprise to Kennedy as she watched. He didn’t dislike the meal, the fine dining, or even Logan’s spending habits—men simply disliked what their pockets couldn’t afford.

“Wait ‘til you try caviar,” she teased, making him crack a smile.

“I’ve heard good things about it.”

“It’s disgusting.”

Tolliver cracked up, leaning back in his seat as he grabbed his napkin to clean his hands. His eyes hardened before they veered toward Relic.

“I’m here, and I’m listening. What is it that you want from me?”

“To know anything there is to know about me on your end. Those connects at the DEA, use them. A red flag goes up with my or any of my folks’ names on it, inform me. Keep me ahead of any possible moves being made.”

“You’re a little late for that, don’t you think?”

Relic leveled him a dry look instead of biting the bait. He knew what Tolliver was insinuating, but as long as he wasn’t behind bars with time to put the remainder of his pieces into position, he wasn’t too late.

“Keep me abreast anyway,” he retorted, clasping his hands together to place on the table. “I prefer to see and prepare for what’s coming before it arrives.”

“Do you know what you’re asking me? I’m risking my career, my freedom, and family for what?”

“For this.”

Relic produced a folded piece of paper from his pocket to slide across the table. Tolliver stared at it before picking it up to unfold. His body froze and heart stopped at the number scribbled across it, and the whispered expletive from Logan told him that even she had no damn clue about the amount of cash Relic was proposing.

“That’s the first payment. The more information you acquire, the better each payout will be. I’m sure this’ll lighten your load.”

“Fuck,” Tolliver hissed, conflicted. He scrubbed a hand down his mouth as the server returned and dropped off Kennedy’s food and wine. Once they were alone, he peered up at Relic. “If I do this, how soon will I get the money?”

“The same day you provide me with relevant intel. Do we have a deal, or are you walking away with the same troubles you came with? Mine will be taken care of since I have other options. I chose you as a favor to Logan, so once I walk away, deal off.”

Tolliver’s eyes downcast to the paper again. Not once in his life did he imagine consorting with the wrong side of the law, especially with a filthy criminal like Relic. The potential money swayed him because it would put him in a comfortable position to live with Logan while still taking care of his family. Hell, he could find a woman more his speed like the one sitting across the table who’d simplify his life instead of putting him in financial debt. His gaze drifted to Kennedy.

“Tell that man he owes you a shopping trip because I’m only agreeing to this because of you.”

Kennedy smiled, popped a fried squid into her mouth, and then lifted her wine glass. “I’ll toast to that. Next meeting on the golf course, Tolli.”

That got a chuckle out of Tolliver before he raised his glass. Logan happily lifted hers as well while internally spending the money before her man even got his hands on it.

Relic raised his glass of water last, tapping it against the others while his eyes flicked in the direction of the woman who’d closed a deal that he doubted he would’ve secured without threatening the man’s entire fucking family. Kennedy fit into his world too well, and he didn’t know what to make of it.

“You gotta stop fuckingthese bitches that work for you. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

Relic glanced at Kennedy when her tired voice broke through their comfortable silence. It was a little after eleven because, instead of leaving once they’d secured their business arrangement with Robert Tolliver, she’d sat and chopped it up with the man as if they were long lost best friends. Relic had let her because the more they conversed—while Tolliver tossed back glasses of bourbon—the looser his lips became. By the end of dinner when Kennedy let out a yawn and called it a wrap; Relic had more information on Tolliver than he knew what to do with. He realized right then that Kennedy and her affable persona was a vital piece he needed on his board.

“I hate when you do that.” She continued talking, hiking up her dress to fold one leg onto the seat before turning to face him. He refocused on the dark road.

“When I do what?”

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