Relic broke down Chalise’s involvement, omitting the part where she’d also implicated Pierre for Jay’s murder as well. Kennedy remained mum, struggling to grapple with what she heard. It made sense why the girl was so fucking adamant about staying away and refusing to visit her son. Chalise was biding time until she put Relic behind bars.
“Did you tell Pierre?”
“If I tell P today, she’ll be dead tomorrow. He’ll find her ass and do the shit in broad daylight. What’d you tell me? I have to protect my investment.”
“Fuck!” she shouted and then expelled a sigh. “So, on top of Chalise having information more credible than your ass made it seem, you have a rat you can’t locate, and a CI you don’t know the name of,” she summarized, and Relic scrubbed a hand down his mouth. He knew the situation was more dire than he was selling it to her.
“It was one thing when I knew what the Feds had on me and could control what was being relayed to keep my folks out of it. This infestation changes things. We have to improvise before they pick up everyone.”
“Wait, are they going to pick me up again, or are they waiting until you’re arrested? See, this is why I wanted to fucking fight it, Relic! We could’ve already dealt with the snitches, found the rat, and ended this shit, but you rolled over like a bitch, and I fucking let you. I got sidetracked by bullshit when I should’ve kept my eyes on the objective. I can’t believe I let you fold like a pussy.”
Relic smirked before bending to cup her chin and kiss her glossed lips.
“Long time, no see, Big Dog Kennedy. I missed you.”
“Go to hell.” She pushed him away, and he chuckled. “I’m serious, Relic. We’re letting everything fall apart, and I can’t watch. I cannot fucking do this again.”
“Don’t run,” he stressed, grabbing her face in both his hands. “That’s why I was hesitant to hand over the folder. It’s a setback, but we can fix it, Kennedy. You need to trust that I can keep you safe. Can you do that for me? Nothing else about our plan has changed. You don’t have to choose right now.”
Her features pinched at the latter of his statement, but then it struck her. Relic had taught her to choose them, but when it came to him or her, he’d taught her by example to choose the selfish but logical route.
Relic had taught Kennedy to choose herself.
Before she could respond, the office door opened, and the secretary stuck her head inside.
“Mr. And Mrs. Morrone would like you to join them in the conference room, Mr. Blaise.”
“Will do, Mandy.”
Relic shot her a smile while taking Kennedy’s hand to help her stand, and Kennedy noted the red slowly pouring intoMandy’s bland face. When Mandy caught her staring, it heated a shade darker before she scurried off. Kennedy sucked her teeth.
“Where are your shades? I swear, it’s your damn eyes that have woman foaming at the pussy for you.”
“Is that what pulled you in?”
“Nope. I have big dick radar. It went off as soon as I saw you walking like you couldn’t close your legs.”
Relic spit out a bout of laughter, making her smile as they walked the echoing hall toward the conference room. The closer they neared it, Kennedy’s breathing shortened like the air was thinning around her. Her heartbeat firmed against her chest, and her gut coiled so tightly, she caught a cramp. Kennedy would’ve thought she was walking the green mile with how her body was malfunctioning as they reached the door. Relic pushed it open and then clasped a hand at the nape of her neck.
“Relax, Larenn. I can see your posture locking up. It’s just us and them. Alright?”
She nodded before easing out of his grasp to claim a seat next to Abiza, while Relic rounded the table to sit next to Morrone. Her oval shape nails raked the table, exposing her nerves, but stopped after Relic glanced down at them.
“Alright, let’s get started. Contrary to what I thought, the contract seems cut and dry, but I’d still like to go over it with my client.” Abiza got straight to work. “She’s also given two things she’d like to add.”
“Go over his fake ass bucket list first,” Kennedy said, making Relic chuckle before crossing his arms.
“It’s a lot of shit in this contract that I’d never do on a normal day, so it’s a bucket list to me, but proceed.”
“Firstly, is the custody of Jahleel. Morrone has started the petition for temporary guardianship, but it takes time. Once Relic is arrested, it’ll speed up the process. Jahleel’s other parent is deceased, so there shouldn’t be a problem. For the time being,Relic has given you power of attorney. It gives a non-relative permission to make decisions about his schooling and medical situations.”
“So, this thing with Jahleel is temporary? I won’t have custody of him.”
“One step at a time, Larenn. I can’t just hand over the rights to my son. I won’t have Jah thinking I abandoned him, no matter the situation. Yes, it’s temporary for now.”
She nodded. “Understood.”
“Second is the house. Kennedy, once they finalize the sale, it won’t be in either of your names, but of course, for obvious reasons. You must live there at least a year before the process to change that begins. Also, if you relocate or leave within that time frame, you breach contract and will have to pay back all monies made in this deal.”
