“Zeke, meet Big Dog Kennedy.” Relic interrupted the nigga staring too hard for his liking. He held out his hand, and Kennedy didn’t hesitate to take it while moving by his side. “Like I said before, you’ve never had Kennedy like I have her. Help my folks with your issue while I walk her out.”
“I’m leaving?”
Kennedy peered at him with exhaustion written over her beautiful face, and Relic nodded before leading her to the door and out into the hallway. She glimpsed past him when Sarge released a muffled yell, but he pulled the door shut behind them.
“What did I tell you? I’m not doing anymore shit like that around you if I can help it. Head to the restroom, fix your makeup, then go back to the section with the ladies.”
“So, you want me to walk away without knowing or seeing what happens? Sarge killed my brother, Relic.”
“And your old ass ex is handling it like he should’ve years ago, but that’s not my business. You are.” He slicked his hand down her hair and asked, “How do you feel?”
“I’m still processing it being Sarge, but I feel relieved. Confused about whether I should tell my family. Sad that this will hurt Sonny.”
“Damn, you are about to kill your ex-bestie's brother, huh?”
“I’m not about to do anything. I’m not in there, and I don’t know shit. I don’t think I’m telling my family either. Maybe just my dad because he’ll keep his cool. My mom is sensitive, and so is Tekken. I don’t want to tear open their old wounds just to watch them heal differently.”
“I agree. Some things are better left unsaid. So, what about your wounds?”
“They’ll heal eventually because of you.” She reached up to cup his face in her hands and pulled him down for a soft kiss. He laid his forehead against hers. “Thank you for that because you didn’t have to do it. You could have been selfish.”
His eyes locked on hers. “What do you mean?”
“I mean what I said. You could have chosen yourself. You didn’t have to reach out to Zeke or bring him here to clear my conscience. You could have left me drowning in my guilt, but you didn’t. Maybe one day I’ll get to return the favor if you let me.”
Relic pushed out a stream of air at that, absorbing her words and touch before she planted a final kiss on his lips and let him go. The urge to pull her back into his embrace was strong, but the juddering in his pocket thwarted him from doing so as he frowned while fishing out his phone.
“What is Jah doing up?” Kennedy quizzed, screening his call faster than him.
Relic shook his head as he answered, placing the call on speaker phone so she could hear. If not, she’d have him relaying shit back and forth.
“Yea, Jah?”
“Someone is watching us.”
That rare emotion Relic endured crept up on him like a thief in the night, strangling him into silence as he froze before his hand cinched around his phone.
Fear was an emotion only Jahleel produced, and Relic had yet to learn to stomach it.
“What do you mean, Jah? Where are you?” Kennedy pressed, moving closer to the phone.
“I’m home, but this car keeps following us. I see it at practice and when I get off the bus. It’s by the house, too, but it don’t get close. I memorized the license plate when my granny just made me take out the trash.”
Relic finally inhaled a breath, scrubbing his forehead as Kennedy giggled. They both realized who Jahleel was referring to.
“What color is the car?” Relic asked to make sure.
“It’s like blue and gray mixed.”
“Wolf gray, and I know who that is. His name is Lue, and he’s one of my security guards. I have him watch you from time to time. Tell your grandma don’t send you out this late again. He could’ve been anyone coming to snatch your ass up. Go to bed.”
Jaheel laughed before saying, “Goodnight. Can Ms. Kennedy pick me—”
His sentence cut off when Relic hung up the phone on him. Kennedy smacked his arm.
“Why would you do that?!”
“Because we had a long fucking few weeks. After we deal with that nigga in the room, that’s it. Me and you are detaching for a few days. They’ll see us when they see us. Go enjoy your night, Larenn. I got shit to do, as always.”
