She cackled at his jab before replying, “It is when I’ve eaten soup and crackers for days. Did you get any rest?”
“I shut my eyes for a few hours. How are you feeling after last night?”
Kennedy paused before stuffing the remainder of her croissant in her mouth to buy time. Last night had left her torn between two versions of herself—a version who was riddled with guilt by her decisions, while the other found justification in murdering people who’d wronged her and Relic for envious reasons. She didn’t express either to him since those were her burdens to work out alone.
“I’m alright. I didn’t throw up, so that’s a plus.”
“It is, but I won’t do what I did around you again if I can help it. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Taking a life or seeing it done isn’t yours.”
Kennedy started to point out that she’d taken Lomar’s life and had almost done the same to her first love after he fucked her over, but she devoured those truths with a bite of her food. She preferred Relic to underestimate her.
“Is that the reason you let me tag along, even though I could tell that Los didn’t agree? To check my threshold for that part of your life.”
“Not at all. I did it because I wanted to do more than tell you who I am. It was time I showed you.”
She put down her fork and crossed her arms. “So, was that your way of sending me a warning?”
“A reminder, but you sent me one, too. You enacted a well laid plan you put together and then stood your pretty ass there while I did the dirty work like your errand boy. I was beginning to think that you weren’t as cold as me, but when pushed to your limits, you’re as vicious as that wet slit between your legs, Kennedy. I’ve been having an odd feeling that you and it might be the death of me one day.”
Relic stole the last slice of bacon off her plate, and she didn’t stop him because her body was too busy enduring a spine-tingling chill from that loaded statement. Kennedy wondered if he’d found her second phone or had someone tail her when she’d gone home to visit her parents. For all she knew, Relic had probably read her mind since he was so attuned with her thoughts and moves that she found it difficult to decipher whether her decisions were her own, or he’d manipulated her into believing they were. When a knot formed in her throat, she picked up her water to gulp as Relic crooked a corner of his mouth into a smirk.
“I can order you a mimosa instead if you’d prefer one. It’s five o’clock somewhere, and you’re on vacation. Enjoy yourself,” he offered, but she shook her head.
“Water is fine since we’re cutting back on drinking.”
“Who the hell said that?”
“I did. We’ve been going a little hard on the bottle, so we need a break. Either that or go back to the cap you had. No more than three a day, right? We can do away with the part where I said, you can drink more if it’s with me.”
Relic flicked a thumb over his nose and sat back with hard eyes that Kennedy avoided as she scraped the last of her eggsinto her mouth just as their cabin crew attendant sauntered over to fetch their dishes. The intercom cracked before another began to prepare them for landing. Neither of them spoke as they buckled up, putting their discussion on hold as a brewing tension built from his end more than hers. The time it took for their flight to descend and then land seemed like an eternity Relic spent biting his fucking tongue.
Kennedy studied the rigidity in his handsome face as he unclasped his belt and stood as soon as they were given permission. She sighed before she did the same to follow him toward the exit to disembark. Whatever she’d done to shift his temperament, he’d address it, so she wasn’t about to press him.
Even with his grumpy ass mood killing the vibe, she couldn’t help but grow excited as she strolled down their flight’s stairs into eye-squinting sunshine, fresh air, and a gorgeous sky that told her their troubles were thousands of miles away. She wasn’t about to let Relic ruin the small bit of peace they both deserved, so she linked an arm with his as they headed to the private transfer vehicle awaiting them. He didn’t shy away or nudge her off, and that gave her a sliver of hope.
“It’s beautiful here, and I feel lighter already. Thank you for this.” The soft smile she aimed up at him with her expression of gratitude went ignored. She huffed a breath but tried again. “This is my first time out of the country. I was supposed to take a trip with Koda for my twenty-first birthday, but... yea.”
That got him to look at her, but his resolve refused to soften as he chucked his chin to their driver, who greeted them with a warm smile and opened the door for them to slide inside. Once the door shut, Kennedy angled her body to face Relic, changing her mind about her approach.
“See, I tried being nice to your ass. I was appreciative and even did the soft girl bullshit, but you don’t like that. I want to have fun, Relic! I’m tired of arguing and going at it with you. Icould already be on my knees, sucking your dick as thanks, but you’re acting like a grouch.”
“I don’t want your fucking mouth on me.”
“Nigga, please! My mouth and you are like this.” She crossed her index and middle fingers, making his tongue glide across his bottom lip to disguise a smile. “Yea, that’s what I thought. Just tell me what the problem is instead of shutting down because I can’t read your mind, and I don’t want the money you spent on our vacation going to waste. Open your fucking mouth like you tell me.”
“You still have it in your head that I’m a weak nigga who needs monitoring. You found those lines, and know I avoid alcohol, so you’re handling me with kid gloves like I’ll sink if you don’t fucking save me. I have never needed saving, Kennedy.”
“Relic, I didn’t mean it when I said you were weak. I wanted to make you as pissed as I was, but if you believe I think otherwise, here.”
Kennedy reached for the two glass flutes tucked into the bottle chiller table stationed between them and passed him one. She balanced hers in her lap before grabbing one of the two demi-size bottle champagne options, uncorking it with caution before she filled his flute and then hers. He didn’t attempt to drink it, and her head tilted.
“What? You claim I’m judging you or think you can’t handle your liquor, so drink. You’re a grown man and can do what you want, Relic. I just made a suggestion.”
He scratched his chin hairs and grumbled, “Why?”
“Because I realized you did the right thing when you took preventative measures about drinking. You spotted a potential problem and then created a solution before it got the better of you. That was smart, not weak. Weak would have been if you convinced yourself that you could handle it while drinking until you turn into Joseph. Do you know what will make you weaker?Letting me be the reason you go against what you know is best for you.”
“Because you’d never do that for me.”
