She crossed her legs and smirked. “Nope. The realest thing you taught me is, it’s either them or me. I’ll forever choose me from now on in any situation.”
“So, when does choosinguscome into play?”
“In our business partnership. That’s all that we are to one another, right? Partners.”
Relic snorted a laugh, but it wasn’t from a damn thing being amusing. It was because of the hike of her brow and curt curl of her lips as she shoved a term that he’d created for them in his face. Never mind the fact that he’d allowed her to stay in his home, even while knowing she held hard feelings toward him. Kennedy didn’t consider that he was fucking her raw and nutting inside of her at her goddamn command when he hadn’t even done that shit for the two women he’d claimed before her.
Neither of his brothers had direct access to his money, yet she’d been swiping his card at her leisure and letting a vehicle he’d purchased in full sit for no damn reason. Relic had labeled Kennedy his partner, but even a blind person could see the privileges she held went beyond the scope of that title.
“Yea, Larenn. You’re a partner who I stick my dick in any chance I get, who I let talk shit to me like she’s lost her fucking mind, and one I’ve given more money and respect to than any woman I’ve met in my life.”
Kennedy’s smirk faltered, but then she perked up and held her flute toward him. “Let’s toast to that. To partners who fuck like animals, fight like foes, and fake love within the guidelines of contractual agreements. Cheers.”
“Fake love?” Relic repeated as they clinked flutes. She sipped hers before bobbing her head.
“That’s why I’m here, right? You’re incapable of love, but you want to fake it with me since I’m the closest thing to what you desire.”
“Kennedy, I’ve never faked shit in my life, not even a nut, and I never will. Sir?” He called for the driver, leaving their conversation in the air for her to either catch his drift or to brush it aside. “Can you make a pitstop at the nearest mall or clothing store?”
“Shopping? I know a place, but it’s pricey. Everything is high there, mister.”
“He loves expensive things. Take us there,” Kennedy chimed in, relaxing against the plush seat before finishing her champagne. Her eyes cut to Relic, whose stare held a pinch of reproach for interrupting men talking. “Is there a problem?”
He passed her his flute, deciding not to waste one of his three drinks for the day.
“No problem at all, Larenn. I’ll let you have your fun for the rest of the trip. It’s still your world.”
Kennedy almost told him that was crock of shit sinceher worldwasn’t equipped with the perks his possessed. It didn’t have that Blaise dust he’d mentioned floating in the air like unlimited diamonds and gold, granting her access to the finest luxuries life had to offer. Her world for damn sure didn’t come with the cash he’d blown on their flight, or the bread he planned to spend shopping. There was no telling what he’d spent on where they’d stay.
Kennedy was so fucking deep in Relic’s world that if she went back to her own, she’d probably asphyxiate from the drastic atmosphere change. Even his air was better like he had paid out the ass for that, too. The night prior was a distant memory as she sipped bubbly and pondered about how many moreperksshe could swindle out of Relic since his generosity was at an all-time high.
“You know what we have to get?” she stated, angling to face him. “Phones.”
“We don’t need them.”
“What do you mean, we don’t need them? We have to call Jah to check in, and I want pictures and videos of stuff here. Plus, I can’t be in a foreign place with you without a phone for your ass to toss me in the ocean, knowing I can’t swim. I’ll be fish food, and no one would even know I was here.”
“My folks saw you with me, Kennedy.”
“Nigga, please! I don’t trust them folks any more than I trust your ass.”
He shut his eyes and expelled an exasperated breath, making her giggle since she knew she was working on his last nerve. Instead of pressing the issue, she decided she’d improvise.
“Since we can’t have phones, can you at least buy me a Polaroid camera or something? One of those fancy ones Titan uses will be better, but beggars can’t be choosers.”
“I’m not buying your ass a camera either. Your phone is here, Kennedy.”
“How is my phone here when...” She stalled, and her eyes widened before she screamed, “P is here! Is Treasure with him? Are Shabu and Savvy here, too?!”
“It was meant to be a surprise, but yea, my folks are here. P went to grab the girls to catch a flight while we did what we had to do. Los and Nu are the only ones not here since one of the kids got sick,” he revealed as she bounced in her seat making him chuckle. It faded out once recalling that he had to add another important detail.
“When you get your phone, you can take pictures, but don’t post them until we’re home. Don’t post us at all.”
Kennedy snapped her head back like he punched her. “Nigga, I didn’t plan to post your ass anyway! But now, I want to know why in the hell I can’t. It’s not like your face hasn’t been onlinefor fucking—” Her sentence tapered off after his reason for those instructions clicked. “I can’t post you because of Aura?”
“Her story is going to take off, and that shit will be in full swing by the time we get back,” he stated. “People are going to start digging. How would I look on vacation with another woman while she’s missing when my face is only on social media for being attached to her?”
“So, because you didn’t end the bitch, I have to what? Play the background while you continue with a public ass relationship that social media started and she ran with?”
