“You know what you’re doing is coercion, right?”
“Be that as it may, I learned from the best. So, are you my man, or am I about to do bald head, hoe shit with my girls? What are we doing, baby?”
“Stop stealing my steez,” he grumbled and clenched a hand at the nape of her neck. Relic hovered his lips above hers and warned, “Be careful what you ask for. If we’re in a relationship, that means you can’t hate me, Larenn. Give me a fighting chance.”
“Done.” She pecked his lips and commanded, “Now, go tell your little friend, and take that damn charm back.”
“Nobody gives a damn about that charm.”
“I do. It’s you branding women as yours, but none of them belong to you now. Only me, right?”
Her stare, that held a look between a dare and a need for confirmation, sent his head shaking before he turned to reenter the bedroom where Milan stood near the doorway. He read the hurt in her expression like she’d watched their exchange the entire time, torturing herself with an answer she craved to know but couldn’t accept.
“Are you two dating?” she asked as if it wasn’t clear. “Is this house for her?”
“We are, and it is.”
“Why her?” she pressed, stuttering a breath through the tightness in her chest. Her eyes went to Kennedy, and she tried to find the reason Relic would choose the facially scarred woman over her. “I thought we had a good thing going, Relic. I do whatever you ask, and I never fall short. I’m smart and established, so I take care of myself. Plus, I look good on your arm. We complement one another.”
“So, I’m dumb, broke, and not pretty enough is what you’re implying?” Kennedy pressed, catching the shade.
Milan gave a vehement shake of her head after noting Kennedy’s harsh tone. She was hurt but wouldn’t fight for Relic because she’d never been in a physical altercation in her life.
“No offense to you, but I assumed Relic likes a certain type of woman since he dealt with me. We’re... different.”
Kennedy laughed before taking a step forward with a clasp of her hands. She was hoping they’d get through the viewing without having to read the poor woman for filth.
“Milan, you are beautiful, and there’s no denying that fact, but so am I, even with a half-scarred face. As far as us being different, you’re right, and that difference is the very reason he’s here with me. Woman to woman, learn to stop acting like you need this nigga. You’re pleading your case when he’s already chosen me. You’re listing what you can bring to the table, but your actions don’t match your high qualifications. What you’re doing is showing us, you need a man for validation, and I hate that for you.
“Don’t ever beg him, or any other man, to choose you because if they wanted to, they would. They see what you can offer, but you give it so freely, they take it for granted. If you don’t walk around this muthafucka like you are the prize, they won’t see you as one.”
“I just—” Milan choked on her words, allowing what Kennedy told her to settle in as she sighed. “I thought that if I treated him well, and did as he asked, he’d see that I’m a good woman because I am.”
“That’s where you fucked up,” Kennedy pointed out. “You treat the nigga like he’s special, while I treat him like the dog that he is, boo.”
“Woof.” Relic barked before saying, “Now, let’s wrap this women’s empowerment meeting up. Let me see your purse, Milan.”
She backpedaled, her head tossing as she pressed the gift against her chest like it was all she had left of him and refused to part with it.
Her voice came out squeaky and helpless as she told him, “It’s mine.”
“He’s not taking it,” Kennedy assured her, resting her hand on Relic’s arm the moment she noted the vein in his forehead protruding. She shot him a look to calm him and then strolled to Milan. “I just need to check one thing, and that’s it.”
Milan gave her a skeptical stare but loosened her hold on her bag while Kennedy toggled with the charms. When it dawned on Milan what was going on, she tried to snatch it away but was too slow. Kennedy popped the ‘B’ charm off its link as Milan gasped at the callous act.
“I’ll be taking this, and the house as well. Look at the commission as my apology and Relic’s parting gift to you. My man will converse with you about the paperwork and whatever else the purchase entails. Right, daddy?”
Relic choked out a cough and fisted a hand at his lips to hide his grin at her doing the damn most. Kennedy was about to eat being in a relationship up, and he could admit that he didn’t mind it one bit. By the time he’d get tired of it, they’d have him in handcuffs, hauling him away.
“Yea, Larenn. I got it from here. Milan, send me what I need, and inform the sellers that it’s a cash purchase. It’ll speed up the process. Can you get a closing in under two weeks?”
“I’ll try my hardest.”
“Don’t try. Do. Larenn, I have to head back to the stu, so let’s go.”
“I thought we were chilling today.” Kennedy trekked behind him after he brushed past her and Milan like he’d suddenly remembered time wasn’t on his side.
“And I also told you that you fucked it up. Just ‘cause you conned me into a relationship doesn’t mean a thing. I meant what I said. Actions have consequences.”
