Chapter 15 - Kennedy #5
Relic paused in thought before he chuckled, noting it was after they’d gone fishing. Shabu had obviously taken their conversation about Kennedy that night on his porch to heart, and Relic couldn’t get mad about it. He’d fish for whatever else Shabu had told Jahleel once Kennedy was out of earshot.
“Are you mad at me?” Kennedy whispered, claiming the stool beside him before scooting closer.
She batted her mesmerizing eyes he revered.
“I should’ve told you about the kiss, but you were so pissed off that day at my parents’ house, I withheld it because I didn’t want to make matters worse.
I apologize, and I hate that I brought Jah into it. ”
“We both brought him into it. He clearly thought you were cheating because I leave y’all alone so much. Shit, I was thinking I’ve been doing better at being present these days. Kids will humble you, huh?”
“It’d be nice for you to be here more, but I get there’s money to be made. Gotta take the good with the bad,” she said, grabbing another bag before passing him a gift box to open as well. Relic dusted his hands clean and accepted it.
He tugged at the neatly tied white ribbon, unraveling it to open the medium sized box.
Another box made from Mahogony wood set inside of it.
Relic flipped it open, and a corner of his mouth quirked at the premium cigars lined in the center with a cutter on one side of them, and a metal lighter engraved with his name on the other.
The box’s lid also had his name carved into its wood.
“It’s lined in Spanish cedar. The man at the cigar shop said it’s the best wood for humidors,” Kennedy relayed as she studied his expression, hoping he liked it. “Hopefully, he didn’t lie to get more money out of me.”
“He didn’t. It has the best moisture control and insect resistance. What made you get me this?”
“I figured it was a more calming habit than drinking. You looked so relaxed on the trip when you were smoking by the pool, so I brought you a slice of peace home. It’s a small slice, but still.”
Relic ran a finger over the engravings, knowing she’d bought the humidor and then had it custom designed. She had put thought behind it, and nothing about the gift was spur of the moment.
“How long have you had this, Larenn?”
“Dang, you’re a stalker and a detective, too! I bought it the week we got home, but it took a bit to find a spot to engrave everything. I was waiting on the right time to gift it to you.”
“I think this might be the second most thoughtful gift I’ve gotten. My necklace was first,” he said, finding a plain bag in the haul of designer items. “Open this one.”
Kennedy tried to pick up the bag before she grunted with her eyes widening at its heaviness.
She tipped it on its side and slid the heavy duty, pink case out as a squeal burst out of her in sheer excitement.
Her thumbs flipped the locks open with haste before she gasped at the beauty nestled inside it.
Kennedy picked up the pearl pink Glock with roses engraved on its grip and barrel.
She switched it from one hand to the other, getting used to its weight.
“A bad bitch for a badder bitch,” she said, lifting it to aim at Relic. “I think I will call her Glock and Roses. Rosie for short.”
Relic chuckled and rested an arm on the island. “Are you ready to do it, Larenn?” he tested, causing her head to tip in question. “You ready to finish me off yet?”
“And put you out of your misery? Of course not.”
She winked and then packed up her pistol to securely lock in its protective case while Relic watched, stunned to silence by her rebuttal. In a rare occurrence, Relic couldn’t think of a single comeback for that shit.
“Did you see what she got me?” Jahleel said, pointing at his football gear. He lifted his necklace and said, “And I got this! She said we’ll match.”
Relic smirked and reached for his neck before stalling, forgetting he didn’t have his because she’d broken it.
“I got it fixed,” she told him, catching the move. “It’s in one of the boxes.”
“Good. Now, if I told you I wanted that second phone as a gift, would you give it to me?”
Kennedy stilled at the abrupt turn he’d taken in their gift exchanging moment. She glanced at her bag and then back at him.
“I gave you a chance to figure out whatever you were trying to do, Kennedy. Now, the shit is interfering with us, and that’s a problem for me. Tell me why.”
“Because it’s us or them, and I’m supposed to choose us,” she answered like the mantra had seeped in her brain and become a law. Relic bobbed his head in satisfaction.
“Every fucking time, Larenn. You’re putting way too much time and energy into them and in my fucking house. It’s disrespectful, and just because I know about it doesn’t change that. You knew about the women and the charms, but that was still offensive to you, correct?”
She sucked her teeth but assented, “Correct.”
“And I let you handle it how you saw fit. I expect the same in return, Kennedy. Give me the phone. If you want to talk to your friend, give him your real number, but any of those other niggas, dead that shit. Now, give it here.”
Relic held out a hand, and Kennedy stared at it before she conceded, grabbing the phone out her purse to drop in his palm. He stared at it for a beat and then peered at her.
“I don’t even know how to react right now. I expected you to fight me on it and get kicked out.”
“You were going to kick me out?!”
“I would’ve got you a nice hotel,” he said, standing to grab another bag. “Close your eyes.”
Kennedy stared in disbelief a moment longer before she rolled her eyes and then let them shut.
She wasn’t sure why, but her stomach balled in nervousness, and her heart beat a tad faster.
They were in the middle of a kitchen, and Jahleel was feet away, but she felt a loss of control as if the simple act of shutting her eyes was placing her safety into Relic’s hands.
A shallow puddle of water built behind her lids because she realized just how goddamn terrified she’d become of letting someone else have control of her at any capacity.
Her trust was shot to shit, and the man standing before her had walked straight into a fire he hadn’t started but reignited after he’d burned her in one.
She jumped when he grabbed her wrist, wrapping an item around it that evoked chills. Some time passed before that same sensation wrapped around her neck as a weight landed against her chest. Before Relic could tell her to, she opened her eyes and raised her arm.
“Oh, shit! Relic, what the hell?!” she screamed, almost busting a nut at the icy tennis bracelet on her wrist.
Kennedy tried to run off, but Relic caught her by her waist and backed her into the island. He pinned her body in place with his.
“Where the hell are you trying to run to?”
“Relic, move! I want to see my necklace!”
“What the fuck do you mean, Kennedy? Look down. Acting like you ain’t ever had nice shit before.”
“Don’t do me,” she snapped, tucking her lips in slight embarrassment before glancing down. Her brows pinched at the silver key charm with a diamond encrusted crown set on top. “A skeleton key? Aww, because I’m the master key to your heart.”
“You wish, but that was cute.”
Relic tucked the necklace inside her shirt, making her frown deepen as he grabbed a small box to carefully pluck out the matching huggie hoop earrings to accompany her tennis bracelet. Kennedy had moved too fast as usual, and he hadn’t gotten the chance to put them in before her eyes opened.
“Don’t take the necklace off. Even when you go back to hating me and don’t want shit to do with me, wear that. You hear me?” he stressed.
Kennedy nodded and placed a hand over it like it was her sacred relic. She was uncertain of its meaning, but he’d tell her once he was ready for her to know its importance.
“My food is cold, fucking around with you.” Relic sat down and looked at Jahleel, who had both elbows perched on the table, and his chin rested on his palms. He was too invested in their conversation. “You don’t have homework or any kid shit to do before bed?”
Jahleel tossed his head with a slow-forming smile. “I got a question, though. Why you ain’t get Ms. Kennedy a ring, too?”
“And on that note, I’m going to shower,” Kennedy let her boys know as she backed away. “Relic, warm up your own damn food before you even ask. Oh, and I’m hanging out with the ladies this weekend, so you have to take Jah with you wherever you’re going.”
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he called out to her departing back since she was already exiting the kitchen. Kennedy kept it trucking.
“That’s for me to know, and you to find out, stalker!”