Page 28 of Disrespectfully, Relic
His statement was a slap to the face, sending Kennedy’s head jerking back. Her mouth opened to shoot out a rebuttal, but she paused since she could hear her brother telling her the same if she was being small minded. Koda’s thought process with every move he made had been to create a plan and then expand it because the first draft was always the smallest out of fear or comfortability.
“What if you start your own security company? Nothing big, but a solid team of guys who you know aren’t afraid to protect your artists. You’ll still come out of pocket, but eventually, you can bring money in by servicing clients,” she suggested, noting the corner of his mouth tugging upward as he nodded.
“Big dog muthafuckin’ Kennedy. Now, we’re getting somewhere. So, I can do what I’m already doing and use my soldiers but put them on payroll.”
“Not soldiers or workers. They’re young men you’re saving and giving legal jobs to keep them off the streets. You can pay for their training and licensing, so if a situation arises where they put a body down, they’ll be documented. Same with your record label and giving them a means to change their lives. That’s the angle you need to portray as a businessman. Reformation. Pierre is your poster child.”
“Ain’t shit changed ‘bout that nigga.”
“And I doubt you’ll change either, but the outside world doesn’t know that. It’s about appearances. I don’t like Pierre’s ass, but he plays the part well. You need to do the same because you’ve been reckless.”
“I’ve been reckless?” Relic pointed to his chest and pressed, “How so?”
“By thinking you’re untouchable but not taking the precautions to ensure you are. Your skin isn’t bulletproof, and your dick may get you in trouble. You need to look at your label like you do the drug game, and right now, you’re shitting where you eat.”
Her assessment made him crack a smile before he asked, “What else?”
“The game is sold not told,partner.”
Relic hummed with a bob of his head before he slowed down, hooking a left turn on a path cut through a thicket of trees. He drove until the dense woods opened to a clear view of dirt, grass, and manmade mounds the size of mini mountains. Once he spotted Los’s car parked alongside a row of metal bung barrels, he rolled to a stop beside it and killed his engine as faint pops echoed into the car.
“What the hell was that?” Kennedy lurched upright in her seat, alert.
“The person I hired to murder you and hide the body.”
Relic didn’t wait for her response as he exited the car and strolled around to her side—opening her door before reaching past her to pop open his glove compartment. He grabbed the folded pages of paper to drop on her lap and then stood to prop an arm on the door.
“I have more fucking money than I know what to do with, so the game being sold doesn’t move me. I can afford to be told everything I need to know, and if I don’t like what I hear, I can afford to change it. That’s your contract.”
Kennedy gave him a skeptical stare before unfolding the pages, skimming her title and the vague but standard requirements of her position. When she flipped to the next page, she wasn’t surprised to see a non-disclosure agreement. With the illegitimate moves he made behind the scenes; she was glad to see he’d covered the bases when it came to keeping his businesses concealed.
The last page housed lines at the bottom to sign, but as she glanced over the fine print at the top, her eyes damn near popped out of her head at seeing the mid-six figure salary, along with a signing bonus which was ten percent of her base pay.
“Did you read over this?” she verified, holding it up. “Your lawyer did this, or you?”
“It was a joint effort, Kennedy. Is there a problem?”
“Yes. Why in the hell would you pay me this much with no prior experience, no qualifications, and without an interview?”
Relic smirked and stepped back, tossing his head for her to get out as those faint pops grew louder in the near distance. Kennedy stuffed the contract inside her purse for safe keeping before exiting the car so that he could lock it.
“Every time you were in my presence, I interviewed you,” he told her, tugging her forward by her blazer before placing a hand at the small of her back to guide her steps. “You don’t say much, which says a lot. Your work ethic could use a little work, but you’re more focused than any other woman I can tolerate outside of Savvy.”
“My work ethic is fine, and why not let Savvy keep her position if she’s a better fit?”
“Because of the experience and qualifications that you believe you don’t have. What I need isn’t some shit that looks good on paper, Kennedy. This position requires more than being able to add up numbers and find talent. Savvy was green just a couple of years ago. She’s ripening up, fucking with my brother, but—”
“She’s not street smart,” she finished, catching his drift. Relic was paying her to aid and abet his illegal activities, and the thought crossed her mind to request more money.
“Exactly. How the hell can she help convert my street and legal enterprises into one entity when she doesn’t know shit about the one that brings in the most bread? You understand now?”
“I do, but you offered me the position before you knew about my brother.”
“You had potential, so I planned to give you on the job training to see whether you could fill those shoes. Lucky for me, you’re already an asset.”
“And if I weren’t?”
Kennedy lifted her eyes from the ground and placed them on Relic. His stare remained straight ahead.
