Page 16 of Collateral Love
She slid another sheet out of the folder.
Arrest records for Martin Johnston.
No charges, but documented police stops, photos of him being questioned, and surveillance notes.
“I thought you didn’t know him.” I glared at her.
She put her hands up. “I come in peace. I just want to help.”
Xavier sucked in a breath. “That’s?—”
“Public record,” Kenya said. “If you know where to look.”
My stomach twisted.
“You telling me he's already on the pig’s radar?” I said.
“Yes.”
“And you waited to tell me,” I added.
“No,” she corrected. “I waited until you asked the right question.”
I hated that.
Because it meant she understood timing better than most men I knew.
“You playing chess?” I muttered.
She tilted her head. “You've been playing checkers.”
Xavier laughed under his breath. “Damn, Zay.”
I shot him a look.
He sobered immediately.
I leaned forward again, voice low, dangerous now.
“You ever had to decide who lives and who doesn’t?” I asked her.
The deli noise faded. Plates clinked. Somebody laughed near the counter. Life went on like it always did.
Kenya’s eyes didn’t waver.
“Yes,” she said.
No bravado. No explanation.
I felt something shift then. My dick was hardening in my jeans, and the realization that Kenya was gonna be a problem, but Lil Mama was about to be my fuckin’ problem.
“You ain’t scared of what this costs,” I said.
“I am,” she replied. “That’s why I plan.”
Xavier stared at her like he was seeing her for the first time.
“You really think you can build something bigger than what we already got?” he asked.
