Page 13 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“Next time anyone asks, tell them you’ve, in fact, met the devil and he doesn’t fuck around,” I whispered.

With the butt of my gun, I left a lasting impression right above his eye.

Something to remember me by, I reasoned as he yelped in agony.

“Send this man home, Vic, but only after he’s apologized.”

He’s not welcomed with that tired-ass shirt that’s lost its elasticity.

Aden’s eyes were the first set I found as I shoved my tool in the back of my pants. He was no longer behind the wheel of the truck. He was out, posted next to it, waiting to pull me from the ledge I loved living on. With a shake of the head, he rounded the vehicle as I turned and continued inside the club.

Now, back to the task ahead before I was very rudely interrupted and accused of getting my dick sucked. I scoffed, removing the sanitizer from my jacket pocket and squeezing a portion into my hand. The blackness that rolled off his neck confirmed what I’d already known.

Too dirty.

Naturally, girthy asses and titties that stared right at you and welcomed me inside Roulette. The bass of the speakers drummed against my skin. The very familiar smell of printed bills tickled my nostrils.

Darkness sheeted the entire building. Soft, deflecting lights passed through certain areas with the sole purpose of spotlighting the women who were here to entertain.

My attention never diverted as I strolled the entire first level, ending at the door that was shielded by two men covered in black.

As I stepped forward, announcing my presence with the timepiece on my arm that had diamonds dancing to the beat of the drums in the background and the glistening chain in the shape of an Erlenmeyer flask, guards were lowered. Bodies pushed in opposite directions, giving enough space for me to continue forward.

“Chemist.”

“Chemist.”

One after the other, they greeted me. A dipped chin and tilted head sufficed. I crossed the threshold where the sounds from the main floor were suppressed and light was plentiful. Red paint-coated walls that led to two doors. Only one would lead me to my destination.

“How hard is it to follow rules?”

Hello was far too formal for the middle child. Possibly for the oldest, too. I imagined it was the reason our bond was tighter than the ones between me and the others. Or, maybe it was a false accusation she used as leverage over the others. My presence, however, supported claims she and I were closer. The jury was still out on the verdict, in my opinion.

“There are no rules, Roulette.”

“According to you.”

“Who else matters?” I probed, taking a seat in the chair in front of her desk.

She was pecking away at the keys of her computer, never taking a second to address me with her eyes.

“You’re here. What’s bothering you?”

“You don’t have me figured out, baby.”

“No one does, but I’m as close as anyone. So, tell me or get the fuck out of my office, Chem.”

I got comfortable. Roulette was always in raw form. Aside from Rugger, and possibly Range, she was the rawest.

They’d adapted traits that suggested they were female replicas of my father. Improved versions of his one and only son.

Their only issues stemmed from circumstances beyond their control. Female organs, hormones, and hearts. Their downfalls in a business were built with men in mind.

It was a sexist, misogynistic, world we lived in. Our empire was more of the same. I didn’t agree. But, because I didn’t want them in the pits of hell with me, I stood by the commandments.

An heir.

That was why my contribution to the family was crucial. At no point in time was it permitted for there to only be a single living heir in an entity of The Triad of Ara. My father’s sperm was potent but it produced one girl after another.

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