Page 40 of Chemistry: The Chemist

Someone had to get in the field. For three months, I took pole lessons twice a week to make sure that someone was me. There was no way I was giving the opportunity to Macy.

“The Madam.”

“The Madam?” Bradford nearly choked on his coffee.

“Yes.”

“So, we’re dealing with a woman?”

“Supposedly. She, she, she. They’re a very private bunch of women working, but when they mention The Madam, they’re referring to a woman.”

“Goddamnit. I wasn’t expecting that.” Jack gasped.

“There’s a meeting happening soon. Apparently, they don’t happen often but when they do, she selects a few women to attend for the entertainment of her guests. I need to be in that meeting, Jack.”

“Does it look like you’ll be in the lineup?”

“I will make sure I am. If I sit this one out, there’s no telling when there will be another one.”

“Good. Good. Yeah. We need you there.”

“Any illegal activities you’ve witnessed so far?” Macy spoke.

“Nothing of importance. Nothing worth jeopardizing the investigation to pursue.”

“Let’s focus on the task at hand, Macy. The Grey List. anything else is irrelevant,” Bradford added.

“Is there anything else?”

“No. Nothing I can think of.”

“Alright. Check-in is next week. See you then, Johanson.”

“I look forward to it more than anything.”

I ended the video call, wondering if I was truly looking forward to the next meeting with my team more than I was my next meeting with Mister.

Not even a little, I admitted.

My legs stretched one in front of the other as I moved toward the large window. On the sixteenth floor of my building, I could see most of downtown Clarke. It was breathtaking, making me consider selling my home in Windridge to live the high-rise life.

Valet emptied your trash, parked your car, and handled your bags if you came in with any. Because it was only me, it still felt spacious as my home. I didn’t have many complaints.

My arms locked underneath my breast as I leaned against the window. The city continued to move in his absence, but for me, life stood still. I couldn’t seem to grasp the concept of moving forward. Everything stopped.

“Where are you?” I whispered.

There hadn’t been a mystery I wasn’t eager to solve since I was a child. It was the reason I’d landed the job I had and quickly rose to the top of the force. But this time, for the very first time in my life, the allure surrounded his mystique.

It was thrilling. Exciting, like the childhood memory of sticking your hand inside a box fan to slow down the blades or stop them from spinning completely. He was the blade.

I was the fool who was willing to try to slow him down or stop him long enough to notice me, again. Long enough to kiss me feverishly. Long enough to hold me through the night. Long enough to make my center cream like he once had.

“You could be anywhere out there.”

But, you’re near. I feel you.

His promise to always be there when I needed him hadn’t escaped my mind. I was still trying to determine when he’d realized I was beyond the desire of him. My hunger for him had become apparent four days ago. I was famished standing next to the window.

---