Page 61 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“You don’t. I’d just like to see you do it.”

She was not easily moved. Roulette was me. Sometimes, I forgot shit, but she was always quick to remind me.

“I have the address to your lab, Chemistry. Please don’t mess with my money and I won’t mess with yours.”

A smile stretched my lips.

“Challenge accepted, baby.”

As I crept through the house, mind racing and still considering what Roulette had said, my phone began vibrating in my pocket. I assumed I’d left something behind and Aden was calling to let me know. However, the familiar number scrolled across the screen and told me otherwise.

“Benny. Talk to me.”

“She left, Boss.”

Over the last few days, I’d had my head in the game, fully immersing myself in its crevices to prepare for the meeting Roulette was having. Eden was no longer under my watchful eye, but someone from my team was sitting on her. I was learning the ball of fire, inside out, and I knew my absence would cause distress.

It wasn’t intentional, this time. Business was priority. A few days and I’d be back in her space.

Eden was stubborn and becoming spoiled. A few days felt like an eternity for her. She’d beckon for me, any way she could. And when she did, I wanted to be notified. That was Benny’s purpose.

“How long ago?”

“Twenty minutes.”

“I should’ve gotten a call nineteen minutes and fifty-nine seconds ago. Why am I just hearing from you?”

“Because I didn’t want to bother you about nothing. But, this is definitely something.”

“When it comes to her, Benny, everything is something. When it comes to her, Benny, it’s never nothing. Everything is something. Send me the location.”

“Bet.”

I headed for my bedroom, removing my clothes as I sauntered through the house. I changed my slacks and button-down, settling on a black hoodie, black sweats, and black sneakers. Without a doubt, there would be a funeral tonight. I wanted to be sure I was dressed for the occasion.

Only six minutes after Aden had dropped me off, I was climbing into my Benz with my favorite problem solver reminding me it was lodged between my pants and waist. I muted the volume on the stereo, choosing total silence.

Head.

Neck.

Chest.

Blood of the faceless man spilled in the visions that repeated themselves, entertaining me as I erased the distance between Eden and me. It was difficult to decide just how I’d end my life tonight, but it was surely ending.

I peeked at the address once more, calculating the time remaining. It felt like eight hours though I only had eight minutes left before I made it to the bar. I’d never experienced a longer eight minutes in my life.

When I finally pulled up to the hole in the wall, shades and hat concealing my identity, I searched for the car that was registered to Eden. Within seconds, I located it, parking right beside it. I hopped out and headed toward the entrance. Thankfully, no one was covering the door.

The dark, smokey atmosphere should’ve obscured my vision, but I laid eyes on Eden almost immediately. I was drawn to her. It was inexorable. I could feel her, even when she wasn’t around. For a few seconds, I watched her at the table for two, scanning the small building for any signs of danger.

For any signs of me.

I approached the unsuspecting victim, training my gun on his temple as I stood beside him. It was possible I was concealing my piece poorly, but my irrationality didn’t allow me to give a fuck.

“Good evening, Eden.”

Frozen in place, she looked up at me with wide eyes. I watched as she swallowed the lump in her throat. The smell of urine polluted the air. I tore away from Eden, momentarily, to address the man on the other end of my barrel.

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