Page 55 of Rather: The Therapist

I heard Killian, but I couldn’t hear Killian.

The beat of my heart was too loud. The beauty of her laughter was too unnerving. The memories of our time together were coming in too fast.

“Priest,” he whispered. “Aye.”

It was the most daunting task I’d ever encountered. Realigning my vision and freeing her of my orbs cost me a heartbeat or two, but I managed. I cut my eyes toward Killian, needing to know what the fuck he wanted and why the fuck he was beckoning for my attention.

“Are you alright?”

His concern etched away at my sanity.

The woman who tattooed her pussy on my face and stitched the scent of her pussy in my brain is marrying my little brother in ninety days. No, nigga. I’m not okay. I’m losing my shit.

“Um hm,” I lied, cutting my eyes toward my mother and father who were all smiles.

This was a good thing for Kofi. This was a great thing for our family. And, I’d been on board with the idea for two whole years. But, finding out those two years were directly connected to the two years I waited for that damn woman had me conflicted. Because, they could’ve chosen anyone… anyone but her.

“You think this nigga has it in him to go through with this shit?”

I hope the fuck not. I thought, selfishly.

“It’s Kofi. One will never know until the day comes.”

“This isn’t one of those things, P. He’ll be dead wrong for breaking that damn girl’s heart. And, she’s not like the rest of his flock. She might end his life,” Killian chuckled, “We’re worried about the streets killing that motherfucker. It might just be the sheets. I heard them women get down.”

We’d all heard it. We all knew it. Unlike Kleigh, the Childers sisters were immersed in their family’s operation. They weren’t the clueless girls most syndicates raised. They had been primed and prepped since they were young children. They were the oil that kept the fucking machine of an operation fully functioning.

Chemistry kept them hidden in plain sight. I hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting any of them, or so I’d thought, but I knew they were lethal. He was lethal. And, if they were as cold-hearted and wise as the man they praised, then Kofi needed to get his shit together sooner than later. Otherwise, we’d be searching the city for parts of him that were scattered in a very strategic, thoughtful manner.

“In the worst way,” I agreed.

The world is as small as it is round. I couldn’t speak for the others, but the one I’d fixated my orbs on got down, down. Not only in the room with clients but in the bedroom as well.

The Therapist.

She’d fucked me.

Fucked my mind.

Fucked my soul.

Fucked my heart.

Though it was a quickie, she’d left a lasting fucking impression.

“Seeing her makes me wonder where the fuck them sisters hiding. I could use a Childers in my corner.”

“They’re not your type of woman, Killian. Besides, it’ll be a cold day in hell before The Chemist allows it. He’s kept them hidden from us all these years for a fucking reason. He’s only given us access to this one because of our arrangement.”

“Business. Business. Always about business.”

“What the fuck else is there for shit to be about?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Shit, life.”

“That is life.”

Nodding, he agreed, “I know. I really thought I was going somewhere with that one, but I guess not.”

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