Page 50 of Rather: The Therapist

“You’re right,” I admitted, “Why the flowers?”

“Wanted to make sure you weren’t slipping and had your antennas up.”

“Sorry for shooting at you.”

“Be sorry you missed, baby. That’s the only thing that’s pissing me off. You know better.”

“If I hadn–”

“But you did.”

Snap. Snap.

Once. Twice.

It was the universal code for business in our family.

“I’m listening.”

I straightened my spine and pushed the small button on the side of my handle. Chemistry was all the safety I needed. Unlike me, he didn’t miss. Even with his eyes closed and his back turned, he’d hit his mark. His precision was undeniable. I’d witnessed it too many times.

“This way.”

I followed him around the corner he’d rounded and then disappeared behind as I pulled the trigger. To my surprise, it wasn’t a corner at all. It was a very discreet pathway.

“What is it?”

“Your path to freedom if you’re ever in a jam.”

He was beyond his time and beyond any human I’d ever encountered, even Richie. Chemistry wasn’t a step ahead. He was miles ahead. While others were waiting at the start line for the race to begin, he was crossing the finish line. It never failed and he never ceased to amaze me.

Quietly, we walked down the long stretch. With each passing second, I waited for it’s ending. It seemed as though we’d never make it there.

“Teddy–”

We were getting deeper and deeper. I eventually came to the realization it continued for miles.

“Don’t give me that look, baby.”

“You did all this for me? I’m promised protection, right?”

“I know what they said and I appreciate the gesture, but you’re my responsibility. And, you will be until I’m in the ground. Fuck their protection.”

With a nod, I continued.

“The heat sensors aren’t able to pick up a signal down here. If, for any reason, you feel compromised, simply stand in front of the door we came through. Your entire body will go through a one second scan.

“It will detect your rapid heart rate and elevated vitals. It’ll know if you’re distressed and open that door. Not sure if you remember Lawe, but his people installed it for me.”

Of course I remembered him. The few weekends in summer we had the privilege to visit Berkeley while he was at Pops couldn’t end fast enough. He was a train wreck and wasn’t sorry about it. Paired with Makai and every place they visited became a shit show.

“Follow this exact path. There are three others, simply for confusing anyone who steps foot down here. Use this path and take the fifth exit.

“There you will find Benny waiting to take you to a secure location. There you’ll wait for further instructions. If they don’t come from me, from my voice, they are not your instructions. Alright?”

“Yes.”

“No one knows about this but you and I. Benny will only know when he needs to know. The family you’re marrying into isn’t to know a fucking thing, baby. You hear me?”

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