Chapter 4
I lifted the cover to find Choc getting down to business. Her skills had awakened me from my sleep three mornings in a row. Even thinking about taking her back to her crib later had me vexed, but she was slowly relieving my anxiety.
“Good morning, handsome.”
Eden plopped my dick out of her mouth to greet me. She held that motherfucker like a microphone and as soon as she’d spoken, it was back in her mouth. My toes curled, watching her get down the way she did. It was apparent she loved dick in her mouth and the thought of another nigga having the opportunity to put theirs in it swelled my nostrils.
I pulled her upward, by that fucking ponytail, bringing her lips to mine as I entered her from below. I hadn’t expected creating an heir would be this rewarding. I hadn’t expected to form a bond in the process. I hadn’t expected to fall for the woman who’d brought him into the world. But, surely, with each passing second, I was deeper into the web she’d spun, not giving a damn about much else.
“Yeeeeeeeeeees.”
She was slippery between the legs. I hadn’t dived into a wetter pool. Her shit was always soaking, ready for me to lap it until we both began to spit up.
“I told you. He’s not paying us any mind,” Royce complained, smacking her teeth.
“That’s not becoming, baby. Don’t do that,” I advised, struggling to rejoin the moment. Eden made it hard to focus on anything but her and the money.
“He’s been in his head for the last three weeks. Here, but never here,” Royce continued, apparently frustrated with the lack of attention she and the others were getting.
My father’s grunt led me to the smirk on his face. He cut into his smothered chicken with a shake of the head as if he knew something the rest of us didn’t.
“Is everything okay?” Rather quickly spat, concern etched on her pretty face.
“Everything is alright.” Roulette scoffed. “He’s gotten a hold of something he can’t quite let go of.”
“Roulette,” I warned.
“Meaning?” Rome questioned, meeting my eyes.
“Nothing, baby.” I tried defusing it before the fire was actively destroying our dinner. “Eat your food. And yours, too, Roulette.”
“He met someone,” she spilled. “Why he’s keeping her a secret is beyond me.”
“Mind the business that pays you, Roulette.”
“She is my business and she pays me well.”
I’d quickly forgotten Eden’s involvement with Roulette. I didn’t have a rebuttal, so I remained quiet. My father’s sniggers left me with a hung head. I focused on the food in front of me, ready to drown almost everyone out.
“So, you have met someone,” Rugger inquired.
Her interest was rare. She cared very little about very little.
“Is wh–Wait, was she the date?” Royce began piecing the puzzle together.
“Royce, let it go,” I suggested.
“She was the date!”
“You robbed me of the opportunity to end Dyson because he was on a date with a woman you’re having sex with?”
“I’ll keep crossing niggas off your list if they find themselves near my shi– Change the subject. We do not discuss business at this table.”
“But, this isn’t business. This is personal,” Rugger countered. “In many ways.”
“Who is she, Teddy?” Rome wondered with those big, pretty eyes planted on me.
“The woman I’ve chosen to give me an heir. That’s it, Rome.”
“But, it isn’t,” she protested.
Sometimes, her discernment was the curse and not the gift. Kissing my teeth, I laid my silverware down and shrugged.
“What is it, then?”
“You care,” she revealed. “You care about her. It’s been three weeks, which leads me to assume it’s deeper than that, too. You’re falling in– Chem.”
She couldn’t finish her statement. Bewilderment had her stumped. Her eyebrows crinkled. So did her top lip. Her nose widened as if she smelled something foul. The revelation she was having didn’t sit well with her. Taking a look around the table, I noticed it didn’t sit well with most of the women surrounding me.
“I’m proud of you,” Roaman spoke up, wiping the sides of her mouth with the dinner napkin.
Just like the others, she reeked of wealth. However, Roaman was in a class of her own. Her gentleness was striking. She was a model woman. I couldn’t remember a time she’d disappointed me or anyone else in our family. She was careful with her words, decisions, and actions. She was pure gold.
“Be more like Roaman,” I told the others.
“Roaman doesn’t even want to be like Roaman,” Roulette taunted, making the others laugh.
“Roulette, you never know what you’re talking about. I doubt that’s changed tonight.” Roaman shrugged, not at all fazed.
“The idea of you seeing someone makes my heart smile,” Rather shared. “Good for you, Chemistry.”
Rather had been pushing for companionship for years. She thought it would be a part of progressive therapy and a way to help manage my emotions better.
“I’m invested. When ready, tell me more,” my father added.
“Tell us more about her now,” Rugger demanded.
I shook my head. “No.”
“Please,” Range begged.
“Next subject, baby.”
“If you want to know more about her, just come to Roulette. Trust me, I don’t have to say anything else. You’ll know her the second you see her. She’s breathtaking. And she’ll be in the VIP room for our upcoming meeting. She’s a gem.”
“And she’s a dancer?” Rome perked up, slightly.
“Nothing like the dancer you are, but one nonetheless,” Roulette tittered.
“Not Chem done fell in love with a stripper,” Royce teased.
“Don’t speak that way, Royce. And if that was stated to offend me, it didn’t.”
“Not at all. It just added a bit of a plot twist that is rather exciting. I’m with Richie. I’m invested.” She folded her arms and sat back in her seat.
“Please… find something else to invest in. Tonight, we’re celebrating Rome.”
“We are,” Roulette agreed.
“And if you want your club to keep standing, baby, she better not see the paint of the VIP room. I will dismantle the entire club and build another one right where it stood –only when I feel like you’ve learned your lesson.”
Her head flew backward. She found my claims to be humorous, but I’d meant every word.
“I don’t have to convince you I’m not bluffing.”
“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.
“Revolting.”
“I don’t want any probl?—”
“Trust me, there won’t be any problems I can’t solve.”
“Ch–”
Sharp eyes cut Eden with precision, quieting her instantly. That was the reason my name was to remain a secret. That was the reason she hadn’t deserved to know it.
“Get out of the chair and walk your pretty ass out of the door. If I have to tell you more than once, I promise this man’s casket will be a closed one.”
There wasn’t resistance. Not even hesitation. She’d learned from experience I meant every word I said.
“Okay,” she replied, hands in the air.
She dropped them shortly after, pushing herself back by the edge of the table. She was wearing another black dress, this one with long sleeves to battle the unpredictable March weather.
That ponytail swung from one side to the other as she pranced across the floor as if she didn’t have a care in the world. It wasn’t until she was out of the door that I lowered my gun.
Pew!
The silencer quieted the release of my bullet, but the pain of the injury made it useless. Like a wolf, Eden’s date bellowed.
Next time it won’t be the little head, I thought, making my way out of the door behind Eden.
When I arrived, she was standing next to my car in the parking lot. Liquid courage had her eyes glistening with lust.
I brushed past her, ready to get the fuck out of her face. Deciding between punishing her with my absence and fucking her right here in the open was too difficult of a task.
“Get in your car and go home, Eden.”
“Chem.” She purred like a kitten, gripping my forearm and pulling me toward her.
I didn’t resist. Couldn’t resist. She was unavoidable. She was my destination, no matter the circumstances. I was beginning to understand that. Understand us. Understand our dynamic.
My hand curled around her neck. Gently, I squeezed.
“I am not one for the games, Eden. Because I don’t lose. Get that through your skull.”
“I’m sorry,” she apologized, lips close enough to kiss. I refused.
“Not sorry enough.” I pushed off of the car, freeing her neck.
“Chem.” She pulled me back, again. Grabbing my hand and placing it around her neck.
“Stop fucking with my head. I’m not right up there,” I gritted, staring down and into her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she repeated while busying her hands with my sweats.
I did nothing to stop her from freeing my throbbing dick. She massaged it, never breaking contact. Our orbs were trained on one another as she brought cum from my shit.
The kind that was frequent as a young nigga because you knew you were about to smash something sick. Eden fits the description. Not only was I pressed to be inside my pussy, but she was sickening. Her body. Her face. Her.
“I’m sorry.”
When her lips crashed into mine, I couldn’t resist any longer. I hoisted her in the air and brought her down on my dick. Heaven was just as I’d remembered it.
Fuck.
Against my car, I stroked her long and I stroked her hard, sure I was making a mess of the black sweats clinging to my thighs. And just when I noticed her peak approaching, I dislodged myself and lowered her to her feet. Her disgruntled moan nearly made me reconsider, but I stood my ground.
“Get in your car and go home, Eden.”
I unlocked the door of my whip as I approached the driver”s side, pulling my pants up in the midst of the madness. When I slid in, I wasn’t alone. Eden sat next to me, right where she belonged. But, not tonight.
“Go home.”
She opened the glove compartment, hands trembling as she removed the blindfold. She placed it on her head and pulled it down over her eyes.
I watched in disbelief as she felt around for her seatbelt, securing it shortly after discovering it. When she rested her back against the seat, I reminded her she wasn’t welcome.
“Go home, Eden.”
“It’s been four days.” Her voice cracked. She was becoming the version of Eden that softened me. The version that could have anything from me. Ask anything of me.
“I don’t give a fuck if it was ten. I was coming back. I’ll always come back. I am a businessman. I have business to tend to. Once it’s done, I’ll always come back. What part of that shit don’t you understand?”
“I’m sorry.”
I snatched the blindfold off her face and tossed it in the backseat.
“I can’t babysit you. I won’t babysit you. Do whatever the fuck you want, Choc. Just make sure you’re able to live with the consequences, because I will have no problem doing so. I didn’t see you for four days. This time, let’s make it ten.”
“Don’t do th–”
“You don’t get to decide. You’ve made your bed. Lie in that motherfucker. Goodbye, Eden.”
The burner that I’d purchased for communication would be at her doorstep by morning. I just needed my baby to hold out a few hours longer and I’d be at her fingertips. But, in Eden fashion, her impatience had written a check her ass couldn’t cash.
She unbuckled the seatbelt and climbed out, reluctantly. I could still smell her arousal long after she was in her car with the engine running. I could also smell the traces of blood lingering.
Disappointment tugged at my heartstrings. She’d had her period. I quickly calculated her next ovulation window. Two weeks from now, I’d have the opportunity to plant my seed.
Three weeks of her madness and I was ready for a lifetime of adventure. She kept my adrenaline pumping. Kept me wondering. Kept me on my toes. Kept reminding me women of her caliber were hard to come by and I’d be foolish to let her slip away. I didn’t plan on it.
The city lights became fewer and farther apart as I got closer to home. Just as I backed into the garage, I contemplated making another trip downtown. Eden had gotten under my skin, but now I wanted her against it.
Stand your ground,I finalized before shutting my door behind me.
I headed straight for the shower where I discarded her scent and washed away the evidence of the day I’d had. By the time I pulled back the sheets, I was ready to call it a night. I had an early morning and having a late night would be an unwise decision.
Stretching my hand across the bed, I gripped my sole source of comfort other than a body that was miles away, feeling the discomfort her lack of composure caused. The brown blanket was all that was left to commemorate the bond I shared with my mother.
I slept with it nearby. For a sense of peace. For a sense of stability. For a sense of normalcy. For her. Because, since she’d been gone, nothing was the same anymore.