Page 118 of Roulette: The Madam

The cracking of Malaya’s voice broke my heart a hundred times in a single second. Roulette stilled. Her face softened and her chest swelled. When we both turned, we found a tearful Malaya, clearing her reddened eyes. My daughter had been crying since before I got the call and hadn’t stopped.

“Baby girl.”

With open arms, I sealed the distance between us. I pressed her head into my chest, bringing her the comfort she needed.

“Prince–”

“Okay.”

Sympathy covered her beauty. She turned toward the secretary with slits for eyes.

“Addresses.”

A sticky note was slid in her direction.

“Thank you.”

Malaya and I were headed out of the office when Roulette caught up to us. Quietly, she walked behind us, keeping a safe distance, but I knew she was close enough. Her apprehension was justified. She was feeling out the situation. Gathering her bearings. Figuring out Malaya.

We all piled into the car. Roulette settled in the front seat. A sigh deflated her chest. Malaya’s sniffles caused her eyelids to touch every few seconds. When the silence grew unbearable, she dug into her purse and turned to face my daughter. She extended her hand, offering her a napkin.

“Dry your eyes, pretty. And, stop crying.”

“Thank you,” Malaya wept, unraveling completely.

“You’re pretty, too.”

“And I hate seeing you cry. It’s tearing my heart apart.”

“I– I’m tr– trying.” Malaya was a mess.

“Pull over, Israel.”

She didn’t have to ask me twice. I swerved, stopping my car next to the curb. Roulette bolted from the front seat, rounded the car, and pulled the back door open before I had a chance to exit the driver seat.

I adjusted the rearview mirror to see what was happening behind me. She settled in and patted her palm against her chest.

“Right here,” she advised, “You’re safe right here. You can cry your heart out, but this is the last time you will allow anyone to make you cry in this manner. You hear me?”

Malaya nodded. She was beyond words. The weeping had consumed her body.

Roulette reached over and began maneuvering her body toward hers. When Malaya’s head was on her chest, she rested her head on top of hers. Her hand rubbed up and down my daughter’s arm.

And, those pretty eyes of hers released tears of their own. At the realization that she was experiencing Malaya’s emotional hardship, she swiped the tears and cleared her throat.

She’s just a girl. Rome’s words sat on my heart.

“I’m Roulette, by the way.”

“Hi.”

“Hiiii.”

She’d sealed her fate in a matter of minutes. It didn’t matter how difficult she was, in the end, she’d be mine. She had to be. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Gently,Roulette rubbed the lotion into her skin. She sat on the edge of the bed in deep thought. It had been five minutes since she’d returned from Malaya’s room. She’d stayed with her the entire day, not returning by my side until she’d gone down for the night.

“She reminds me of my little sister.” She sighed. “But, a sadder, heartbroken version.”

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