Page 168 of Roulette: The Madam

She nodded. “Um hm.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank me? For what, Big Fella?” She yawned.

“Taking this trip with me. You didn–”

“When I agreed to take on your mess, I meant all of it, Israel. Even the uncomfortable parts.”

I laced my fingers with hers and brought her hand to my mouth. The Pluto-sized rock on her ring finger that was quick to let motherfuckers know that they couldn’t afford her rested against my lips. I kissed it before leaning over to kiss her.

Soon, she’d be my wife, and I was counting down the days until our visit to the courthouse. Rome was accurate in her predictions. Roulette didn’t care for a fancy, church wedding. She claimed it was the recipe for disaster. As for me, I didn’t fuck with enough people to fill but five seats, so I wasn’t pressed for a traditional wedding either.

“I do have one request.”

“I’m listening.”

“Get her a doula or she won’t make it to month two with both of them needing her the way they do. If I wanted the damn girl dead, I would’ve killed her myself. That was never the agenda.

“And, I don’t want Aubree to suffer because her mother is suffering. Postpartum depression is real and I see it all over Kiara’s face. Either she gets help or everyone in the house will be lucky to make it out of this phase alive.”

“I’ll get on it.”

“Give me the budget and I will make sure it’s taken care of.”

“There isn’t one if it means saving the life of my Goddaughter,” I admitted.

“Alright. I understand.”

We let the stereo do the talking for us. Silently, we journeyed over to her sister’s home. The driveway was flooded with cars totaling a very cool $1.8 million or more. Amongst those was a powdered pink Beetle. I shook my head, realizing I’d allowed Roulette and Malaya to convince me that it was time for her to learn to drive and get her learner’s permit.

As long as she was in the presence of an adult, licensed driver, then she was good to go. For three weeks, day in and day out, Roulette taught Malaya how to handle the wheel. By week four, she was better than most Clarke drivers who’d had their license for over a decade.

“I see you looking at her whip. Don’t be a hater, baby.”

I shook my head, releasing a sigh. Malaya was growing up and Roulette took every opportunity to remind me. Though the Beetle was only a starter car to get her feet wet, it symbolized her independence. I wasn’t quite ready for that or her on the road.

“Come on. You look like you’re about to cry and you’re ugly enough when you aren’t crying. I can’t imagine you being brought to tears.”

“Ugly? Girl, don’t fucking flex. You know what’s up.”

“Um hm.”

I followed Roulette into her sister’s home. The baffling darkness quickly turned into beaming light. Instantly, I was surrounded by the people I loved most.

“Surprise!”

Roulette faced me. Her smile didn’t stop at her cheeks. It didn’t end at her eyes, either. It was all over her. Happiness radiated from her body. She pulled me in for a hug, and whispered in my ear.

“I love you beyond this world. Happy birthday, Big Fella.”

When she pulled away from me, she dangled a set of keys in front of me. I didn’t miss the double Rs on the logo. Neither had I missed the dealer tags on the whip out front. I assumed it belonged to someone inside. However, I had quickly found out that the owner hadn’t made it inside just yet.

“Thank you, Princess.”

“Happy Birthday, Daddy!”

Malaya wrapped her arms around me and was gone just as swiftly. She’s convinced Rome to let her drive to rehearsals andthen to dinner. I was the least of her concerns. Her new car and mentor were all she had on her brain.

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