Page 25 of Roulette: The Madam

I paused, giving him a chance to explain, because obviously we’d done a piss poor job at choosing a home.

“I’ve spent the last five days searching.”

“Hm, I guess my brother didn’t hide me well enough.”

“He did. I’m six years into this shit with you, Roulette. I know what you like. I know what you can’t live without. So, those things narrowed my search.”

“Hmm– There’s the Chino I know. The smart one. I’m not sure who the nigga is that’s been running around Clarke in my absence, but I want him off my property and out of my fucking life.”

“Roulet– Listen, I did you one and you did me one dirtier. You fucked my plug, delayed my shipment, and fucked up my money. Isn’t that enough?”

I chuckled, shrugging my shoulders. I gave him my undivided attention as I folded my arms, wondering if he was serious.

“Didn’t you say you knew me? You know what I like and what I can’t live without?”

“You kno–”

“Then you know it will never be enough, Chino. Fucking Matías had everything to do with my desires, and very little to do with your pain. Although, it was a major factor. His money is long. His dick is good–”

Chino’s eyes widened as his eyebrows lifted on his forehead. A hand went to his chest as he tilted his head, trying to digest the words coming from my lips.

“And, his status makes him untouchable. I was in need of a vacation after walking in on my man fucking my club’s manager. Hadn’t I been one to follow the rules, Matías would’ve been fucked the first night you introduced us.

“I did you a favor by keeping my legs closed. You didn’t show me the same courtesy so here we are. A week is nothingin comparison to a lifetime of pain should I accept you and your oops baby. Your dick isn’t hitting like that, Chino.”

He was speechless, staring at me through slits. I turned to leave, completely and utterly disgusted with his presence.

“Whatever you want, Roulette. Matías can be water under the bridge. Just– hear me out. I’m begging you. This is me.”

“Which makes this shit even harder to believe, but I have never put nothing past a nigga. Not even mine. And, please understand that I am not asking for permission or a pass to fuck who I please at this point, Chino.

“I am a very grown, very single woman who will do who she wants, when she wants, how she wants, and for whatever reason she wants. Your audacity is disgusting. So is your presence.”

“You talking about leaving a nigga. What you expect me to do? Sit back and watch you walk away?”

“I suggest you close your eyes, then, because I’m as good as gone.”

“Roulette… we have too much fucking history, baby. This me you talking to. Ain’t shit in this world I wouldn’t do for you, Roulette. Nothing.”

“Except follow the rules–”

“I– I fucked up. I fucked up. I can have her get rid of the baby. If I have her get–”

I tittered.Niggas belong in the deepest pit of hell. Burning. Twenty-four hours a day.

“You sound pathetic. You think I’d advise you to have a woman terminate her pregnancy to save a relationship that is dead? Look at me. Look at me, Chino.

“Do I look like that type of motherfucker? Don’t insult me like that. It’s offensive. And, it insinuates I’m a weak-minded, dependent bitch that can’t live without a busted balls ass man. I’m notthatpressed to have or keep a nigga. I never will be.

“I am pressure, in every sense of the word. Act like you know me for real before you piss me the fuck off out here. Just like I got you, I can get a hundred more niggas. It’s not a fucking problem, Chino. You are.

“The child has absolutely nothing to do with how foul their parents are. That’s all on you. And– If we’re being honest, Kiara owes me nothing. It was business. All business. Never personal.

“But, you– you drunk dick, big veneer wearing, asshole licking, lab-grown diamond flossing, botched circumcision having, bad bladder toting, excessive slobbering, constipated piece of shit, you owed me your loyalty and couldn’t give it to me. Even after I gave you everything a nigga could ask for.

“The truth is, it doesn’t matter how unconventional our union was, you wanted more. Greed is a characteristic of nearly the entire male species. You’re on brand, Chino.”

“Roul–”

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