Page 32 of Roulette: The Madam

“Egypt is my wife, Roulette. Of course I understand. Decisions she made, my family is still dealing with the consequences of. I understand.

“What I don’t understand is your method, but that’s not for me to worry about. Your safety is. If something happened to you, there wouldn’t be a Colombia to go back to, Roulette. I’ll burn that bitch down with my own two hands and be ready for whoever comes for me because of it.

“Don’t make me dismantle an entire country because a nigga betrayed you. I need you to be sensible in the decisions you’re making right now. I know you and telling you to let it slide won’t fly and I don’t blame you. But, don’t make me worry. Don’t do that to me.”

“I’m sorry, Teddy. I won’t make you worry. I just need to blow this steam off and I need you to look the other way while I do it.”

“That’s asking a lot of me, baby.”

“Please.”

“I will, only if you promise to tell me if you plan to visit Colombia again. I need to make sure you’re taken care of. Tibú is a warzone, Rou. There are more victims than there are residents.

“I know that man is practically untouchable at home, but he’s not invincible. I can’t vouch for the next motherfucker when it comes to keeping you safe. But, I know how far I’m willing to gofor you and that’s beyond the depths of hell. Until I see you with a nigga willing to do the same, then I will be watching,closely.”

“You really be giving stalker vibes. Like, Egypt’s pussy not powerful enough to put you to sleep and shit at night? Because, I promise you need some sleep. Some rest. Some damn silence. Maybe a date night. Something.”

“Roulette–”

“Okay. But, I’m just saying, Teddy. You worry too much. I’m fine. I’m not in any danger. And, you don’t have to spend your days keeping tabs on me. I’ll be a free agent until God calls me home, so we’ll be at this until then. I don’t care to age you faster than necessary because of it. I’ll be alright.”

“I don’t doubt that you can handle yourself. I know you can. But, sometimes you’re blinded by your own shit and I don’t want this to be the case.”

“It’s not.” I sighed. “But, I get it.”

“Looking the other way, Roulette.”

“Thank you.”

“As long as you keep your head and standards high.”

“Always,” I promised with a smile.

“Chino doesn’t deserve the breath in his body, baby, but I’ma let the nigga breathe because I know you have something better in mind.”

“Much better.”

“Then, I’ll leave you to it as long as you promise to walk away unscathed.”

“Pinky promise.”

I held my finger in the air, knowing that by the time I reached Chem, he’d be gone. He lifted his in the air and nodded.

“Goodnight, baby.”

“Goodnight.”

I watched his long limbs stretched to their full length in slow motion. However, a single blink revealed his swift departure. He vanished into thin air.

Out of all his siblings, it was Makai and I that ran his blood pressure the highest. He’d made it clear on several occasions, but handled it well. He dealt with us much differently than he did the others because he understood that we’d do what we wanted in the end.

See you soon, Teddy.

NOTE.

Between the covers of this book ismyart piece —beautifully paired words structured formycreative satisfaction and later consumed by others for enjoyment.

It’sleisure for you, it’slife for me.

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