Page 40 of Roulette: The Madam

“Never ask another man to fuck your woman.Especiallynot a nigga like me. I don’t give a damn how deep in shit you stuck your dick.”

I ended the call and slid my phone into my pocket. The tip of the cigar pressed into the metal railing. I slid the large door backward and entered my home. Not even the water could calm me, now. I was in turmoil. After Chino’s request, it was obvious I wouldn’t know peace. Not tonight.

TWO

In a red strapless number, I sashayed down the seemingly never ending hallway.Wildewas on my skin. Dior was on my curves. And,Christian Louboutinwas on my toes. My hair brushed against my bare back with each movement.

I wore fine bumps raised from the wintery cold establishment and the confidence my mother, brother, and father instilled in me as accessories. They paired well with the Chanel dipped in gold, diamond tennis bracelets, Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, Rolex timepiece, and Cartier ring.

I stepped into the boardroom with my nose piercing the air, my shoulders squared, and my fluffy, red-coated lips sealed. Silence painted the walls of the room for fifty. Briefly, I closedmy eyes to make way for my superpower. Aside from one my siblings and I shared due to our educational advantages as it related to the average human, I’d been gifted with the ability to see things far beyond the imagination of others.

A visionary. To the highest degree.

Write the vision, make it plain. But, time a few hundred was the only logical explanation for the gift of mine. Unfortunately, my ideas didn’t need paper. My brain was wired to design that vision right in my head. It was an architectural masterpiece. My body facilitated its birth.

I was the first point of contact in one’s journey to making The Chemist’s acquaintance, and this was why. I foresaw things for people that they were unable to see for themselves. Within two seconds of meeting an individual, I knew if they were ready for or equipped with the mindset to elevate on the level Chemistry would be responsible for.

A visionary.

My job was to save Rome the hassle of meeting those who simply didn’t have the qualities of a made man. Her job was to determine if they were worthy of Chemistry’s presence, if they were good people, and if their relationship would be the start of something neither of us wanted for our family.

Discernment.

Her gift was special and unlike anything I’d ever seen. Baby was special and we’d protected her special by any means. Not only was she our heart, but she was the heart of our operation. Quite literally.

She couldfeelwhen someone or something wasn’t right. An empath by nature, she held onto much more than we’d like, but there was absolutely nothing we could do. As much of a gift discernment was, it was often the curse we all despised.

Penthouse.

Crimson red carpet, dimmed lights, blackout curtains, dramatic draping, Victorian-style wardrobes and vanities, a bar that panned the entire lower level, wordless tunes over the loudspeaker, vaulted ceilings, champagne filled trays, intimidatingly gorgeous staff, all women, full menu, thick glassware, dancing diamonds, heavy credit cards, unlimited funds, big tips, and sex galore.

A dream.

“Um,” I moaned, reopening my eyes.

Night after night, I’d dreamt of such a place. Discovering one much like it had already been born and it was where Rather had met the love of her life, led me to believe I wasn’t too far away from making the dream a reality. However, life had put a pause on those plans.

Now that I was not onHuffington’s Most Wantedlist, I could see those through. But, first, I needed to see the numbers in my account balance rise. That started right here. Right now.

Kiara’s pretty face was the first in my line of vision. Her presence was as baffling as it was necessary. How she’d gotten the memo was beyond me, but business was business. I knew how to separate it from the shit show of a personal life I was leading at the moment. Obviously she could do the same.

“Kiara–” I called out.

“Please, Madam,” she begged, “I just want to help. If my presence is unsettling, I will leave. I understand and I apologize. I just thoug– I don’t know what I thought, but I’m sorry.”

As she spoke, she began packing up the things she had spread on the table. I waited until she’d filled her bag and was prepared to exit before speaking. The time was used to truly divide my worlds.

Don’t fuck with anyone I know, love, or trust.

Don’t fuck with anyone who can fuck with my money.

I trusted her more than I trusted most. That wasn’t saying much, but it was saying enough. Though a soft-spoken girl, she managed the club with an iron fist. Her approach made everyone want to listen and not disappoint her because it was rare she disappointed others.

I was the exception, and admittedly, it stung a little. Nevertheless, Roulette wouldn’t manage itself. Hiring someone new would be more of a hassle than I needed withPenthouseon the horizon. To lessen my stress, I swallowed my pride.

Visionary.

Even for myself, I could see things that others couldn’t. Kiara’s time was limited, but it wouldn’t end today. Being the bigger person wasneveron my list of things to-do, but tonight it was.

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