Page 54 of Roulette: The Madam

Involuntarily, my nose followed the fragrant pleasantries. When my vision cleared and the main attraction came into full view, I flatlined. My heart stopped beating. My lungs collapsed. My limbs lost their mobility.

I fought for relevancy in my head, but quickly lost the battle. So did Yara. So did Malaya. So did Meela.

Red lips.

Red haltered dress.

Diamonds. Everywhere.

Stilettos.

A perfectly sculpted frame.

And, a presence that was unmistakable.

My gaze never departed. I watched as she made a home for her Birkin bag, hanging it beside her as she made herself comfortable in the empty seat on the opposite side of the elderly couple. Their bodies shielded mine, but I had a direct path to her. Hadn’t I, then I would’ve surely made one. She wasthatfucking admirable.

As if he’d been struck by lightning, Henry stood in front of the dark beauty with his eyes glued on her chest. I watched as he swallowed a lump in his knotty ass throat. My nostrils flared in disapproval, forcing me to realize I was alive and well. My heart was beating. My lungs were working well. My limbs were functioning.

“English Rose, Henry.”

RoulettefuckingChilders.

The woman. The myth. The legend.

I’d learned great things about the nearly thirty-one year old bombshell. But it had only been once that I’d actually encountered her. That was three years ago. Somehow, she’d gotten three times more beautiful. More commanding. More irresistible. More confident. Sexier. Wealthier.

She was a heavy weight in Clarke. A high roller. A major player at any table she visited. The soft center between her legs was the downfall of so many of her opponents. Not because they managed to slide between them.

She was practically untouched. Practically untouchable. But, the misconception that led them to believe a woman was incapable of winning the game that was designed for men. She entered the entertainment world and nearly shut down every circus act in the city.

However, the low lives needed somewhere to hang, because they couldn’t enter her spot if their pockets weren’t laced. So, she let an establishment or two remain. They didn’t share customer profiles, so their business wasn’t hurting her pockets.

“Yes. Of course. Welcome.”

Frozen in place, Henry stayed grounded. He didn’t move an inch. I wasn’t even sure if he was breathing. With a shake of my head, I watched him dangle from the hook she’d thrown. He’d caught the bait and couldn’t let go.

“Any minute now,” she urged.

Long, dark lashes batted in his direction as she waited for him to move around.

“Uh– yes. Yes. English Rose Martini coming up.”

Henry shuffled his feet, ready to tend to her needs. Not just the request for a drink either. Anything she needed, he was ready and willing to give her. She’s cast a spell and he’d fallen victim, swiftly. I couldn’t fault him. Hadn’t I been able to avoid those eyes, that smile, those lips, and that face, then shit would be looking sketchy for me too.

Hell, I had yet to encounter her, and I was wondering if that table was even necessary. If Meela’s presence was necessary. As long as Roulette was at the bar, I had the right to believe I would be at the fucking bar.

Oh, Chino. My guy. I groaned, inwardly. Taking another sip of my drink, I chastised him.Letting this woman roam Clarke was a bad fucking decision.The worst.

“I truly appreciate you, Henry.”

She was slow to progress with her words. She didn’t need time on her side. It was her servant. It only moved when she was ready. The entire restaurant had come to a creep. Everything around us slowed down like a scene straight out of a movie.

“My pleasure.”

This nigga is a fucking fool if I’ve never met one. Chino was heavy on my mind. His ex-woman, however, was heavier on my mind.

She nodded, watching closely as he moved across the bar with ease. When he returned, he slid the glass across the bar, holding on to the bottom of the stem as he stared up at her. My temperature rose, and sooner than later, I wanted him out of her fucking face.

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