Page 70 of Roulette: The Madam

“And a made bitch. A smart bitch. A happy bitch. A healthy bitch. A wealthy bitch. A ruthless bitch. A reckless bitch. And, a strapped bitch. So, play if you want to, and I will show you who is the bigger bitch between us bitches.”

“You fucked the nigga that’s like my fucking pops.”

“You’re pathetic for thinking a nigga only five years your senior is like your pops,” I expressed, “Should’ve been the first red flag, but meeting Israel was. I knew then I’d chosen the wrong friend. See, Israel is more of my speed. You– well, youwere decent enough. Paid enough. Fucked good enough. And, made perfect sense until Israel made better sense. But, we’d made a pact and I’m loyal to a fault. Shit, my loyalty might be my only fault. Nevertheless, I was loyal to a nigga that was loyal to one thing–his dick. So, if you think I give a fuck about how you feel, please think again, Chino. I don’t.”

“You been waiting to fuck this nigga.” He chuckled, sarcastically.

“If I’d known his dick was that good, I wouldn’t have. I’ll be kicking my own ass for the next twenty years for waiting at all. He should’ve been fucked within an hour of our introduction. Silly me. But, that night and so many more he’s been the source of my relief, appearing behind my lids whenever I close my eyes to get to that sacred place. I’m a little sad though– realizing the man is so much more pleasurable than the imagination.” I sighed.

Chino’s arm pressed into my skin as he yanked me up from the bed. As soon as my feet touched the ground, my Glock touched his temple. I had every reason to pull the trigger, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.

Though Chino meant nothing to me now. It wasn’t always the case. And, that small piece of me that still cared about him as a human and not a lover wouldn’t allow me to end his life. There was a child that would spend their entire life hearing about how great of a father her dad could’ve been and I couldn’t have that on my conscience. Not when it came to Chino.

As a thirty-year-old woman, I missed my father every day. I couldn’t imagine a child going through the same. I would kill Chino in other ways. Ending his life wasn’t it. At least, not at this moment. He wouldn’t avoid death if he tried me a second time. This was his only pass. There wouldn’t be another one.

“Roulette–”

His eyes softened as his life flashed before him. The power I held at the moment I wasn’t enthralled with. It felt useless. Pointless.Wrong.

“Don’t ever fix your dick beaters to touch me in any way from this day forward. You played a game that you lost at. Booo fucking hoooo, Chino. Cry tomorrow, tonight is not the time. My victory doesn’t come with an opportunity to retaliate in any way. You lost. Accept that shit and move on like I’ve accepted mine.

“You want me to be somewhere sad, sliding down the wall, crying until my nose snots, and begging you to do right by me. Newsflash, Chino. I’m not that bitch. Never been. Never will be. I’m a made bitch. A paid bitch. A real bitch. A confident bitch. You want a bitch that’s going to cry you a river, then settle with Kiara.

“That’s the bitch for you. I’m not her. Make this the last time you open your mouth to say more than two words to me. I told you I was done and I meant it. You were foolish enough to try and make this shit work. It’ll never work. You disgust me. That’ll never change.”

“Then just give me my paper back and I’ll leave you alone. I get it now. This shit is done.”

“You not getting a fucking dime back. That’s my money. Niggas don’t get to play without paying. You know the fucking rules, Chino. If you thought you were exempt, you thought wrong. No one is exempt.

“I didn’t earn my title asThe Madamby giving niggas a pass. Not even my father could piss me off without paying. You’re not special. Consider it payment for your life because you almost didn’t leave here with that motherfucker tonight.”

“It’s two million dollars, Roulette.”

“It could be two billion, nigga. It’s mine. If you want that shit, take it. We both know how that’ll end for you, so be wise about your next move. It will likely be your last. Now, if you’llexcuse me, I have to get to my bed and rest. I just got the dick of the century and you want to run your fucking mouth. I’m not interested.”

I lowered my weapon and headed into the living room. My trench was now on the couch. I pulled it up onto my shoulders and slid into my boots. Within seconds I was out of the door and on my way down to collect my car.

Exhaustion was weighing me down, but I was in no shape to drive home. However, staying with Chino tonight was not an option. A little sleepiness was nothing a phone call to my favorite girl group couldn’t cure. They’d surely keep me awake on my journey.

“Leaving for the night?” The concierge asked.

“I am.”

“Let me have valet pull your car around.”

“Your room number?”

“P12.”

“Great taste,” he complimented. “One minute, ma’am. Your car should be near.”

The higher the level of your room, the closer your car was to the door. That was a part of the policy atThe Carmichaelthat I loved.

“Thank you.”

I was obsessed with the spring weather’s approach in Clarke. Instead of waiting inside, I pushed my way out of the round exit.

1:27a

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