Page 85 of Roulette: The Madam

As long as I keep my eyes open.

Straightening my slightly misaligned posture, I relieved my spine and squared my shoulders. Rhea wouldn’t stand for rounded shoulders and a curved spine in a room full of men. It was imperative I kept my nose at its highest point and my shoulders spread as far as they’d go, demanding respect in male-dominated spaces.

“Gentleman, I am a Madam. I amThe Madam. And, I advise you to never let the pussy between my legs fool you into believing that I am someone to play with or play on. I’m not.”

“I am just as much a killer as I am a woman and I have never had a hard time layinganyonedown because I menstruate. If anything, that cute detail makes me more dangerous, more unpredictable, and less likely to give a fuck.”

I paused, taking a look at everyone at the table. Everyone excepthim. My declaration wasn’t news to him. It was a reminder.

“Whether you proceed is dependent upon the answers you supply for the questionnaire in the folder in front of you. This exercise was designed to determine your value, level of dependency, knowledge of the drug trade, educational hindrances, and thought process. They’re all a priority in this line of work.

“Your answers will also help us determine if you are an asset or a liability. If you’re lying, we will know. So, be truthful or you can consider yourself eliminated now. There’s no need to waste either of our time. You have exactly thirty minutes to complete the exercise.”

“I will not return to this room. Our time together has ended. You can see yourselves out once you’ve finished. Leave your folders where they are. We’ll collect them. I’m wishing you all good luck.”

Click.

Clack.

I rushed out of the conference room, ready to catch the breath I’d been holding for the last few seconds. The smell of his cologne touched every hair in my nose, sending the ones across my entire frame to the sky. They raised like blades of grass in the middle of spring, causing pain all over my body.

An uncomfortable silence lingered as Makai and Malachi followed me down the long hallway. I could feel their eyes on me, studying me as thoughts ran through their minds. I wondered exactly what was happening in their heads, but I didn’t bother to ask.

While one could hold their tongue and likely would, the other couldn’t hold water. He’d spill. There was only a matter of time.

Click.

Clack.

“You got that nigga whipped, sis,” Makai blurted, stopping me in my tracks.

I whipped my head in his direction. My body followed. Facing them, I folded my arms near my breasts.

“Excuse me.”

He chuckled, stopping just shy of my personal space.

“Throw that slim ass neck all you want. You heard what I said.”

“I let you slide earlier, but I’m not going to let you and those boats you call shoes keep testing my patience. I know your eyes are nearly bigger than your skull and the brain it protects, but you’re seeing shit that doesn’t exist.”

“Or have anything to do with you,” Malachi added.

“I don’t know whatorwho you’re talking about.” I lied through my teeth. It was uncharacteristic of me, but the words fell from my mouth so effortlessly, I grew concerned.

“When you start lying to me, sis?”

“Makai, please–” I laughed. He knew me too well.

He didn’t respond. He stared daggers at me, waiting for me to fold. I didn’t. But, I did inquire.

“Who?”

“Jerusalem.”

I couldn’t contain my laughter. I held my chest as my cheeks warmed and my head shook from one side to the other.

“Jerusalem?” I repeated.

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