Page 94 of Roulette: The Madam

“Liaison.”

A chuckle fell from her again.

“Did I say anything funny?”

“Yes. You did. Liaison? Have you not experienced a rather–impressivejourney to the most mysterious man you’ll ever have the pleasure of doing business with?”

“I have. Which is fine, but it puts each of you in the direct line of danger.”

“Danger?” She turned around, obviously offended by my observation.

“Yes.”

“Mr. Kingston, has your time in my sister’s bed not taught you anything about our family? We are danger. In the dictionary, right under the word, if you squint your eyes and look really closely, you’ll find us. All of us.”

“I don’t doubt that. In fact, I agree with it.Agree with you, yet here I am in your dressing room. You’re unarmed and I a–”

“The bullets have been removed from your gun. There isn’t a gun in your home that has ammunition. Not even the one underneath your daughter’s mattress. Roulette doesn’t like children, by the way.

“The knife you carry around has a new blade. One that won’t even cut through a cake if you tried. And, I’m not alone, Mr. Kingston. I’m never alone.”

As the words left her mouth, two armed men seemed to have developed from the paint on the walls right before my eyes. I blinked twice, convinced I was seeing shit that wasn’t real. But, after reopening my eyes for the second time, there was no denying it.

“But, I’m very happy it feels that way. That’s a compliment. It lets me know we’re doing our jobs–well. Without a liaison, that is.”

I didn’t bother checking my weapons. Without a doubt, I knew they were partially empty. I’d known it when they were handed back to me at the private security checkpoint on my way inside. However, I didn’t want to believe I’d been stripped soeasily. The weight of my pistol was the giveaway. Yet, I was still baffled. They’d entered my home.

“Blanks,” she continued, pulling out a small brush and a gel substance.

Blanks. It made sense.

“I’m not opposed to your idea.”

She dipped the brush in the gel and began touching up her hair.

“But, with all due respect, there’s no place for you in our operation, Mr. Kingston. However, there is a place for you in my brother’s life. He hasn’t had a male friend since he was born. Not one that didn’t share his blood, at least. Something tells me that you are exactly what he needs.

“My intention isn’t to reduce you to a sidekick. I think you’re far more valuable than that. However, what I see for Roulette is far more important than any place you’d ever hold in our operation. An operation that is well-equipped to continue service without your presence, might I add.”

“Roulette?”

“I apologize for not clarifying.”

She placed the brush on the top of the gel and turned to face me.

“Roulette is to wed secretly. Unexpectedly. And happily. It is you who will provide the ring and the smile on her face every morning she wakes up with it on her finger. She’s no easy task, but she’s worth it. You will see much sooner than later. The very thing she despises will be the way to her heart.”

“I need more clarification on the las–” I breathed out with a shake of my head, “You’re taking me too fast.”

I widened my shoulders and angled my head rightward. I wanted to be sure I was hearing her clearly.

“I’m not speaking to you asThe Ballerinawhen I say what I am about to say. This is Rome, the sister of the woman whohas your nose wide open and your chest ready to explode at the thought of her. She’s a dream. You’re right to be smitten by her.”

The adoration in her eyes made them sparkle. She cherished Roulette’s presence in her world. It was obvious by the suppressed smile on her face.

“You have your work cut out for you, Mr. Kingston. It’ll all make sense soon. I promise. I have little time to explain. But, life will do enough of that for us all. Roulette has a tough exterior but at her core, she isjust a girl. Just like me. Just like our sisters. She wants the love she doesn’t understand the concept or point of.

“She wants to feel all the things. The little things. The grand gestures. All of it. She wants everything, Mr. Kingston, while still being herself. She doesn’t want to change who she is for love.

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