Page 39 of Roulette: The Madam

“I understand, but those are a different breed of women. They’re unlike the others. It’s not that fucking simple. How do you plan to do that? I can’t help you with this one. Shit,” I huffed, “That’s close to impossible. I’ve been trying to figure out how you slid into that line of fire since the day you told me she was yours and here you are fucking it up.”

“You can help, El,” he revealed.

“I can’t,” I replied, pulling from my cigar, “I won’t. Your dick, your issue.”

“It became yours when she made her terms clear.”

“How so?” My ears lifted a half inch and so did my eyebrows.

“We had rules to our thing. You know– She hated the idea of a traditional relationship so she let a nigga explore to keep me from being all up in her space while she got to her money and ran her businesses with an iron fist. Dick is a distraction, according to her and her people. But, there were rules. Don’t fuck with anyone she loves, trust, or knows. Don’t fuck with anyone who could fuck with her money. And, don’t bring her babies.”

“You broke the last rule?”

“I broke all three, El. I’m in deep shit.”

“You fucked someone she knows? Loves?”

“The manager of her spots. I never told her. She came back to the states, ready to surprise me. Kiara was bent over in my bed, getting her back blown out. This became the norm for us. A nigga got way too comfortable. Had that fucking girl legs in the air five times a week, letting off in her shit like she belonged to me. Like I wanted to be with her. Like she was Roulette.”

“You’re smarter than that, Chino.”

“I know, which is why I’m beating my own ass. I have a fucking kid on the way and it’s not with my fucking woman. She done wished a nigga well and promised to put that fire on my ass if I can’t get the message. But, she gave me something to work with, and that’s the true reason I’m on your line.”

“Speak your mind.”

“She didn’t hear of Kiara’s pregnancy from me. Neither did I tell her I was fucking ole girl. When Roulette arrived at my home, she didn’t flip or make a scene. She joined us.”

Wordlessly, I listened. At the final three words, my head lifted and fell. She was in total control, and she’d remain incontrol as long as Chino was above ground. Ironically, she was the biggest part of his small world. He wouldn’t survive long with her roaming the streets without his leash.

“And, for that, she wants me to feel exactly what she felt.”

He paused as his words became lodged in his throat. Quietly, I waited for him to gather himself. I pulled from my cigar again.

“Two million and a night with Israel.”

I choked on the thick smoke attempting to exit my mouth.

“With you and Israel is how she put it. And, as unorthodox as this shit might sound, so is Roulette. She’s a fucking handful, El, but I can’t lose her. So, I’m calling in a favor.”

By asking me to fuck your entire fucking world?I asked, inwardly.

“With all due respect, Chino, I can not help you.”

“El– one night.”

“It could be one minute and the answer would be the same. Find another route.”

“I’ve tried.”

“Find another route.”

“Alright man.”

I prepared to end the call, but before I did, I had a word of advice for him.

“Chino.”

“Yeah?”

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