Chapter 4
The sounds in the room blended together. Pac spitting in the background, mixing with the steady sound of multiple money counter machines. The air carried the scent of weed as my nigga Syrus blazed a blunt. I wasn't a fan of the smell, but I knew it helped my guy relax so I let him rock.
I pulled the money out, thumbs flicking through the crisp bills before sliding the bands on and stuffing more inside the chamber. I looked over at Syrus, who was alongside me performing the same task but slower. His movements didn’t have their usual sharpness. "You quiet today," I observed.
He blew out smoke, head tilting back slightly before he glanced at me through it. "I got some shit on my mind."
"Got something to do with that dinner you had with your people?" I guessed.
He nodded, taking another pull and offering it to me.
I shook my head. "Aight so check this shit out," he began.
"You know I don’t really fuck with my cousin after me and him had that fight and I had to beat his ass.
So tell me why I get to granny's and shit, and this nigga posted up like shit cool. "
I add another stack to the machines nodding. "Aight, so what happened?"
"You know I don't forget no smoke, B, family or not and that nigga been wild disrespectful for years."
I smirked and nodded letting him vent.
"Aight, so I'm tryna to be civil and shit 'cause we at granny's.
But this nigga kept muttering slick shit under his breath.
" Syrus turned to me fully now, irritation written all over his face.
He tapped my chest with the back of his hand, to punctuate his point.
"Tell me why this bitch ass nigga gon' say 'I want my fade after this. '"
I raised a brow. "And what you say?" I ask.
Syrus shrugged. "I ain't say shit. Just pulled out the burner and put it to that nigga face.
Told him fuck a fade, let's go bullet for bullet.
" He took another pull, holding the smoke in his mouth as he spoke, words coming out slow and heavy.
"Now my family looking at me like I'm wrong and shit.
Granny all mad." He blew it out. "Like I'm the problem. Can you believe that shit?"
I stared at this nigga for a moment before I laughed. "Sy, you serious?"
He shrugged again, completely unfazed, and oblivious. "What I do?"
"Nigga, you pulled a gun on your cousin at a family dinner at your granny's crib."
He sucked his teeth, shaking his head. "Granny done upped a burner on muhfucka's plenty of time. She know how that shit go. Fuck that nigga."
I shook my head, still chuckling as I slid another band around a stack. “You a menace, man.”
Syrus chuckled, “Man fuck that nigga,” he repeated. “He been begging for it.”
“Yeah,” I said calmly, stacking another bundle into the duffel. “Just not at granny house."
"She'll be aight. I'ma slide her some bands and she gon' forget all about it. Watch."
I shook my head but didn’t argue. That was Syrus’ solution to everything—money and pressure. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it just delayed the problem.
We finished with the count. Once the money was placed neatly in duffel bags, we headed out to drop it off at the safe house.
We greeted the workers as we walked towards the back where the heavy metal door was accessible only by a digital code.
No one could gain access inside but us. I punched the code in, we stepped inside.
Syrus posted by the door while I stepped into the closet where the large safe was.
After placing the bags in, I triple checked the handle before stepping out.
"All good?" he asked.
"All good." I nodded.
We headed out and back to our cars.
Syrus stretched his arms over his head. “So, what you on tonight?”
I checked my watch. “Heading home now to spend some time with my family before date night with the wife.”
He chuckled, “Damn. She still got you on that husband duty schedule?”
“She likes attention,” I said simply. I loved my wife. We had been married for five years and once a week date nights were essential.
Syrus laughed. “Aight, family man. I’ma get up with you.”
We dapped and headed to our cars
“Don’t start no more family wars tonight,” I called after him.
He waved me off. “No promises.”
Shaking my head, I pulled off. An hour later I pulled into the driveway of my two story four-bedroom house. A whole different life. As soon as I keyed in the code and opened the door, I heard the loud footsteps of my eight-year-old fraternal twins—Bishop Jr. and Ava.
They came flying toward me all energy and big smiles.
“Daaaad!” They both barreled into me, damn near knocking me back a step.
I laughed, catching them both, one arm around each of them. Coming home to my family was the highlight of my day. Every time. Didn’t matter what kind of time I just came from.
I didn’t even get a chance to speak before I was bombarded with requests.
"Dad, those new J's just came out. Can we get a pair?" BJ asked, already talking fast.
Ava looked up at me with those big eyes framed by long lashes, blinking all innocent like she wasn’t about to finesse me. "Daddy, my phone is being weird. Can we go to Apple and get a new one?"
I chuckled, shaking my head as I reached down to hug them properly, placing a kiss on each of their foreheads. “Can I get in the door good before y’all start asking for stuff?”
"Sorry," they replied in unison smiling.
"Hey, baby." My beautiful wife Eva strolled over with a kiss. "They’re harassing you already?" she laughed.
"You already know." I smirked. "They get that from you."
She ran her hand up my chest. "Well, that's what you get for taking such good care of us." She gave me another kiss and looked down at our children. "Let Daddy get settled in. Go freshen up for dinner before your auntie comes."
The twins gave me another hug before running towards their rooms
Eva turned to me with a warm smile. I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close and placing a kiss on her neck.
"Go ahead and relax for a bit, babe," she said. "I got the twins."
"Thanks, bae." Smacking her ass lightly, I made my way upstairs, already loosening my watch and rolling my shoulders. The tension that sat in my muscles from the day was already fading. My home had a way of doing that.
By the time I stepped out of the shower I felt rejuvenated again. I threw on some designer slacks and a dress shirt, nothing too flashy. Paired it with some loafers and a Cuban link.
Two hours later I was sitting across from my wife at a candlelit table. She looked beautiful as always. Hair perfect, makeup flawless, diamonds catching the light every time she moved her hand.
I sat back slightly just watching her for a second.
She was a vison. Always had been. Let her tell it she was the baddest thing in Nevada.
I wouldn't argue with her. Rich honey skin, brown eyes, a face that could get her anything she wanted.
Her body, which had birthed my children had filled out in all the best ways.
She was all thick curves just the way I liked it.
She lifted her glass and smiled at me. "How was your day, hubby?"
I sipped my bourbon. "Business as usual, baby. Another day, another dollar."
"Speaking of another dollar—"
"Here we go," I shook my head smiling 'cause I already knew where this was going. My wife was spoiled and I couldn’t blame anyone but myself.
She looked at me with those almond eyes with her lips pouted in a way she knew worked every single time. “I did see a purse today.”
I smirked leaning back in my chair. “Of course you did.”
“It was the last one.” She reached across the table, dragging her finger slowly down my cheek.
“Uh-huh.” I nodded twice.
She leaned forward slightly, the candlelight making her eyes glow. “And it would look amazing with the Giuseppe heels you bought me last week.”
I took another sip of my drink, letting silence fill the moment just enough to tease her. “How much?”
She smiled sweetly. “Don’t ruin the moment, baby.”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “Go for it. Whatever you want.”
She leaned across the table pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I knew you loved me.”
I sucked her bottom lip between mine, making her gasp slightly. "That's without question."
She smiled at me before picking up her wine glass. "Also…can we go to Cabo this summer, baby?"
I laughed, leaning back in my chair, dragging a hand down my face. "Damn, woman. You are relentless ain't you?"
She just batted those eyes and nodded, completely unapologetic. "I deserve it. Don't you think?"
Our eyes locked, an unspoken conversation taking place that had nothing to do with the playful back and forth banter.
"You do." I nodded once, decisive. "Cabo it is." I signaled for the check.
An hour later, we arrived back home. The twins were already in bed and the house was quiet.
Eva’s sister stood near the door, keys in hand, giving us a tired smile. “Night y’all,” she said.
“Appreciate you,” I nodded.
She hugged her sister, waved and stepped out, the door closing softly behind her.
I followed Eva to the room; she was already yawning like she had the longest day in the world.
The twins were a handful for sure, but on weekdays Eva spent most of her day making sure our home was perfect and spending my money on frivolous shit to her heart's content.
She kicked off her heels and stretched. “I’m exhausted,” she said peeling off her dress.
“Take a shower and get some get some rest, love," I replied preparing to head back out.
She didn’t respond right away. I caught her watching me in the mirror as I brushed my waves, then reached for my cologne, giving myself a few light spritzes.
Her tone lowered. “You’re not coming to bed?”
I met her gaze in the mirror. “Got something to check on.”
It was vague. It always was. But she didn’t question it. That trust…or maybe that choice not to dig sat between us.
She nodded slightly, stepping closer before pressing a light kiss to my cheek. “Don’t stay out too late,” she murmured. Then she turned and disappeared into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind her.
I waited until I heard the shower running before grabbing my keys.
Next stop—paradise. For the night anyway. My car rolled quietly through the late-night streets; the city life scenery tapering off until I was surrounded by nothing but open road as the desert stretched in front ot me.
I pulled in front of a four-story mansion, well-lit but still discreet. Inside was where the fantasy lived. After the security check, I stepped through the door and one of the hosts greeted me, her smile soft and warm.
“Good evening, Mr. Avery.”
I nodded once.
She looked down at her tablet before looking back up at me. “I’ll let Monroe know you’ve arrived. Would you like to wait for her at the bar?"
"Yeah. I could use a drink." I didn’t need to be led; I knew my way around. I had been a member at Siren House for a little over two years. I didn’t indulge often—once or twice a month. But when I did, Monroe was always the women I came to see.
She was a walking contradiction—soft and dangerous, sweet, and sinful. The kind of woman you didn’t try to keep…you just experienced. In another lifetime, I could've made her mine. But as it stood, our relationship where it was now was a welcome distraction when I need to release some pressure.
I headed to the bar and took a seat. There were a few other clients there waiting for their entertainment for the evening. A football game was on. I took a seat and the bartender made my favorite. He placed it in front of me without a word. I sipped as I watched the game, waiting.
Then I heard it—
Laughter.
It was the pitch of it that made my ears perk up. High and light like whatever the joke was couldn't be contained with just a chuckle. That was odd only because there wasn't a lot of laughter in these walls.
Of course, there was happiness—pleasure always brought that.
But the tone in Madam's tended to be mysterious.
Hushed voices type of vibe. So to hear real ass laughter kinda threw me off.
Before I could think too much of it, Monroe glided in in all red.
The contrast against her ebony skin was ridiculously sexy.
I swiveled on the bar stool to face her as she approached.
"Hi, Daddy," she purred pressing her glossy, red lips to my cheek. "It's so good to see you again," she smiled sexily.
I placed my hand lightly on her hip. "It's good to be seen, love. Did I interrupt?"
"No, I was free. Just sitting all by lonesome, thinking of you," her voice dipped. "Playing with my pussy."
My grip on her hip tightened as I stared at her pretty mouth that I couldn’t wait to see wrapped around my dick. "Let's take care of that right now then." I placed my half-finished drink on the bar and stood.
Monroe grabbed my hand and led me out. As we made our way to her room, I heard that laugh again.
My head turned towards the sound as we walked past the parlor.
I peered in and saw this sexy vison in satin purple, her golden-brown legs crossed.
She smiled as she leaned forward, touching the knee of a pretty, brown-skinned chick with blond hair.
Then…she turned her head, and our eyes met. I stopped in my tracks feeling trapped by her gaze. Monroe looked over at me. Her eyes followed mine and I saw them narrow. She pulled me forward forcing me to shake off the daze lil' mama had me in.
"Who is that?" I gestured towards the parlor. "Lil' mama in the purple?"
Monroe's nostrils flared. "Why does it matter, Daddy? I'm all the woman you need," she replied tightly.
"That ain't what I asked you."
She huffed and rolled her eyes. "New girl—Gianna."
"Gianna," I repeated weighing the name on my tongue. "How long she been here?"
"Few weeks," she mumbled. "She's kind of a bitch though so you wouldn’t like her very much."
Monroe has never liked sharing me since I've been a member. Her claws came out if she even saw another woman looking at me. I let her have it only 'cause I wasn’t interested in anyone else anyway. But her jealousy was cute.
I patted her ass, smirking. "You jealous, Monroe? Bad as you are?"
She opened the door to the room, looking back at me with playful smile. "Jealous? Me? Of course not. You know that there's no one here who can take care of you like me."
I closed the door behind me. Immediately, Monroe pushed me gently against it. "I think you need a refresher on why that is," she whispered dragging her nails down my chest as she eased down to her knees.
Moments later, those soft lips were wrapped around my dick as she swallowed me whole. My head dropped back against the door as I fisted her hair. She was right about one thing—no one could take care of me like her.
And that's why I kept coming back.