EPISODE 4: BEAUTY AND THE BITCH

Lamar’s House – Night

The heavy weight of the backpack hit the table with a thud as Felix unzipped it, revealing the three packs of cocaine Oscar had fronted him. Lamar and Deon stared at the white bricks, their faces etched with disbelief.

“Who the fuck gonna move a buck-fifty in twenty-four hours?” Lamar barked, looking from the bag to Felix.

Deon shook his head, his voice low. “Felix, man, that’s a lot of brick. We ain’t gonna be able to sell all that.”

“Please, man,” Felix pleaded, the desperation clear in his eyes. “Just try.”

Lamar stepped up to him, his face tightening in anger. “I’m only takin’ one brick. I don’t give a damn how you sell the rest. Now, how much for the brick?”

Felix felt a cold shiver of fear run through him as he realized he was still two bricks short of his life.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Gabriel was on the phone with Vanessa. He spoke in a low, rushed tone, confirming his success in stealing everything from the storehouse. On the other end of the line, Vanessa leaned back, her face glowing with a dark excitement.

The Street

Felix and Deon walked together under the dim streetlights after leaving Lamar’s. The one brick was sold, but the backpack was still dangerously heavy.

“Talk to Tamika,” Deon suggested. “She got connections, maybe? Right?”

Felix forced a tight smile. “I’ll handle it. Thanks, man.”

Deon gave him a nod and disappeared into the night. Felix was nearly at his apartment when Keisha bumped into him, a playful grin on her face.

“Just the boy I was lookin’ for!” she said, her voice bright.

“My lady,” Felix faked a smile, leaning in to kiss her. But as they moved, Keisha’s hand brushed the backpack. She playfully yanked it from his shoulder.

“What’s in the bag?”

Felix lunged to grab it back, but it was too late—she had already seen.

“Oh my God, Felix!” Keisha gasped, her eyes wide with terror. “What is you doin’ with this?”

Felix snatched the bag back, his face hardening as he stepped closer to her. “Go home, Keisha,” he snapped.

He left her standing there, her face a mask of worry as he disappeared toward his door.

Morning – Alves Residence

Vanessa was still nestled in her silk sheets when Bruno burst into the room. She bolted upright in fear as he stumbled toward her, his face contorted.

“Bruno, what the fuck is going on?”

“Babe...” Bruno gasped, his voice thick with anger and actual tears. “I’ve been robbed. Robbed big time!”

Vanessa gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in mock shock. She pulled Bruno into a tight hug, and over his shoulder, she stared at the wall, a cold smile spreading across her lips.

The Sinclairs

The atmosphere at the breakfast table was thick. Mary watched Felix as he picked at his food.

“You know, just ‘cause I’m stayin’ quiet, that don’t mean I don’t see what you doin’, right?” Mary said. Felix froze. “You came back real late last night.”

Felix swallowed hard, his nerves on edge. “Ma... I was at Keisha’s.”

Mary stood up and reached for her coat, preparing for her shift. “I know you and that girl is close, but Daniel ain’t interested in you. Be careful, alright?”

Felix nodded silently. She kissed his forehead and left for work. The second the door clicked shut, Felix grabbed his backpack and slipped out through the back door.

Alves Basement

In the damp shadows of the basement, Bruno and his guards were systematically torturing Trent and Paul. The air was heavy with the smell of sweat and blood.

“I promise you, Bruno,” Trent wheezed, gasping through the pain. “We didn’t rob you.”

Bruno let out a dark laugh. “I know you didn’t. But you sent someone to do it.”

“Please, Bruno,” Paul begged, his voice high with agony. “We can help you find who robbed you. Please, just stop this!”

Bruno’s hand flashed out, slapping Paul across the face with a sickening crack. “I will be back soon,” Bruno growled. “With new pain.”

He signaled to his guards, and they left the room. A moment later, Vanessa slipped inside, carrying two bottles of water.

Outside

Felix caught Tamika outside Elijah’s apartment, dragging her into the shadows while his uncle was still asleep inside.

“Sup, nephew?” Tamika said, looking him over. “You lookin’ real fucked up.”

Felix sighed, his voice trembling. “Aunty T, I need your help. Please.”

She gave a slow nod. Felix unzipped the backpack just enough for her to see the two bricks of cocaine. Tamika’s breath hitched in her throat, her face frozen in shock.

Hills Hotel

Mary rushed into the hotel, her heart racing as she headed for Ryan’s office to sign in. She found him waiting, his face red with a simmering rage.

“Well, well,” Ryan sneered. “Look who finally decided to show up.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Ryan,” Mary panted. “The traffic was just real heavy this mornin’.”

Without warning, Ryan’s hand shot out, his fingers crushing Mary’s throat. He pinned her against the doorframe. “There are so many black bitches out there wantin’ this job,” he hissed, his face inches from hers. “But you don’t respect your work.”

He released her with a shove and walked out. Mary stood there, clutching her throat, coughing and sobbing, feeling the weight of the world crushing her.

Alves Basement

Vanessa worked quickly, untying Trent and Paul’s hands. They snatched the water bottles, drinking as if they’d been in a desert. She dragged a chair over and sat down.

“My husband is a terrible human being,” she said in her thick Brazilian accent. “But I am here to help you escape his wrath.”

The two men looked at her, utterly confused.

“What are you talkin’ about?” Trent asked.

Vanessa smiled. “I want you both to kill Bruno Alves.”

Trent and Paul sat in stunned silence, staring at the woman as she waited for her answer.

The Bar

Tamika led Felix through the streets until they stood outside a nondescript bar.

“This bitch... she’s a mad bitch,” Tamika warned. “She don’t do nothin’ for free. But I know she can buy this shit.”

“Thank you so much, Aunty,” Felix said, nodding.

“Felix,” Tamika said, her voice turning serious. “I don’t want this life for you. And you better not let Elijah know I helped you, you hear?”

Felix nodded. They entered the bar and went straight to the back office. Inside, Nakia was lounging half-naked while two men massaged her. She looked up and smirked at the sight of Tamika.

“Oh my fucking God,” Nakia laughed, standing up. “Tamika, the main bitch!”

She walked toward them with a wide smile, her eyes lingering on a nervous Felix.

Alves Basement

“We can do that for you, ma’am,” Trent said, his voice regaining some strength. “If you let us go.”

“Of course,” Paul added quickly. “It’s a win-win for all of us.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes. “I know you are lying. How can I trust you? If you don’t give me a good reason, then the deal is off.”

She turned to leave, but Trent shouted after her. “Wait! My name is Trent Langford. I am a US State Department staff member.”

Vanessa turned around, her eyes widening in genuine shock.

“If we don’t kill Bruno in the next forty-eight hours,” Trent said, staring her down, “expose us. Sue the government. Do whatever you want.”

Vanessa’s shock transformed into a wide, power-hungry smirk. She felt like a queen.

Nakia’s Office

Tamika finished explaining the situation. Nakia paced the room, her eyes on the backpack.

“You know what they say, Mika,” Nakia purred. “Free things always comes with a bigger cost.”

Tamika stepped closer, her voice urgent. “Kia, please. Help this boy. Or else he gonna get killed by some insane kingpin.”

Nakia smiled, reaching out to touch Felix’s face. Before he could pull away, she leaned in and kissed him hard. Felix stood frozen in shock. Nakia laughed and walked over to her music box, clicking it on.

The soulful, driving beat of “What’s Love Got to Do with It” by Tina Turner filled the room. Nakia grabbed Felix’s hands and began to dance with him. Felix, terrified, faked a smile as he swayed to the rhythm.

“Alright, Tamika,” Nakia said over the music. “I’ll buy the two bricks.”

Felix kept dancing, a wave of pure relief washing over him as the music played on.

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