The four men stepped out of the car and headed straight for the hotel entrance. After settling things with the receptionist, they moved quickly to the staircase leading up to the 30th floor. As they approached the room, muffled voices spilled through the door.
They exchanged quick, uneasy glances.
Dave took his position by the wall, just like he'd been told. His hand slipped into his pocket, gripping his gun, his jaw tight. He still wasn't over the fact that Tyler was the one carrying the sack of fake cocaine. Blake and Peter stood nearby, alert, ready for anything.
Tyler didn't hesitate. He pushed the door open and walked in like he owned the place.
The room was crowded—men lounging with women draped over them. The women, dressed in tight outfits, slowly rose from the men's laps, stepping aside. Their heavy makeup and careless expressions made it obvious what they were there for.
Tyler kept his face blank, his posture confident. He dropped the sack on the floor.
One of the men ripped it open, revealing the neatly wrapped packages.
"Before you test anything, pay the money," Tyler said calmly.
"Let me confirm the product first," one man replied, eyeing him suspiciously.
"You don't need to. You already know Diego—he's honest"
"Shut it," another man snapped. "This isn't cocaine. This is Lidocaine."
Tyler frowned. "You don't know what you're—"
"Shut up, boy," the man cut him off sharply. "You think you can play us?"
Outside, Dave stiffened. Something felt wrong. The voices inside grew louder, more aggressive—
Then—BANG!
Gunshots exploded through the air.
Women screamed and rushed out of the room, panicked, scattering down the hallway. The entire floor erupted into chaos.
Blake and Peter exchanged looks. They knew these clients—armed, dangerous, and not the type to hesitate.
"Go!" Dave shouted.
"Why don't you go first?" Peter shot back.
"Are you serious right now?" Dave snapped.
"It's fine," Blake cut in, pulling out his gun. "At least one of us needs to get Tyler out."
Inside, the sounds of fists hitting flesh echoed—kicks, grunts, bodies slamming into furniture.
"Man, Tyler's got to be shot for some reasons "Dave muttered.
"Stop talking and move!" Peter barked. "Don't be a coward."Blake said to Dave
"Alright, alright—don't rush me," Dave said, pulling out his gun—
Then he froze.
"…Shit."
"What now?" Blake snapped.
"I… forgot to reload."
Blake stared at him in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me."
"It happens," Dave shrugged weakly.
"At a time like this?" Blake shot back. "Are you drunk or just stupid?"
Dave said nothing.
"Oh, I get it," Blake went on, anger rising. "You want Tyler dead. Don't ever call me your friend again."
With that, Blake kicked the door open—
But he was too late.
Tyler burst out from inside, sprinting past them without a word. He didn't stop—just bolted down the stairs, taking them two at a time. Moments later, he disappeared through a back exit.
Dave, Blake, and Peter stood there for a split second, stunned—
Then they took off after him, completely thrown into confusion.
Diego paced the room, checking his watch for what felt like the tenth time. The guys were already fifteen minutes late. His jaw tightened. He needed this deal to go through—every last wrap of that fake coke had to be gone tonight. No mistakes.
Then the door burst open.
Tyler rushed in, breathing hard, his chest rising and falling like he'd just outrun death itself.
Diego shot to his feet. "What happened?"
Tyler didn't answer right away. He dropped a strange phone onto the table.
Gabe frowned. "What's this?"
"I took it," Tyler said, still catching his breath. "Figured I could hack into his bank account. He refused to pay Boss."
Before Diego could respond, Blake, Dave, and Peter stumbled in behind him. Their their faces tense—defeated.
"They figured it out," Tyler added. "It was Lidocaine."
The room went quiet.
Diego's eyes narrowed as he looked them over. "And you're walking in here looking like that?" he said coldly. "Clothes ripped, faces down… what exactly happened in there?"
No one answered.
Diego's voice hardened. "Nobody backed you up?"
Still silence.
"I'm talking to you," he snapped, slamming his fist against the table.
"…No, Boss," Tyler muttered, his voice low.
In a flash, Dieho grabbed his gun and pointed it straight at Dave.
"Dave—what the hell did I tell you to do?"
Dave rolled his eyes, avoiding his gaze, clearly not ready to answer.
Gabe let out a slow breath and dropped into his chair, shaking his head. "Unbelievable… Dave, Blake, Peter… three complete idiots."
The tension in the room thickened.
"I should've put a bullet in all of you," he continued, his voice calm but deadly. "But I'm choosing not to waste my bullets tonight."
Dave's fists clenched, but he said nothing.
Gabe shifted his attention to Tyler. "If you can break into that account… take everything in it. Every cent. You earned it."
That was the final straw.
Dave's expression darkened, anger flashing across his face. Without a word, he turned and stormed out of the room.
Blake and Peter exchanged looks before walking over to Tyler.
"I'm sorry, man," Peter said quietly. "I don't know what came over me back there."
"Don't let it get to you," Blake added, trying to ease the tension.
Tyler looked at both of them, his face unreadable.
"Did you guys set me up?" he asked flatly. "Or were you just gonna let me die in there?"