Song: Tink - I Like

     Lola laid in bed on her side looking at the window as the light beamed through. She brought the blanket tighter to herself as she laid under them naked. She really didn't know how to feel or what to do after last night. Last night was just weird and odd. She couldn't tell if Rhyme was just high, being manipulative or if he truly meant what he said. The way he made love to her had her mind gone. She didn't know whether to talk to Romeo or her sisters about it or just call off the plan altogether.

Lola sighed getting up from the bed grabbing her silk robe on the floor. She put it on walking to the bathroom to take a bubble bath. Ever since she sold her percent of the brothel she had nothing to do during the day. She usually sat around, took and picked Royalty up from work and ran errands. She didn't know what to do with herself because before her life revolved around Rhyme and the brothel.

After Lola got dressed she started the almost hour drive out to the brothel to drop Royalty off. The car ride was quiet except the music because like usual Royalty took that as the opportunity to get extra sleep. If you would've told Royalty having sex for a living was tiring, she would ask how hard could it be? Just lay on your back and wait for it to be over, is what she thought but that's not the case. Royalty was exhausted after her first full week of having sex with clients. She just wanted this to be over soon.

Meanwhile at A Players Paradise Romeo called Karina into his office. She strutted into his office wearing her regular clothes because he called for her as soon as she got in. She hasn't even had time to change.

Karina is Romeo's cousin on his mothers side. He knew with how money hungry she was she would be down with the plan way before he got Lola or anybody else involved. From the day she stepped into the brothel to have a job interviews she was plotting against Rhyme with Romeo. What Romeo didn't know is that Karina was slightly falling for Rhyme. Once again something that wasn't apart of the plan.

"Yes?" Karina asked as she walked in. "You get any new information out of him?" Romeo asked with his feet wearing Giuseppe sneakers kicked up on the desk. "Not really," Karina said shrugging. "It's been almost a month since you started fucking around with him. Nothing?" Karina made a hand motion saying, "He doesn't tell me much. It's hard to get him to open up. I mean, last night I think he hinted at him and Lola's marriage not being "forreal"."

Romeo arched his brow asking, "What does he mean by that." She shrugged saying, "I don't know. I just know their marriage is weird. He said they went to some chapel on the strip and the officiator was a guy dressed in an Elvis costume. He joked that it probably wasn't even forreal." Romeo stroked his chin hairs saying, "They may not even be legally married. We need to find that marriage license. If we can't their marriage is as phony as Stevie J and Joseline's."

"Do you really think they're not marr-" Before Karina could finish her question Rhyme was stepping into Romeo's office. He looked at Karina suspiciously saying, "Shouldn't you be getting ready to start working? I need to talk to him." Karina left the room leaving Romeo and Rhyme alone. Rhyme was very possessive when it came to his women. It didn't matter if they didn't mean much to him and they were just a piece of ass. He didn't like sharing.

Rhyme threw a duffle bag onto the desk saying, "There's your 2 million. Here's the contract to sign the percent back over to me." He said throwing the packet next. "I would like your stuff out of this office by closing time," Rhyme said turning on his heels to leave. "I'll leave when I get done counting it," Romeo said sitting a money counter on his desk. Rhyme looked over his shoulder glaring at his brother. Romeo just smiled, "I hope there's not a dollar missing."

Rhyme smacked his lips exiting his brothers office. Romeo will forever be a nuisance to him. Once Lola pulled up to the brothel Royalty got out saying bye, but Lola put the car in park getting out too. She needed to talk to Romeo. Lola waited for Rhyme to go back into his office then went down the hall to Romeo's office. Since the door was open she knocked on the wall to get his attention away from his computer.

When Romeo looked up to see Lola he smiled, but he wouldn't be smiling after what she was going to tell him. Lola smiled back stepping in then closing the door behind her. "What are you doing here?" Romeo asked as he got up hugging Lola. When he tried to kiss her she moved making it land on her cheek. Romeo furrowed up his brows wondering what was up with that. Truthfully, Lola didn't know how she felt about kissing two brothers back to back.

"I'm sick," Lola lied to offer an explanation. "Damn, you good?" Romeo asked genuinely believing it. "Yeah, I'll be okay. That's not what I'm here for..." Lola said as they both sat down. "What's up?" Romeo asked putting money into the money counter machine. "Last night Rhyme told me he was in love with me." Romeo froze his actions gritting his teeth. "Do you really believe that?" Lola shrugged sighing then saying, "I don't even know."

"That nigga's not in love with you. It took him 5 years to figure that shit out? So, what? What do you want to do now?" "I don't know!" Lola said in frustration. "That's why I came to you." Romeo sighed beginning to think. "We can use this to our advantage. Tell him you're in love with him too. You said he was planning to leave you. This will change things." Lola nodded her head saying okay.

She stood up grabbing her purse about to leave but Romeo said, "Come here." Lola did as told going around his desk standing in front of him. Romeo guided her making her sit in his lap. He put his index finger on her chin asking, "You give him my pussy?" Lola chewed on her bottom lip not saying anything. Romeo knew exactly what that meant. He sucked his teeth loudly containing his true anger by saying, "Don't do it again. Not unless it's getting us some money. I'll put your cut in your bank account later." Romeo said referring to the money Rhyme just paid him.

Lola stood up from his lap exiting his office. She stood outside of his door for a second feeling conflicted. She was really in a love triangle between two brothers. Two brothers who hate each other. This wasn't going to end well.

Lola took her keys out of her purse walking down the hallway when she heard, "Lola? What are you doing here?" Lola stopped in her tracks turning around seeing Rhyme. "Uh, I was dropping off Royalty. She asked me to do her makeup before I leave," Lola lied. "Oh. Come in my office. I need to talk to you," he said not waiting going back into his office. Lola exhaled deeply looking around before going into his office.

"Close the door," he said so Lola did. She closed the door then sat down. "I've been thinking...I'm willing to forgive you selling your percent if you forgive everything I've done. As we speak I have people packing up Karina'a stuff. She's gone. It'll be just us two from now on." Lola opened her mouth not knowing what to say. Karina was apart of the plan. "You don't have to do that. It's fine." Rhyme shook his head saying, "You don't have to pretend to be okay with it anymore, Lola."

"No, seriously it's okay. At least let her stay the full 6 months before you just kick her out." Rhyme shook his head saying, "Naw. She's been getting on my nerves. And her pussy smells like fish food. I can't anymore." Lola pursed her lips feeling that if she pushed it any further he'll thinking something's up. Rhyme walked around the desk lowering to Lola's level saying, "I'm gonna do whatever it takes to show you I'm a good guy."

Lola just sat there stuck not knowing what to say. When Rhyme kissed her hand Lola said, "I believe you. But...Why did you take all of your money out of the joint accounts and the safety deposit boxes?" Rhyme froze because he wasn't expecting that. "I took the $2 million out to pay Romeo," he said standing back up. "But you took more than that. You took some of my money."

"Okay, you caught me..." Rhyme said throwing up his hands. "I bought you that beauty bar you've always wanted. So you could have a business of your own." Lola looked at him shocked asking, "Are you serious?" Rhyme nodded his head with a smile as Lola jumped on him hugging him. "I love you!" She squealed. "I'm in love with you too," she said before kissing him. Rhyme looked off into the distance knowing he had just told a bold face lie. He was hiding the money in preparation for filing for divorce, but he had a sudden change of heart. All of a sudden he realized he might love Lola after all.

Rhyme lifted Lola up placing her on his desk. She was about to take his shirt off when there was a knock on the door. "What?" Rhyme yelled as Lola kissed down his neck. "It's me...Tyree." Rhyme sighed saying, "Shit! I really need to talk to him." Lola slightly rolled her eyes hopping down from the desk. "I'll wait," she said opening the door that had Tyree behind it. After Lola walked out, Tyree walked in.

Tyree noticed all of the stuff on Rhyme's desk was knocked off so he chuckled. He held his hands up in defense saying, "My bad if I interrupted anything. You told me to come talk to you once I got done with my classes for the day." "Yeah, sit." Rhyme said fixing things on his desk before sitting on the corner of it. "So I looked in my safe and there's money missing. You're the only one with the password. Also, I'm missing a tape for a room that had a hole in the wall in the bathroom and a broken mirror. You're also the only one who had access to my office. You care to explain?"

Tyree shifted in his seat trying to think of something to say. He shouldn't have been so sloppy about it. "A client got upset with one of the girls and broke the mirror and punched a hole in the wall while you weren't here." Rhyme crossed his arms across his chest asking, "What about the missing money?" Tyree bit in his bottom lip then said, "I don't know anything about that." "You don't know anything about that?" Rhyme repeated.

"Nope," Tyree said looking his brother in the eyes. Tyree couldn't lie he was scared, but he was trying not to show it. Tyree looked around his brothers shoulder at the screens for the security cameras. He squinted zeroing in on one watching it closely.

*

"No!" Royalty screamed trying to push the guy away as he continuously tried to kiss her. "Just give me what I want," he slurred pinning Royalty to the bed. "You didn't pay for that! You only paid for conversation and a massage. You want to have sex go pay for it then come back," Royalty said while struggling with the guy. She was trying to get to the red button for emergency purposes to push it.

Royalty tried to crawl across the bed but he grabbed her by her leg then flipped her onto her back. "Get off!" She screamed as he ripped her dress. "Help!" She screamed at the top of her lungs but it was no use because the rooms were sound proof.

*

Tyree kept staring at the screen trying to figure out what was going on. It was so fuzzy he couldn't really tell and sometimes you just never know around here. Some men ask for some weird ass stuff behind the walls of these rooms. When Rhyme grabbed Tyree by the collar of his shirt asking, "Do you think I'm stupid?!" with gritted teeth Tyree snapped out of it. "Where's my money? And I'm not going to ask you again!"

Tyree got a boost of courage pushing Rhyme off of him. "You've been short cutting me so I just took what was mine! You probably owe me more than that anyway!" Rhyme punched Tyree in the face making him stumble back. "Have you lost your mutha fucking mind stepping to me like that?! I take care of your ungrateful ass and you're going to take my money?! This is my business. I don't owe you shit!" Tyree wiped his bleeding lip grumbling, "Fuck you. I don't owe you anything either. I didn't ask for this!"

Rhyme furrowed his brows as Tyree glared at him. "I didn't ask you to take me in. You think everybody owes you somethin'! Well fuck you! Fuck you and the cape you flew in with since you think you're every bodies savior. You ain't nothing but a greedy bitch!" Rhyme balled his fist up punching Tyree again but this time Tyree sent one right back at him.

Rhyme swung again but this time Tyree ducked  wrapping his arms around his brother tackling him to the ground. Tyree stood up straight touching his now bleeding nose as Rhyme rolled around the ground groaning in pain. Tyree wasn't the little ass boy that Rhyme can push around anymore and he now realized that. Tyree looked back at the security cameras. Specifically the one that caught his eyes earlier.

"Shit!" He yelled rushing out of Rhyme's office. "Where the fuck do you think you're going? We're not done!" Rhyme said standing to his feet. Tyree didn't care. He turned his head every which way trying to find room 25. When he found it he twisted the knob and like expected it was locked. He stepped back giving the door a couple of kicks before it flew open.

When he walked into the room he froze at what he saw. A man was laying on the bed with blood all around him as Royalty was sitting on the floor with her knees to her chest crying. Rhyme pushed passed Tyree realizing what happened. "Don't just stand there! Get her out of here NOW! Then have them call 911." When Tyree still didn't budge Rhyme yelled, "Go!" snapping him out of it.

Tyree walked over to Royalty who was crying kneeling next to her. As Rhyme's assistant rushed into the room Rhyme checked to see if the man was breathing. "Tyree, I'm not gonna say it again. Get her the fuck out of here! If the police see a minor here that's my ass. I'll take the blame, just get her out of here!" Tyree nodded picking Royalty up bridal style seeing her dress was ripped and she had blood all over.

As he carried her out Lola ran up to him asking, "What happened?" Tyree said nothing leaving Lola standing there clueless. Tyree put Royalty into the backseat of his car then got into the drivers side. As he drove down the road he stopped as the ambulance and police car sped passed. Once they passed he continued down the road. He looked at Royalty in the rearview mirror as she laid across the backseat with her back turned the opposite way. He knew nothing he said could make this better.

The EMT's rushed into A Players Paradise while Rhyme stood with the two police officers that arrived on the scene. "What exactly happened?" The cop asked.

"One of my girls was with a client. She said he was drunk and became belligerent. His time was up, but he didn't want to leave the room. She pushed the emergency button so I came to the room. I told her to leave and I'll handle it. Then he attacked me so I hit him in the head with a wine bottle," Rhyme lied. It fit what he saw. Royalty did hit the guy over the head with a bottle busting the mans head clean open.

After Rhyme was done talking to the police he walked over to Lola grabbing her arm to pull her close. "Go get that tape for that room and get rid of it." Lola nodded her head about to walk away but Rhyme pulled her back saying, "I told you she was a liability. We'll talk later." Lola sighed walking away to his office. She got the tape sticking it in her purse then left. She wanted to get home to help Royalty.

As soon as Tyree got home he took Royalty upstairs to her room. She sat on top of the counter while the bath water ran. When Tyree turned it off Royalty said, "Thank you. You can go now." She climbed down from the counter looking at herself in the mirror. She looked at the ripped dress and the blood on her hands not knowing what to think. She turned around looking at Tyree who was just staring at her. "Don't look at me like that," she said turning back around beginning to wash her hands of the blood.

"Like what?" He asked furrowing his eyebrows. "Like you feel sorry for me, like you pity me or like you care." Tyree stepped one step closer saying, "Maybe I do care about you. Is that so hard to believe?" Royalty shrugged scrubbing her hands harder. "Did he-" Royalty cut him off saying, "No. Almost. Are you going to leave?" Royalty asked drying her hands off. "Let me just help you."

When Tyree tried to touch Royalty she flinched turning around. "Don't touch me! I don't want your help. Just leave me alone, Tyree!" "Why are you like this? Why is it so hard to believe somebody gives a fuck about you?! You think every body is out to get you." "Because you are!" Royalty yelled. "You're just like every typical nigga. You say what you need to say and do what you need to do to get what you want. Leave me alone!"

"Fine, whatever." Tyree said throwing his hands up in defeat. "You keep thinking that way and you'll live a sad life. Some people are actually genuine, but if you can't see that..." He said backing away leaving Royalty's room. Royalty slammed the bathroom door shut leaning against it sliding to the floor. "Fuck!" She yelled as she sent her head back to hit the door. She buried her face into her knees beginning to cry.

.
.
.

After a nap Lola told Royalty to come downstairs and eat. Royalty sat in the barstool as Lola put a plate in front of her giving her a smile. Royalty didn't smile back like usual instead she just started to eat. Sarita walked into the kitchen putting her dishes into the sink saying, "I heard something happened at the brothel today. What happened?" Lola cut her eyes at her sister making Sarita mouth what? Sarita knew exactly what happened and she didn't feel sorry for her. She's a sex worker so she should expect things like that.

Royalty didn't like the way Sarita was looking at her. She wondered why she's had a snotty attitude towards her since she got here. She thought it was because when she got here Lola started giving her more attention than her. She was no longer her big sisters little sister that she would baby. She had Royalty now. She probably noticed their immediate bond and got jealous.

"What is your problem?" Royalty snarled as she glared at Sarita. Sarita arched her eyebrow in surprise saying, "I don't have a problem. Do you?" "Yeah, I do. You run your mouth too fucking much! The slick comments and side eyes. Either say what you want to or keep your mouth shut altogether." Sarita smiled saying, "I know you had a bad day today, but no need to take it out on me. If you need to feel better go ride Tyree's dick like you usually do and leave me alone."

Lola slightly choked on her drink bugging her eyes. She figured something at one point was going on between the two of them and apparently she wasn't the only one who knew. "Ohhh. I get it now. You're jealous because of Tyree? Girl, have him." Royalty said continuing to eat. Sarita scoffed saying, "I don't want him. I've already had him." "Excuse me?" Royalty asked looking upside Sarita's head. "He ate my pussy if you must know."

Royalty put her sandwich down remembering when he said she was blackmailing him. Next thing you know she was reaching across the island slapping Sarita then yanking her