Chapter 1
Cast:
Chris.
Dave.
Legend.
Malik.
Beyonce.
Maxi.
Cameron.
Jamie.
Brooklyn, New York:
5 Years Earlier...
2:15AM
“Some don’t feel right bruh..” Chris said looking over his shoulder again as they’d passed up the barbershop they’d been hanging at earlier in the day. He looked over at Dave, something about the way he looked rubbed Chris the wrong way, almost like he was hesitating.
“Man chill it’s gone be a simple drop off.”
“Yeah I hear you.” Chris pulled his hoodie over his head watching his surroundings cautiously.
“Relax bruh imma get in and get out.”
“Dude yo ass shouldn’t even be doing this, the feds on yo ass and you know this.” Chris preached. “I been tellin you sit the fuck down, you need to let the girls do they shit and lay low man. Money still can be made Dave.”
“Bro I’m broke, this is the last time my hands touch the work, right now though? I need this 20K to lay low with.”
“Nigga I can give you 20 fuckin’ K.” Chris said chuckling, he couldn’t believe Dave had him out here for 20K. Chris was like his big brother and he would give Dave the shirt off his back to make sure he was good. “I thought you needed to do some shit for the plug or some.”
“I can’t keep dependin’ on you to bail me out.”
“That’s what brothers is for. This shit right here don’t feel right, I don’t got my strap on me or nothing so shit better go good Dave for real.”
“Man Chris, niggas know not to fuck with you that’s why I made it clear I wasn’t comin’ alone.” Dave replied before he pulled into the warehouse parking lot. “Look we gone do this shit real quick, in and out.”
“Aight man.” Chris said getting out the car, before he could even take a step he was surrounded by cop cars. He took a step back turning to run, but there were cops right behind him. They’d grabbed him up slamming him down on the ground. He looked around to make sure Dave was okay, but he didn’t see him. Maybe he got away? He hoped he got away, Chris would take whatever charges came with what was in the car as long as Dave was all good.
5 Years Later...
Five years. That’s what they gave him. Five years of his life for a crime he didn’t commit. Chris sat on the edge of his bed, the thin prison mattress doing nothing to ease the weight on his shoulders. Five years was enough time to forget who you were. To lose yourself in the cage they put you in. But Chris never forgot, never let himself slip. He’d waited for this moment—the day he’d walk out of this hellhole.
The prison walls around him hummed with the low buzz of inmates going through their routines. Some playing cards, others hitting the weight room, most just trying to survive until their own sentences ran out. But Chris? He was done waiting. In a few hours, those metal doors would open, and he’d be free. Free to take back what was his, and to make sure that Dave, the man who betrayed him, would pay for what he’d done.
Chris closed his eyes, picturing the moment that had changed everything. He could still see it so clearly, like it was burned into his mind. He had been sitting in the passenger seat of Dave’s car, a black Chevy Impala they used for runs. They had been brothers in everything but blood, two young hustlers making moves, trying to come up in the streets. They’d shared everything—money, food, even secrets. Or so he thought.
That night, it was supposed to be like any other. A simple drop-off, pick up the cash, keep it pushing. But Chris had seen the look on Dave’s face, that split second of hesitation when they pulled up to the warehouse. He should’ve known something was off. Should’ve trusted his gut. Instead, he walked right into a trap.
Chris had barely stepped out of the car when the flashing lights of the police cruisers blinded him. The sirens were deafening. He hadn’t even had time to run before the cops were on him, slamming him to the ground, cuffing his hands behind his back. And Dave? He was gone. Just like that. Like smoke in the wind.
The evidence they found in the trunk of the Impala was enough to bury Chris. Drugs, cash, a loaded weapon, none of it his, but all of it on him. They didn’t care about the truth. The judge didn’t care. The jury didn’t care. The only thing they cared about was putting another Black man behind bars.
The door to Chris’s cell buzzed open, jolting him back to the present. A guard stood in the doorway, a bored look on his face. “Breezy, you’re up. Time to go.”
Chris stood slowly, feeling the tension ease out of his muscles as he stretched. He had been waiting for this. His whole body buzzed with anticipation, his mind already plotting the next steps. He’d spent years in this cage, sharpening his thoughts, preparing for the moment he’d be free.
He walked out of the cell without looking back. This place had taken enough from him; it wasn’t about to take anything else.
Outside, the air felt different. It hit him like a wave, the smell of freedom mingling with the grime of the city streets. Chris stood on the sidewalk for a moment, just breathing it in. He glanced down the road, where the bus stop sign stood a few yards away, but that wasn’t his ride.
A sleek, black Benz pulled up, its windows tinted. Chris smirked to himself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. He didn’t need to be out for long before people started hearing the name Chris Brown again. He may have been gone, but he wasn’t forgotten.
The car door swung open, and a tall, lean figure stepped out, sunglasses covering half his face. Malik. Chris had known Malik since they were kids, running the streets together before they went their separate ways. Malik had stayed out of the game, gone legit with a chain of car dealerships. But he still had connections, still knew how to move in silence when he needed to.
“Yo, Chris,” Malik said, pulling him in for a hug, “been a long time, man. Welcome back.”
“Good to be back,” Chris muttered, slapping Malik on the back before pulling away. He slid into the passenger seat of the Benz, the leather interior a stark contrast to the hard plastic of the prison transport van he’d arrived in. It felt good. Too good.
Malik jumped into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Where to, man? You want to hit the spot or head to the crib?”
“The crib,” Chris said without hesitation. “Gotta make some moves.”
Malik raised an eyebrow. “Moves? You just got out. You sure you don’t wanna lay low for a minute? The block’s changed since you been gone.”
Chris looked out the window, the familiar streets passing by in a blur. “Ain’t no time to lay low. I got business to handle. You heard from Dave?” Malik didn’t answer right away. Chris turned to look at him, eyes narrowing. “I asked if you heard from him.”
Malik let out a sigh, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “Yeah, I heard from him. He’s still around, still making moves. Heard he’s got his own crew now. People say he’s doing real good.”
Chris’s jaw tightened. He had expected that much. Dave was always good at playing the game, always had a way of staying a step ahead. But that was before. Before he betrayed Chris, before he left him to rot in prison for something he didn’t do, “Yeah anybody I know?” Chris asked.
“Only person I think you know is Legend.” Malik replied. “The girls still work for him, but last I heard they wasn’t too much fuckin’ with hm like that.”
“My girls..” Chris smirked.
“I still can’t believe he threw you to the feds to get them off his back.” Malik mumbled shaking his head.
“Take me to him,” Chris said, his voice low and steady.
“Chris, man, you sure that’s a good idea? You just got out. You don’t wanna do anything that’s gonna land you right back in there.”
Chris’s eyes flicked toward Malik, cold and unyielding. “Take me to him.”
Malik didn’t argue after that. The rest of the drive was silent, tension hanging thick in the air. Chris stared out the window, but his mind was somewhere else, thinking about the moment he would come face to face with Dave again.
He had spent years replaying that night in his head, wondering how it all went down. He had trusted Dave with his life. They had grown up together, been through the same struggles, fought the same battles. Chris had been ready to go to war for Dave, but in the end, Dave had been the one to put the knife in his back.
The car pulled up outside a flashy nightclub, the kind of place where the lights were so bright, you couldn’t see what was lurking in the shadows. Malik killed the engine and turned to Chris.
“He’s inside,” Malik said quietly. “But listen, man, if you’re gonna do this, do it smart. Don’t let him know what you’re planning. Let him think you’re still in the dark.”
Chris nodded, his face hard as stone. “I know what I’m doing.”
He stepped out of the car, adjusting the collar of his jacket as he made his way toward the entrance. The bouncer at the door gave him a once-over, clearly recognizing him from his days on the block. Chris didn’t need an introduction. He walked right in, his eyes scanning the dimly lit interior of the club.
It didn’t take long to spot Dave. He was sitting in a VIP booth, surrounded by women, one sitting across his lap kissing on him, a bottle of champagne in his hand. He looked good—too good. Like he had never spent a day in his life worrying about the consequences of his actions.
Chris’s blood boiled as he watched him, but he kept his cool. This wasn’t the time to let his anger get the best of him. He had a plan, and that plan required patience. He made his way through the crowd, weaving between people until he stood just a few feet from Dave.
One of the women noticed him first, her eyes widening in recognition. She whispered something in Dave’s ear, and he looked up, his expression shifting from surprise to something more guarded.
“Chris,” Dave said, standing up and opening his arms like he was welcoming back an old friend. “Man, I didn’t think I’d see you so soon. How you been?”
Chris forced a smile, though every muscle in his body was screaming to take Dave out right then and there. “I’ve been better. Five years inside’ll do that to a man.”
Dave chuckled, like it was all one big joke. “Yeah, I bet. But hey, you’re out now, right? Time to start fresh, I got bitches, weed, alcohol, right here sit down and enjoy.”
Chris stepped closer, his voice low and dangerous. “Nah, this too loud. I came to see my brother and dip back out let you know I’m out.”
Dave’s smile faltered for a split second, but he quickly recovered. “That’s good, man. Real good. If you need anything, you know I got you. You got somewhere to crash? You can stay at my spot if you need.”
“Imma get a room tonight, but yeah that would help out a lot.”
“Yeah man look meet me at the barbershop in the mornin’ imma hook you up with whatever.” Dave responds, Chris nodded.
As he walked away, Chris felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. Dave had no idea what was coming. He thought everything was cool, thought that Chris was still in the dark. But Chris had spent five long years waiting for this moment, and he wasn’t about to let Dave off that easy.
This time, Chris was in control. And Dave’s life was about to fall apart, piece by piece. Karma was coming.
The next morning Chris woke up early, no matter what he tried he was stuck on this prison schedule. So he got up to get ready for the day, he decided to go to the barbershop early to try and check out Dave’s set up.
The hum of clippers filled the barbershop, mixing with the chatter of customers and the faint sound of music playing from a speaker in the corner. Chris walked in, scanning the room for a seat. His eyes landed on a girl sitting near the back, laughing with her friend. Her presence immediately caught his attention—smooth caramel skin, long hair cascading down her back, and a smile that seemed to light up the entire room.
“Sorry I didn’t see you there, how can I help you today?” The gorgeous woman asked him.
“What you doin’ in here fine as you are?” He asked her before biting into his bottom lip.
“I cut hair, what else would I be doing here?” She asked with a slight smile.
“I’m Chris.” He said sticking his hand out.
“I’m in a relationship.” She replied, and he grabbed his heart and slouched over like he was hurting.
“I hate that sentence.” He groaned making her laugh. “Shit you look good though girl, you can slice me up.” He said pulling his durag off.
“Right this way.” She replied, and he’d followed her over to her booth and she motioned for him to take a seat.
“So that mean I still can’t have yo name baby?” He asked the way he licked her lips made her smile, she shook her head.
“Beyonce.” She replied.
“Sound like fiancée, I like it.” He’d said with a small smirk making her shake her head again. Chris made time go by faster, he’d talked her ear off but she couldn’t stop laughing at him.
Just as she laughed at another one of Chris’s smooth lines, the door opened, and Dave stepped in. His eyes immediately locked onto the scene in front of him—the girl, his girl, too close to Chris, her hand still resting on his arm.
“Boy you are too funny,” she turned, noticing Dave approaching. “Hey baby, this is-”
“Chris, I told you my peoples was comin’ by this mornin’.” Dave replied placing a kiss on her cheek.
“You’re Dave’s brother who just got out of prison?” She’d asked.
Chris nodded, “Guilty as charged.” He responded.
Dave’s eyes narrowed slightly, though his smile remained intact. The tension between the two brothers was evident, though masked under the facade of brotherly banter.
“Chris, man, you out here smooth talkin’ already?” Dave asked, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent of something unspoken. He didn’t need him moving in on his girl, he expected him to try and take his spot back as king of New York but his woman? She was off limits. Dave had met Beyonce about a year after Chris had got arrested and they’d been together since.
He hadn’t always been faithful, but she didn’t know that. He just knew he oved her, and couldn’t let her go.
Chris shrugged, leaning back in the chair as the clippers buzzed around his head. “Just gettin’ a cut, that’s all,” he replied with a grin, glancing back at her. “Your girl does good work.”
She smiled awkwardly, sensing the shift in energy between the brothers. “So, you boys got a lot of catching up to do, huh?”
“Yeah,” Dave said, his hand slipping around her waist as he pulled her closer, his gaze never leaving Chris. “A whole lot.”
Chris chuckled, shaking his head. “Who was shorty from the club last night?” Chris asked.
“Which one?” Dave asked.
“The one on your lap?”
“Man she was just a stripper.” Dave replied quickly making Bey side eye him.
“I think she fine, you should hook me up. Fresh start is exactly what a nigga need.”
Dave’s smile faltered just slightly, his grip tightening on her waist for a second before he let go. “Just make sure that fresh start don’t mess with what I’ve got goin’ on here she is on payroll, but I can connect you.”
Chris met Dave’s eyes, his expression softening slightly, but there was still a flicker of defiance. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Just tryin’ to stay out of trouble.”
“Good we don’t need you back in prison man,” Dave said, his voice firm. Then, turning to her, he softened. “Imma be next door, Chris come holla at me when you done. You comin’ over tonight?” He asked Bey.
She nodded, giving Dave a quick peck on the cheek before returning to her work on Chris. The tension between the two brothers hung in the air, but neither said another word.
As Dave left, Chris leaned back in the chair, sighing. “I told you I hated that sentence.”
She glanced at him, “And I told you, I’m in a relationship.”
Chris chuckled softly. “Yeah, I get it. But I can’t help it—you’re just too good at keepin’ me here. Besides the girl on his lap wasn’t a stripper, but you didn’t hear that from me.”
She laughed lightly, shaking her head, but there was something deeper in her gaze—a hint of curiosity, “Better watch yourself, Chris. Dave would never cheat on me, I’m guessing you like dark humor?”
He smirked, staring at her through the mirror. “Yeah, sure let’s go with that.” He replied shrugging.
“And what that mean?”
Chris chuckled, tilting his head slightly to meet her gaze in the mirror. “It’s just the truth. But you’ll figure that out soon enough.” He shrugged slightly.
Beyoncé paused for a second, her hands momentarily stilling on the clippers, before continuing with her task. “Dave isn’t the man to cross, are you crazy? dangerous? What is it because you’re signing your death certificate?” she asked
“Me? Dangerous?” Chris leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared at her. “Nah, I just got nothin’ to lose. Makes me honest, that’s all.” His tone grew quieter, more reflective.
She gave him a sidelong glance. “You sure ‘bout that? Everyone’s got somethin’ to lose.”
Chris smirked, his expression becoming more guarded. “Not me. Not anymore.” He watched her in the mirror, noticing the slight crease in her brow as she processed his words.
Silence settled over them for a moment. The clippers buzzed softly, cutting through the tension. But then Chris broke it with a laugh, lightening the mood again. “But hey, don’t worry ’bout me. I’m here to get a fresh cut, not mess up your day.” He winked, trying to pull her back into his playful rhythm.
She smiled again, shaking her head as she finished the last few touches on his hair. “Well, fresh cut’s all done. And for the record, your dark humor don’t scare me, I’m not easily rattled hence why Dave and I work out well.”
Chris stood up, rubbing his hand over his newly trimmed hair. “Good. ’Cause I like a challenge.”
As he pulled on his durag, preparing to leave, Beyoncé finally met his gaze fully, her eyes sharper now. “I’ll say this, Chris. Dave’s my man. I’m loyal to him, and I ain’t the type to be swayed by sweet talk either.” She said, she realized he didn’t care about the fact that she belonged to his best friend. He still flirted.
Chris nodded slowly, the grin still playing at the corner of his lips. “I hear you. Respect.” He took a step toward the door, but then paused, looking back at her one last time. “But I ain’t always sweet talkin’. Sometimes I’m just speakin’ the truth.”
With that, he turned and headed out, leaving her standing there, staring after him for a moment longer than she intended. She wondered about this woman who was on Dave’s lap. She’d always had a feeling he was cheating, she just never had proof and he was so good to her there was just no way. She wouldn’t believe some man she just met over the man she’d been with for the past 4 years.
***
