Episode 13 — Secrets Pay Better
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Cold Open — HUD Lies for Him
The Bronx morning buzzed with garbage trucks and corner chatter, but inside the apartment it was quiet. Legend sat on the couch, blunt smoldering, HUD glowing steady.
[CASH FLOW | +$2,200 Deposited]
Balance: $97,740 → $99,940
He stretched, rubbed his face, checked the log. It was bigger than ever, but steady. Safe.
The HUD blinked faint red.
[New Passive: Secret Shield — Conceals personal actions. Suspicion reduced by 40%.]
Legend chuckled to himself. "Guess I'm even better at keeping quiet now."
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Scene 1 — Miles's New Temptation
Miles burst out of his room, hoodie half-on, phone buzzing with notifications. "Bro, I got invited to a label mixer tonight. Industry people. Free drinks. Free smoke. You know I gotta slide."
Legend frowned. "Mixers mean contracts on napkins and regrets in the morning."
Miles laughed. "Man, you sound like my stepdad. Chill. I'll keep it light."
Legend snapped $400—Balance: $99,540—and pushed the bills toward him. "Cash only tonight. No cards. No tabs. No receipts."
Miles blinked. "You serious?"
"Always," Legend said.
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Scene 2 — Salina's Routine
Salina came out the bedroom, adjusting her blazer, sharp as ever. She kissed Legend on the cheek. "Work's calling. But tonight? We drink. Just us."
Legend smirked. "Lowkey?"
"Always lowkey," she teased, heading out.
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Scene 3 — Syndicate Chaos
That evening, the Syndicate boss called. Voice sharp. "Legend. Quick job. Messy one. A club in Queens. Too much money floating in the wrong hands. You show up, collect half, make it look easy. You get ten stacks."
Legend lit a blunt. "And the other half?"
"Disappears. That's not your problem."
The HUD blinked.
[Mission Accepted: Club Sweep]
Reward: $10,000]
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Scene 4 — The Club
The club pulsed with bass and bodies. Lights stuttered like broken promises. Legend walked through the crowd lowkey, hoodie up, HUD scanning.
[Heat Level: High. Risk of Violence: 65%.]
In the VIP, two men argued over duffel bags full of cash. Legend stepped in, calm.
"Boss sent me," he said, voice flat.
One man laughed. "And you're supposed to take half? Who the hell are you?"
Legend snapped $500—Balance: $99,040—let the bills flutter to the floor. Every eye in the room tracked the cash.
"Proof I'm real," he said.
While they scrambled, Legend scooped the duffel bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out. A bottle smashed behind him. Someone shouted. Guns lifted.
Legend pumped $200 into Cash Knuckle. One swing shattered the exit door's lock. He slipped into the alley before bullets could fly.
[Mission Complete: +$10,000] → Balance: $109,040
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Scene 5 — The Crazy Secret
After the job, Legend ducked into a lounge downtown — low lighting, velvet booths, music soft enough to hide whispers. He needed to breathe.
That's when she slid into the booth.
Tall. Sharp eyes. Leather jacket. A smile like trouble.
"You're Legend, right?" she purred.
He exhaled smoke. "Depends who's asking."
"Just a fan," she said, leaning closer. "Word is, you always pay. Word is, you always deliver. I like men who don't lie."
The HUD flickered faint red.
[Suspicion Concealed by Secret Shield.]
One drink became two. One laugh became a kiss. The kiss became a blur of heat and hands, her nails digging, his blunt forgotten, the world spinning dirty and shameless.
Hours later, she was asleep against him in the booth's shadow. Legend lit another blunt, staring at the ceiling.
[Action Logged: Secret → Concealed]
Suspicion: 0%.
He smirked. "Secrets pay better."
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Scene 6 — Miles's Trouble
By the time he got home, Miles was pacing in the kitchen, eyes wild.
"Bro, those label dudes tried to corner me tonight. Said they know I got backers. Said if I don't sign, I don't perform anywhere. They ain't playing."
Legend leaned back, calm. "So don't sign. Build your own stage."
Miles groaned. "It ain't that easy!"
Legend snapped $1,000—Balance: $108,040—and slid the cash toward him. "It's exactly that easy. Money builds walls and doors. Pick which one you want."
Miles stared, then nodded slow. "You always got the last word, huh?"
"Because I buy it," Legend said.
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Scene 7 — Salina's Loyalty
Salina came home late, heels clicking, wine on her breath. She saw Miles storm off to his room, then looked at Legend, eyebrow raised.
"Messy night?" she asked.
"Always," Legend said.
She slid onto his lap, straddling him, kissing him hard. "Don't care. As long as you're mine."
The HUD pulsed green.
[Influence: Salina — Loyalty Reinforced → Absolute.]
Legend kissed her back, hiding everything too well.
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Scene 8 — The Collector's Fingerprint
On the table sat another envelope. No cash this time. Just a note.
You keep secrets well. But not from me.
Legend burned it in the ashtray, jaw tight. The HUD screamed.
[Collector Influence: Direct Penetration]
Quest Updated: Ambush Probability — 80%.]
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Closing Beat
Later that night, Salina asleep in his arms, Miles blasting music in his room, Legend sat alone, HUD glowing steady.
[CASH FLOW | +$2,200 Deposited]
Balance: $110,240
He snapped $200—Balance: $110,040—rolled the bills, flicked them into a jar.
The HUD whispered:
[Secret Shield Active. Concealed actions remain hidden.]
Legend smirked. "Good. Because some secrets pay better left in the dark."