Roman wakes at Jae's apartment near Millicent Avenue, where he and Dante had stayed the night to keep Jae company after the staged drive-by. Roman reflects on his exchange with Torrent afterward, in which he claimed he'd only grabbed the nearest people instinctively—a mix of truth and lie designed to mask his alliance with Khalil. He texted Khalil that the staged shooting ("the cake") came out right, despite the bystander Russell collapsing. Khalil reminded Roman that to truly free his family from the BBB debt, every member must be eliminated.

Jae thanks Roman and Dante for being gentlemen, mentioning she'd warned her friend Trina for safety. In conversation, she reveals that her brothers Terrance (Torrent) and Tracy (Tranquil) own Trout's, donate to longtime Mayor Gravely's campaigns, and are connected through the Chamber of Commerce. She also mentions a major state-backed revitalization project coming to the Skids, near the old Mason jar factory and Greenhaven Apartments, involving the Office of Housing and the lieutenant governor. Roman, the financial strategist, immediately recognizes the laundering, kickback, and real-estate opportunities this represents—and the BBB's political leverage. Jae warns him to stay away from her brothers' business before falling asleep.

Driving home, Dante confronts Roman about the staged drive-by, blaming him for endangering people and scaring Russell to death. Roman pulls Dante over and bluntly tells him to either trust the plan or stop questioning it, since they are cleaning up Dante's mess.

At the house, Detectives Chauncey Mansfield and Joseph Neary are waiting in an unmarked Malibu. Chauncey reveals that Getty was a confidential informant on the BBB for six months and is now missing along with his girlfriend Cassidy Gutierrez. He details the BBB's operations—drugs, guns, trafficking—and offers protection if Roman and Dante cooperate. Roman calmly refuses, demands a warrant, and dismisses them, noting Chauncey's twitch when Neveah is mentioned. Roman goes inside, unsettled by his own lack of fear, sensing he is operating on cold instinct—"like a dragon."