The USB drive clutched in her hand felt heavier than before—like the weight of every decision she was about to make was pressing down on her all at once.
"Can I really trust reymond" she muttered herself
Taking a deep breath, Sam pocketed her phone and hurried to her car. Once inside, she plugged the USB into her laptop, her fingers tapping anxiously on the steering wheel as she waited for the files to load. The soft hum of the engine filled the silence, but Sam barely noticed. Her thoughts were spinning, doubts creeping in. Could she really trust Raymond? Was this all legit, or just another setup to drag her deeper into the syndicate's mess?
Suddenly, the screen flashed to life, and Sam's eyes widened. **"Oh my God,"** she whispered, shocked by what she saw.
Without wasting another second, she sped home, her eyes glued to the laptop screen as she drove. The streets of the city blurred past, but Sam didn't care. All that mattered was what was on that USB.
By the time she got home and settled at her small kitchen table, she was fully focused, staring at the laptop like it held all the answers. The blue glow of the screen illuminated her tired face as she scrolled through file after file. She'd been at it for hours, her eyes burning from the strain, but stopping wasn't an option. Not when she was this close to uncovering the truth.
Each folder contained documents, emails, and transactions, all linking The Broker to major political figures, law enforcement, and even corporate giants. It was clear now, The Broker wasn't just some small-time criminal mastermind. He was a shadow, lurking behind the city's most powerful institutions, pulling the strings from the shadows.
But one file stood out from the rest. A map of the city. At first glance, it looked like a standard street map, but when Sam zoomed in, she noticed something off—a hidden complex underneath the city's surface. It was massive, with multiple levels and security checkpoints. The word **Fortress** was scribbled in red across one corner of the map.
Sam's heart raced. This was it. This was where The Broker operated from—where everything was controlled. And if the rumors were true, it could also be where Lily was being held.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, and she let out a frustrated breath. The place was practically a fortress, and she didn't have the resources to break in. She needed help—again. And she knew exactly who to call, even though she hated to admit it.
Mike.
Sam picked up her phone, hesitating for a second. She had promised herself she wouldn't drag Mike any deeper into this mess, especially after everything that had happened. But she was running out of options. And she trusted Mike's skills—he was the best hacker in the city, maybe even the country.
She dialed his number, her stomach twisting with a mix of guilt and desperation. It rang a few times before Mike's groggy voice came through.
"Sam, it's late. What's going on?" he asked, his tone sharp but not unkind.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Mike, but I need your help again," Sam said, not bothering with pleasantries. She got straight to the point. "I found something. A fortress hidden beneath the city. It's where The Broker operates, and I think it's where Lily is."
There was a pause on the other end before Mike responded, sounding more awake now. A fortress? Are you serious?
"Dead serious," Sam replied. But I can't get in on my own. I need your skills to hack into their security system and give me a shot.
Mike sighed heavily. You know how dangerous this is, right? If The Broker figures out we're onto him…
"I know," Sam interrupted, her voice firm. But I don't have a choice. I need to get in there, Mike. Lily's life depends on it.
There was another long pause before Mike finally spoke. Alright. I'm in. But we need to move fast. If this place is as secure as you say, it's not going to be easy.
"Thank you," Sam breathed, relief washing over her. Let's meet at the usual place tomorrow. I'll bring everything I've got.
"Got it," Mike said. But Sam… be careful. We're dealing with some really dangerous people here.
Sam nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I will."
She hung up the phone and leaned back in her chair, staring at the map on her laptop screen. The fortress was a terrifying reality, but now, with Mike on board, they at least had a shot at getting inside. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. Mr. X was watching her every move, and she knew it wouldn't be long before he caught on.
The next day, Sam met Mike at an old, rundown café on the outskirts of the city. It was the kind of place no one paid attention to, which made it perfect for their meetings. Sam slid into the booth across from Mike, who already had his laptop open and several gadgets spread out on the table.
"I've been looking into that map you sent me," Mike said without preamble, his fingers tapping rapidly on his keyboard. "This place is like Fort Knox. The security is insane—multiple layers of encrypted firewalls, motion sensors, biometric scanners. The works."
Sam swallowed hard. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but hearing it laid out like that made it even more daunting. "Can you get us in?"
Mike smirked. "Getting in is the easy part. Staying alive once we're inside—that's the real challenge.
Sam gave him a half-smile. "That's what I've got you for, right?"
Mike snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't get yourself killed. I don't want to be hacking a eulogy for you.
They spent the next few hours going over the plan. Mike would disable the security systems remotely, giving Sam a short window to infiltrate the fortress. Once inside, she would have to find Lily and any other evidence that could bring down The Broker. It was risky, but it was the only shot they had.
As they finished up, Mike closed his laptop and looked at her seriously. Sam, if anything goes wrong in there, you need to bail. Don't try to play hero.
Sam met his gaze, her expression determined. "I won't leave without Lily."
Mike shook his head, but didn't argue. "Just be careful, alright?"
"I will," Sam promised, though she wasn't sure how much she could guarantee that.
Later that night, Sam sat alone in her apartment, going over the plan again in her head. Everything was in place, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. Mr. X had been quiet lately—too quiet. It made her nervous.
Her phone buzzed on the table, and Sam grabbed it, expecting to see a message from Mike. But when she looked at the screen, her heart skipped a beat.
Unknown number.
She hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice cautious. "Hello?"
A low, familiar voice came through the line, sending a chill down her spine. "You've been busy, Sam."
It was Mr. X.
Her grip tightened on the phone. "What do you want?"
Mr. X chuckled darkly. You really think you can take me down? That you can waltz into my city and disrupt everything I've built?
Sam's heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her voice steady. "I'm not stopping until I do."
"You've made a lot of enemies, Sam," Mr. X said, his tone almost casual. "And they're closing in. I know exactly where you are."
Sam's blood ran cold. She glanced around her apartment, half-expecting to see someone watching her from the shadows.
"Tick tock," Mr. X taunted. "You're running out of time."
The line went dead.
Sam lowered the phone, her mind racing. Mr. X knew where she was, which meant she didn't have much time. She had to move, and fast. The plan was already dangerous enough, but now, with Mr. X tracked her every move, it had just become a race against the clock.
Clenching her fists, Sam stood and grabbed her gear. This wasn't just about taking down The Broker anymore. Now it was personal. Mr. X had drawn a line in the sand, and she was going to make damn sure she crossed it.
Sam's phone buzzed again. Another message, but this time from Mike:
I've hacked into the security system. You're clear to go. Be ready."
Sam grabbed her bag and headed for the door, her mind set. It was time to face The Broker—and whoever else stood in her way.