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Audio version of Jacklyn Taylor Stories
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Jack’s world was closing in. The pressure from Miki was becoming palpable, and every step felt like walking on thin ice. However, he knew that to withstand, he needed to do more than defend; he had to begin attacking. The key to unraveling Miki’s entire network lay in his motives and secret plans.
The next morning, Jack met with Karl in one of the restaurant’s secluded rooms. On the table was a schematic of Miki’s connections and his people. Each line was the result of weeks of surveillance, data analysis, and pattern recognition.
“We know Miki wants to control Daila,” Jack said, pointing to the central point of the diagram. “But why does he want it?”
Karl frowned, looking at the diagram.
“It might be related to his operations abroad. Daila could give him access to international networks and make him nearly untouchable.”
“Or he wants more than just power,” Jack added. “He’s always had ambitions beyond the criminal world.”
Meanwhile, in one of the luxurious villas in Rochford, Miki was discussing his plans with Samuel.
“We’re almost ready,” Samuel said, placing a report in front of Miki. “Our people have found out that Carter transferred the data to a mobile server. We have the opportunity to track him.”
“And what about Daila?” Miki asked, not looking away from the screen.
“We don’t know where she is yet,” Samuel replied. “But we’re sure she’s connected to Carter. He may have already started activating her.”
Miki smiled.
“Good. If he activates her, it’ll make things easier for us. We’ll just take her from him.”
As Jack prepared for his next operation, he decided it was time to learn more about Leah and her mother, who might be connected to Miki. He remembered that Leah’s mother’s restaurant had been one of the key locations tied to the northern syndicate.
“If we find out what’s going on there, it could shed light on Miki’s true plans,” Jack said to Derek, who was listening intently.
“This is dangerous,” Derek replied, looking at him with concern. “But I understand that you won’t stop.”
“You’re right,” Jack said, putting on his jacket. “I have to go.”
Jack, disguised as an ordinary customer, made his way into Leah’s restaurant and began observing. The place wasn’t like regular restaurants. A strange atmosphere filled the air, one of tension and hidden glances.
Leah, spotted by Jack behind the counter, appeared calm, but her movements were sharp, as if she was trying to control something within herself.
“Can I get a coffee?” Jack asked, sitting at the bar.
“Of course,” Leah replied, barely glancing at him.
As she made the coffee, Jack studied her carefully. She was nervous but concealed it with a mask of professionalism. In her eyes was hidden pain, possibly linked to her past.
“Tough day?” Jack asked, trying to start a conversation.
Leah looked at him with a slight smirk.
“Are there any easy days?”
Later, while observing the happenings in the restaurant, Jack noticed suspicious movements. One of the people handed Leah an envelope, which she quickly hid in a drawer. This confirmed that the place was connected to something much larger than just food and drinks.
When Leah stepped away from the counter, Jack discreetly approached and peeked into the drawer. Inside was an envelope containing documents related to arms shipments and the syndicate’s financing.
“This is what we need,” he thought, quickly taking a photo.
Back at the meeting with Karl, Jack shared his discovery.
“This is the key to their operations,” he said. “But we still don’t know why they need Daila.”
Karl shook his head.
“They want to use her as a weapon. But if we reveal their plans, we can turn this against them.”
Meanwhile, Dexter continued working on finding information about “Daila.” He was on the verge of discovering her location, but he knew with each new find, he was increasing his value to Miki—and the danger to himself.
Miki, growing more impatient, made a decision.
“If Carter doesn’t surrender, we’ll start acting aggressively,” he said to Samuel. “Find his weakness and strike there.”
Miki’s world, at first glance, seemed carefully organized: exquisite dinners, elite clients, and meetings where millions of dollars were discussed. However, behind this polished facade, a world of chaos and intrigue was hidden.
Each of his actions was steeped in strategy, and every movement held a hidden meaning. Jack, immersed in the investigation, was starting to understand that Miki’s plans were not just attempts to expand influence in the criminal world. They were aimed at something much bigger, something that could change the game entirely.
Meanwhile, at Jack’s restaurant, strangers were noticed. These were American agents working undercover. They ordered dinner, but their behavior betrayed their intentions: excessive attention to detail and constant glances at the surveillance cameras.
“Who are they?” asked Karl as Jack approached the counter to check the camera data.
“I’m not sure,” Jack replied. “But their behavior doesn’t sit right with me.”
Karl nodded, looking thoughtfully at the screen.
“Maybe they’re looking for Miki too.”
Meanwhile, Miki was meeting with Dexter to discuss a new plan. Dexter provided additional data he had found while working on the system.
“Carter knows more about us than we thought,” Dexter said, pulling up data from the network. “He’s not just protecting his data. He’s attacking.”
“What is he looking for?” Miki asked, crossing his arms.
“Traces of financial transactions. It looks like he’s trying to figure out who’s funding your operations,” Dexter replied. “But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He needs more information.”
Miki thought for a moment. His face remained impassive, but inside, a fury was brewing.
“Then we’ll give him what he’s looking for,” he said, smiling grimly. “But only what I want him to see.”
Meanwhile, Jack was going through the documents he had taken from Leah’s restaurant. They contained not only financial reports but also a list of names—key figures linked to the northern syndicate. Among them, he found a name that caught his attention: Miles Braxton, a former military analyst now working for Miki.
“Who is Miles Braxton?” Jack asked Karl, showing him the document.
Karl frowned.
“I’ve heard of him. He’s someone who can turn any information into a weapon. If he’s working for Miki, this is serious.”
— He could be the key to their plans, — Jack said, writing the name down in his notebook. — We need to find out what he’s up to.
Meanwhile, in Leah’s office, a tense conversation was unfolding. Miki had personally arrived to discuss the information leak.
“Did you let Carter get to our documents?” he asked, his voice threatening.
“It’s not my fault,” Leah replied, trying not to show fear. “I did everything to protect them.”
“Not enough,” Miki said, his eyes narrowing. “If he finds out about ‘Dyla,’ it’s over.”
“He won’t find out,” she replied. “I have a plan.”
Miki looked at her, his face cold.
“Make sure that’s how it stays. Or it will be your end.”
Later that night, Jack returned to Derek’s cabin. He felt like the puzzle was starting to come together, but some pieces were still hidden.
“You look tired,” Derek said, setting a cup of hot tea in front of him.
“It’s exhausting,” Jack replied, sitting down on the couch. “Miki’s so deep in his schemes that every step he takes is a new riddle.”
“Are you sure you have the strength to keep going?” Derek asked, his voice full of concern.
Jack smiled at him.
“As long as you’re here, I can do anything.”
They sat in silence, enjoying the quiet moment, but Jack’s thoughts kept spinning. He knew that ahead of him was a decisive moment when he would have to make a choice: reveal all his cards or risk everything for victory.
The chapter ends with a scene in which Miki instructs Dexter to create a fake network to lure Jack into a trap, while Jack realizes that his next target is Miles Braxton.
Jack couldn’t afford the luxury of rest. Miki’s secrets were becoming more complex, and the upcoming meeting with Miles Braxton promised to be pivotal. He understood perfectly that this man was not just an analyst. Braxton was a strategist, capable of turning any piece of information into a lever of influence. But Jack also knew that Miki was planning something else, something that could jeopardize everything.
Meanwhile, Mikki met with Braxton at one of his secret residences. Miles, a fit man with a perceptive gaze, sat at a massive table, spreading several documents in front of him.
“We have a problem,” Mikki began, pouring himself a whiskey. “Carter is getting too close. He knows more than I expected.”
Braxton nodded, his face remained calm.
“What do you want me to do?”
“We need to stop him,” Mikki said, his voice steely. “But not just eliminate him. I want him to work for us.”
Braxton raised an eyebrow.
“That’s risky. If he doesn’t comply, he’ll become an even greater threat.”
“Then we’ll use Dyla,” Mikki replied, his eyes gleaming. “If he sees its power, he won’t have a choice.”
Meanwhile, Jack and Karl were gathering information about Miles. Karl found old reports linking Braxton to several covert operations. His name appeared in contracts tied to government agencies.
“He was part of the ‘Echelon’ program,” Karl said, showing a document. “This program was responsible for gathering global data. Braxton was one of the key analysts.”
“That explains why he’s working for Mikki,” Jack replied, diving deeper into the materials. “If anyone can use Dyla to its full potential, it’s him.”
Later that evening, Mikki sent his people to Leah’s restaurant to prepare her for a potential meeting with Jack. Leah, realizing she was under close scrutiny, decided to play by her own rules.
“If Carter comes here, I can distract him,” she told one of Mikki’s men. “But I need the guarantee that you’ll be nearby.”
“We are always nearby,” the man responded, checking his weapon.
Leah smirked, but her gaze remained tense. She knew Mikki didn’t forgive mistakes.
Meanwhile, Jack prepared the plan for meeting Miles. He knew that directly approaching him would be difficult, so he decided to use an old trick: a setup operation.
With Karl’s help, he organized a fake information exchange, hoping it would attract Braxton’s attention. They chose a neutral location—a deserted warehouse on the outskirts of the city.
“Are you sure he’ll come?” Karl asked, checking the recording equipment.
“If he’s as good as they say, he already knows about this exchange,” Jack replied, pulling on his jacket. “The question is, will he want to show up personally?”
The night enveloped the warehouse in thick fog. Jack waited, hidden behind old crates, while Karl kept watch from a car parked nearby. About an hour passed before a black SUV pulled up to the warehouse.
The door opened, and Miles Braxton stepped out. His confident stride and calm gaze revealed a man accustomed to controlling situations.
“Carter,” he said, his voice sounding like a challenge. “You’ve made quite a stir.”
Jack emerged from his hiding spot, keeping his hands visible.
“Miles,” he began, trying to speak calmly. “I think we have something to discuss.”
Braxton smirked, folding his arms across his chest.
“You think I don’t know what you’re trying to do? You want to learn about Dyla. But why?”
“To stop Mikki,” Jack replied flatly. “He’s planning to use it to destroy everything we protect.”
Braxton fell silent, his eyes narrowing.
“You don’t understand the bigger picture, Carter. Dyla isn’t just a program. It’s a weapon that can change the world. And if it falls into the wrong hands, the consequences will be catastrophic.”
“That’s why it can’t be in Mikki’s hands,” Jack said, taking a step forward. “Help me stop him.”
For a moment, a tense silence hung between them. Finally, Braxton spoke.
“Alright. But only because I don’t trust Mikki. I’ll help you, but if you betray me, it will be your last mistake.”
Mikki’s world was not just a criminal network but a carefully organized machine where every detail played its part. Jack knew that if he wanted to stop Mikki, he would have to act not only against him but also against his allies, including those whose motives still remained unclear.
Leah returned to her restaurant late that night. In the silence, she approached her desk, opened the drawer, and pulled out a photograph. It was of her as a child, holding hands with her mother. Their smiles were genuine, but in the background, a man could be seen—the man Leah knew as her father, the one who had connected her family to the syndicate.
“Would you be proud of me, Dad?” Leah whispered quietly, putting the photo back.
Leah was not just a player in Mikki’s game; she was trying to free herself from him. Her role in the syndicate had become chains that she could not escape from. But in Jack, she saw a possible way out.
The next morning, Leah decided to take a risk. She sent a note through one of her people to Jack:
“We can talk. Just the two of us. You know where to find me.”
Her decision was dangerous, but necessary. She knew that if Jack could defeat Mikki, she would have a chance at a new life.
Watching the developments unfold, Karl began to suspect that their efforts could be sabotaged by someone from the inside. He noticed that one of their contacts, connected to the restaurant, had started avoiding meetings and evading direct questions.
Meeting with Jack in an empty room, Karl shared his suspicions.
“I think we have a leak,” he said. “Someone’s passing information to Mikki.”
“Do we have any options?” Jack asked, his gaze focused.
“One of our chefs, Tony. He recently received a large sum into his account. I checked his phone, and he’s been communicating with someone from Mikki’s group.”
“If he’s betrayed us, this changes everything,” Jack said, clenching his fists. “We need to find out immediately.”
Karl agreed, and they decided to keep an eye on Tony to understand how deeply he was involved.
Dexer continued to delve deeper into the system analysis. He discovered that Dyla was not just a spy program, but also the key to controlling satellite networks, which gave the ability to control communications and infrastructure.
He reported this to Mikki.
“With this, we can not only destroy the Carters. We can control cities, countries,” he said.
Mikki paused and thought.
“What if Carter has already activated it?”
“Then he himself becomes our target,” Dexer replied. “But I need more time to confirm this.”
Mikki nodded.
“Do what you need to do. But remember, if he activates it, we won’t get a second chance.”
Jack spent the whole day working on the plan with Carl. Returning home late in the evening, he noticed that the door to Derek’s cabin was slightly ajar.
“Derek?” he called as he stepped inside.
Derek came out of the kitchen, looking concerned.
“Someone’s been here,” he said, pointing to the marks on the floor. “I think they were looking for you.”
Jack scanned the room. All the equipment was in place, but one detail caught his attention: on the table lay a photo of him and Derek, taken a few months ago.
“This is a warning,” Jack said. “They want me to know they’re close.”
Derek stepped closer, his gaze serious.
“You shouldn’t come back here until this is over. It’s too dangerous.”
Jack hugged him.
“I won’t let them drag you into this,” he whispered. “We’ll manage.”
Mikki received information from his people that Carter was planning to meet with Miles Braxton soon. He decided to use this as an opportunity to strike.
“We’re going after him,” Mikki said to Dexer. “If he trusts Braxton, that’ll be his mistake.”
Dexer smirked.
“What if he doesn’t show up?”
“Then we’ll find his weak spot,” Mikki replied. “And we’ll destroy him.”
