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The Hustler’s Gamble 21 : A deal with the devil
Jamal hadn’t wanted to call Khalil. Too much history. Too much betrayal. But desperate men didn’t get to be picky. He found Khalil at a high-end lounge in the city. Unlike Jamal, Khalil was still thriving. Dressed in an expensive suit, a glass of whiskey in hand, he looked exactly like the kind of man Jamal had once despised. “You look like hell,” Khalil remarked as Jamal sat down. Jamal didn’t waste time. “The Syndicate took everything.” Khalil raised an eyebrow. “Not surprised.” “You said you knew people. People who worked with them.” Khalil nodded. “I do.” “I need information. Leverage. Something to hit back.” Khalil smirked. “You don’t have the resources to hit back.” Jamal’s fists clenched. “Then help me get them.” Khalil studied him. “You’re asking me to go against people who could destroy both of us.” Jamal didn’t flinch. “They already destroyed me. What do I have to lose?” Silence stretched between them. Then Khalil sighed. “Alright. There might be a way. But you won’
The Hustler’s Gamble 22 : Fire and Blood
Later that night, Jamal met with khalil and Malik in an abandoned warehouse. Malik looked skeptical. “So, what did you give Rico?” Jamal smirked. “Let’s just say I still have friends in the right places.” Khalil shook his head. “You’re playing a dangerous game.” Jamal’s smirk faded. “I know.” Malik sighed. “So what’s next?” Jamal’s expression hardened. “We start taking back what’s ours.” Khalil chuckled. “And how do you plan to do that?” Jamal turned to him. “By hitting them where it hurts.” The fight wasn’t over. It was just beginning. Striking First Two nights later, Jamal stood on the rooftop of an abandoned building overlooking one of The Syndicate’s storage facilities. It was a warehouse near the port, a key part of their smuggling operation. Jamal adjusted the earpiece Malik had given him. “You in position?” Malik’s voice crackled through. “Yeah. Cameras are looped. You’ve got five minutes before someone notices.” Jamal nodded and signaled Khalil, who was waiting b
The Hustler’s Gamble 23: the road to retaliation
Jamal had lost everything before—but this time, he refused to stay down. The Syndicate had pushed him to the edge, and now, it was his turn to push back.The S.S had changed since The Dominion fell. The power vacuum had made the streets more chaotic, and everyone was looking for a new king. Jamal had to make sure they saw him as the only option.But first, he needed to rebuild his empire.And that started with making money.A New HustleJamal sat in Malik’s dimly lit apartment, a map of the city spread out on the table. Khalil leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Malik clicked through files on his laptop.“We need cash flow,” Malik said. “Fast.”Khalil smirked. “So we’re back to basics?”Jamal nodded. “We do what we know best—hustle.”Malik glanced up. “I’ve been digging around. The Syndicate’s got their hands in a lot—real estate, smuggling, illegal gambling. But the easiest way to hurt them?” He turned the laptop around, showing a list of businesses. “Their money-laundering
The Hustler’s Gamble 24: the counter strike
Jamal had drawn first blood, but he knew The Syndicate wouldn’t let it slide. Taking Vortex had sent a clear message, and now, the real war was about to begin.Sitting in Malik’s apartment, Jamal leaned over a map of the city, his mind racing through every possible move. Khalil sat opposite him, casually flipping a knife between his fingers, while Malik worked his laptop, gathering intel.“They’re going to hit back soon,” Malik said without looking up. “They’ve already tightened security at their other spots. No one’s making a move without direct orders from the top.”Jamal smirked. “Good. That means they’re feeling the pressure.”Khalil exhaled. “Feeling pressure and folding are two different things, bro. We just killed one of their guys. You think they’re gonna sit back?”“No,” Jamal admitted. “They’re going to come for me.”A Sudden AmbushJamal’s prediction came true faster than expected.Three nights after taking Vortex, he was heading to his car after a meeting with a potential
The Hustler’s Gamble 25 : Blood and business
Jamal had secured an alliance with Ogundele, but he knew that promises and handshakes meant nothing without action. The Syndicate wasn’t going to sit back and let him rise again. If he wanted to survive—and win—he had to strike first. A Calculated Strike Jamal, Khalil, and Malik sat in a dimly lit warehouse on the S.S, studying a layout of The Syndicate’s major operations. “They’ve got three key money sources,” Malik said, pointing at the map. “A high-stakes gambling spot in the city,a drug warehouse, and an illegal offshore money laundering hub .” Jamal rubbed his chin. “The gambling spot—how much does it make?” Khalil smirked. “A lot. It’s where politicians and criminals mix. The Syndicate doesn’t just make money from the bets; they control debts, blackmail people, and move cash through the system.” Jamal exhaled. “That’s our target.” Malik frowned. “You sure? If we hit that, it’s war.” Jamal’s jaw tightened. “It already is.” A Night of ChaosThe gambling den was hidden beh
The Hustler’s Gamble 26: the hurt for the kingpin
Jamal knew that if they want to reduce the blood shed, they had to take down the Syndicate’s leader. But first, they had to find out who he was. The problem? No one knew his name. The Syndicate wasn’t like The Dominion. They didn’t parade their power or flaunt their wealth. They moved in the shadows, leaving no loose ends. Jamal, Malik, and Khalil sat in one of Khalil’s apartment, going over every piece of information they had. “We know they own politicians,” Malik said, sipping his beer. “They control businesses, smuggling, and money laundering. But no one has ever seen their boss.” Jamal drummed his fingers on the table. “Every organization has a weak link. We just have to find it.” Khalil leaned back. “And I might know where to start.” Jamal and Malik turned to him. “There’s a man named Pascal,” Khalil continued. “He’s high up in the Syndicate’s money operations. If anyone knows who’s pulling the strings, it’s him.” Jamal nodded. “Where do we find him?” Khalil smirked. “Th
The Hustler’s Gamble 27 : walking into the lion’s den
Pascal’s confession had given them their first real lead—The Broker’s second-in-command was attending a Syndicate meeting tomorrow night. This was their chance to get closer to the man pulling the strings. But it was also the most dangerous move yet. Khalil leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “You realize what this means, right? We’re walking straight into their den.” Jamal nodded. “I know. But if we don’t take the risk, we’ll always be playing defense. We need to make a move before they do.” Malik sighed, tapping away at his laptop. “I managed to track some online chatter. The meeting’s happening at a private club in Victoria Island. High security, invitation-only.” Jamal smirked. “Good thing we’re not the type to wait for an invite.” The Plan They spent the next few hours crafting their strategy. Step one: They needed an entry. Malik hacked into the club’s security system, accessing their guest list and surveillance. Step two: They needed disguises. Rico, who had
The Hustler’s Gamble 1 : Rock bottom
Jamal Carter sat on the edge of his worn-out mattress, staring blankly at the eviction notice taped to his apartment door. His eyes felt empty, and his mind was numb. He had been struggling to make ends meet for months, and now he was facing the very real possibility of being homeless.The eviction notice was the final straw. Jamal had been living on instant noodles and tap water for weeks, stretching out his last few dollars. His fridge was empty, except for a half-drunk bottle of cheap soda and a takeout box with nothing but dried sauce stains.Seventy-three dollars. That was all Jamal had to his name. No job, no prospects, no backup plan. He had been searching for work for months, but every door he knocked on seemed to be closed.For years, Jamal had convinced himself that things would change. That he'd find the big break, the right opportunity, the moment that would turn his life around. He had watched others do it, guys from the neighborhood who started from nothing and climbed t
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27 : walking into the lion’s den
Pascal’s confession had given them their first real lead—The Broker’s second-in-command was attending a Syndicate meeting tomorrow night. This was their chance to get closer to the man pulling the strings. But it was also the most dangerous move yet. Khalil leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “You realize what this means, right? We’re walking straight into their den.” Jamal nodded. “I know. But if we don’t take the risk, we’ll always be playing defense. We need to make a move before they do.” Malik sighed, tapping away at his laptop. “I managed to track some online chatter. The meeting’s happening at a private club in Victoria Island. High security, invitation-only.” Jamal smirked. “Good thing we’re not the type to wait for an invite.” The Plan They spent the next few hours crafting their strategy. Step one: They needed an entry. Malik hacked into the club’s security system, accessing their guest list and surveillance. Step two: They needed disguises. Rico, who had
26: the hurt for the kingpin
Jamal knew that if they want to reduce the blood shed, they had to take down the Syndicate’s leader. But first, they had to find out who he was. The problem? No one knew his name. The Syndicate wasn’t like The Dominion. They didn’t parade their power or flaunt their wealth. They moved in the shadows, leaving no loose ends. Jamal, Malik, and Khalil sat in one of Khalil’s apartment, going over every piece of information they had. “We know they own politicians,” Malik said, sipping his beer. “They control businesses, smuggling, and money laundering. But no one has ever seen their boss.” Jamal drummed his fingers on the table. “Every organization has a weak link. We just have to find it.” Khalil leaned back. “And I might know where to start.” Jamal and Malik turned to him. “There’s a man named Pascal,” Khalil continued. “He’s high up in the Syndicate’s money operations. If anyone knows who’s pulling the strings, it’s him.” Jamal nodded. “Where do we find him?” Khalil smirked. “Th
25 : Blood and business
Jamal had secured an alliance with Ogundele, but he knew that promises and handshakes meant nothing without action. The Syndicate wasn’t going to sit back and let him rise again. If he wanted to survive—and win—he had to strike first. A Calculated Strike Jamal, Khalil, and Malik sat in a dimly lit warehouse on the S.S, studying a layout of The Syndicate’s major operations. “They’ve got three key money sources,” Malik said, pointing at the map. “A high-stakes gambling spot in the city,a drug warehouse, and an illegal offshore money laundering hub .” Jamal rubbed his chin. “The gambling spot—how much does it make?” Khalil smirked. “A lot. It’s where politicians and criminals mix. The Syndicate doesn’t just make money from the bets; they control debts, blackmail people, and move cash through the system.” Jamal exhaled. “That’s our target.” Malik frowned. “You sure? If we hit that, it’s war.” Jamal’s jaw tightened. “It already is.” A Night of ChaosThe gambling den was hidden beh
24: the counter strike
Jamal had drawn first blood, but he knew The Syndicate wouldn’t let it slide. Taking Vortex had sent a clear message, and now, the real war was about to begin.Sitting in Malik’s apartment, Jamal leaned over a map of the city, his mind racing through every possible move. Khalil sat opposite him, casually flipping a knife between his fingers, while Malik worked his laptop, gathering intel.“They’re going to hit back soon,” Malik said without looking up. “They’ve already tightened security at their other spots. No one’s making a move without direct orders from the top.”Jamal smirked. “Good. That means they’re feeling the pressure.”Khalil exhaled. “Feeling pressure and folding are two different things, bro. We just killed one of their guys. You think they’re gonna sit back?”“No,” Jamal admitted. “They’re going to come for me.”A Sudden AmbushJamal’s prediction came true faster than expected.Three nights after taking Vortex, he was heading to his car after a meeting with a potential
23: the road to retaliation
Jamal had lost everything before—but this time, he refused to stay down. The Syndicate had pushed him to the edge, and now, it was his turn to push back.The S.S had changed since The Dominion fell. The power vacuum had made the streets more chaotic, and everyone was looking for a new king. Jamal had to make sure they saw him as the only option.But first, he needed to rebuild his empire.And that started with making money.A New HustleJamal sat in Malik’s dimly lit apartment, a map of the city spread out on the table. Khalil leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Malik clicked through files on his laptop.“We need cash flow,” Malik said. “Fast.”Khalil smirked. “So we’re back to basics?”Jamal nodded. “We do what we know best—hustle.”Malik glanced up. “I’ve been digging around. The Syndicate’s got their hands in a lot—real estate, smuggling, illegal gambling. But the easiest way to hurt them?” He turned the laptop around, showing a list of businesses. “Their money-laundering
22 : Fire and Blood
Later that night, Jamal met with khalil and Malik in an abandoned warehouse. Malik looked skeptical. “So, what did you give Rico?” Jamal smirked. “Let’s just say I still have friends in the right places.” Khalil shook his head. “You’re playing a dangerous game.” Jamal’s smirk faded. “I know.” Malik sighed. “So what’s next?” Jamal’s expression hardened. “We start taking back what’s ours.” Khalil chuckled. “And how do you plan to do that?” Jamal turned to him. “By hitting them where it hurts.” The fight wasn’t over. It was just beginning. Striking First Two nights later, Jamal stood on the rooftop of an abandoned building overlooking one of The Syndicate’s storage facilities. It was a warehouse near the port, a key part of their smuggling operation. Jamal adjusted the earpiece Malik had given him. “You in position?” Malik’s voice crackled through. “Yeah. Cameras are looped. You’ve got five minutes before someone notices.” Jamal nodded and signaled Khalil, who was waiting b
21 : A deal with the devil
Jamal hadn’t wanted to call Khalil. Too much history. Too much betrayal. But desperate men didn’t get to be picky. He found Khalil at a high-end lounge in the city. Unlike Jamal, Khalil was still thriving. Dressed in an expensive suit, a glass of whiskey in hand, he looked exactly like the kind of man Jamal had once despised. “You look like hell,” Khalil remarked as Jamal sat down. Jamal didn’t waste time. “The Syndicate took everything.” Khalil raised an eyebrow. “Not surprised.” “You said you knew people. People who worked with them.” Khalil nodded. “I do.” “I need information. Leverage. Something to hit back.” Khalil smirked. “You don’t have the resources to hit back.” Jamal’s fists clenched. “Then help me get them.” Khalil studied him. “You’re asking me to go against people who could destroy both of us.” Jamal didn’t flinch. “They already destroyed me. What do I have to lose?” Silence stretched between them. Then Khalil sighed. “Alright. There might be a way. But you won’
20 : into the lion’s den
Obsidian Lounge was nothing like Rico’s Bar. It was sleek, modern, and exclusive—only the rich, powerful, or dangerous got in. Jamal walked past the velvet ropes, nodding at the bouncer. The man barely glanced at him before stepping aside. They had been expecting him. Inside, the air was thick with cigar smoke and quiet conversations. Business deals were being made in dark corners, and waitresses in expensive dresses moved gracefully between tables. Jamal spotted a man in a tailored suit seated at a private booth. He was the one waiting. As Jamal approached, the man gestured for him to sit. “Mr. Carter. You’re punctual. That’s good.” Jamal slid into the seat, studying the man. Late forties, calm demeanor, but there was something in his eyes—something calculating. This wasn’t just a foot soldier. “I assume you’re with The Syndicate,” Jamal said, keeping his voice level. The man smiled. “You could say that. My name is Gabriel Sanni. I oversee certain... operations in the S
19 : shadows in the dark
The WarningThe next morning, Jamal stepped out of his apartment, Malik by his side. The city was just waking up, but something felt off.As they approached his car, he noticed a small envelope tucked under the windshield wiper. Frowning, he pulled it out and opened it.Inside was a single playing card.A black king.Malik whistled low. “Damn.”Jamal’s stomach twisted. “You know what this means?”Malik nodded. “Yeah. It means they know exactly who you are.” Jamal exhaled. He had fought too hard to lose now.If The Syndicate wanted a warThey were about to get one.An Unfamiliar FaceThat evening, Jamal was at Rico’s Bar, sitting in his usual corner booth, deep in thought. The bar was busier than usual, with groups of people laughing, drinking, and talking over the low hum of music.His eyes scanned the room out of habit, watching for anything out of place. That’s when he noticed her. Nadine.She was behind the counter, speaking to one of the bartenders. She wasn’t a regular here, and
