Deadly Affairs

Chapter 11

The days following her encounter with Delgado were nerve-wracking. Vivian went about her usual routine, but every time she stepped outside, she felt like she was being watched. Her instincts as a detective screamed that someone had noticed her conversation with Delgado—or maybe they had already known she was trying to infiltrate Black Lotus from the start. It was hard to tell, and that uncertainty left her on edge.

Vivian glanced around as she left her apartment, her eyes scanning the street for any signs of a tail. She'd spent years honing her skills at spotting people who tried to follow her, but whoever was watching her was good. There were no obvious signs, no lingering cars or suspicious figures. Yet the feeling lingered, a constant weight pressing down on her.

That night, she met with Liam at a quiet diner on the outskirts of town, far from the places Black Lotus was known to frequent. They sat in a corner booth, the din of clinking dishes and murmured conversations providing a small layer of security.

Liam looked at her, his face tense. "You're sure he took the bait?"

Vivian nodded, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "Yes. He was interested. He saw me as someone looking for excitement—and he was curious."

Liam glanced around, his gaze sharp. "Good. But we need to be more careful from now on. If Delgado took an interest in you, it won't be long before Black Lotus does, too."

Vivian sighed, feeling the weight of his words. "I know. I feel like someone's been watching me ever since that night."

Liam leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "They're testing you, seeing if you're trustworthy. Delgado doesn't let people in easily. You'll need to prove yourself somehow—and I doubt he'll make it easy."

Vivian frowned. "So what do I do? Just wait for him to come to me?"

Liam shook his head. "No. That would make you look weak. You need to make the next move, but carefully. If you can get close enough to Delgado to gain his trust, he might start introducing you to people higher up the chain."

Vivian's heart pounded at the thought, both from excitement and dread. She was stepping into dangerous territory, and one wrong move could get her killed. But if this was the only way to take down Black Lotus, she had to see it through.

"I'll go back to The Crimson Room tomorrow night," she said, her voice steady. "If Delgado's there, I'll try to talk to him again, maybe hint that I'm interested in something more... serious."

Liam's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Just be careful. Delgado's not the type to forgive betrayal. If he gets even a whiff of what you're really after..."

Vivian reached across the table, touching his hand. "I know, Liam. I won't let him suspect anything."

He looked down at her hand, a mixture of worry and something deeper in his eyes. "I just don't want to lose you, Vivian. We're in this together, but you're putting yourself in the line of fire every time you meet him."

Vivian squeezed his hand, offering him a reassuring smile. "I won't let him get close enough to hurt me. And if things get too dangerous, I'll pull back. I promise."

They sat in silence for a moment, both feeling the gravity of the situation. Finally, Liam gave her a nod. "Alright. Tomorrow night, then."

A Dangerous Invitation

The next evening, Vivian returned to The Crimson Room, her pulse thrumming with a mixture of nerves and determination. She wore a red dress this time, hoping it would catch Delgado's eye and make her stand out in the crowd. She scanned the room as she entered, searching for him among the sea of well-dressed patrons.

It didn't take long. Delgado was sitting in the same booth, his eyes flicking up as she approached. He smiled, gesturing for her to sit down.

"Vivian," he greeted, his tone smooth. "Back so soon? You must enjoy the company."

She laughed, taking a seat across from him. "I do. And I don't believe in wasting time."

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze intense. "Bold. I like that."

Vivian leaned in, her expression serious. "I want to know more, Victor. You mentioned that people with the right mindset can find... opportunities here. I think I have the right mindset."

Delgado's smile grew, but there was a hint of suspicion in his eyes. "You don't seem like the typical thrill-seeker. What exactly are you looking for, Vivian?"

She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I'm looking for something... different. I'm tired of the ordinary. I want to be a part of something bigger, something powerful."

Delgado watched her closely, as if trying to peel back the layers and see what lay beneath. "And what makes you think you have what it takes to be part of something powerful?"

Vivian met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm willing to do what it takes, Victor. I'm not afraid of risk. I'm just looking for the right opportunity."

He seemed to consider her words for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright, Vivian. I might be able to introduce you to some... interesting people. But first, I need to know you're serious."

Vivian's heart skipped a beat. She'd expected this, but hearing it from Delgado made it real. "What do you need me to do?"

Delgado leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "There's a certain associate of ours who's been causing... trouble. We suspect he's been talking to the wrong people, giving out information he shouldn't. We need someone to find him and convince him to stay loyal."

Vivian forced herself to keep a neutral expression, though her mind raced. This was exactly the kind of task Black Lotus used to test loyalty, and she knew she couldn't back out now.

"I can do that," she said, her voice steady.

Delgado's eyes sparkled with approval. "Good. I'll give you the details. I expect you to handle this quickly and discreetly. If you succeed, you'll have proven yourself."

Vivian nodded, feeling the weight of his words. This wasn't just a test—it was a warning. Black Lotus didn't tolerate disloyalty, and if she failed, there would be consequences.

As she left The Crimson Room that night, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She'd taken the first step, but the road ahead was treacherous. She would have to balance on a razor's edge, staying close enough to gain Delgado's trust while avoiding suspicion.

Outside, Liam was waiting for her, his face tense. "How did it go?"

Vivian looked at him, her expression grim. "He wants me to prove myself. He gave me an assignment—a loyalty test."

Liam's jaw clenched. "That's how they trap you. You do one thing for them, and then they hold it over you. They make you prove yourself again and again until you're too deep to get out."

Vivian nodded, the reality settling in. "I know. But this is our way in, Liam. If I can get close to him, we might be able to bring this whole thing down."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Just promise me you'll be careful. Delgado's playing a game, and he's better at it than anyone."

Vivian offered a small, reassuring smile. "I promise."

They walked back to her apartment together, the weight of her promise heavy between them. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but she was ready to see it through. Black Lotus had taken too much from too many people, and she was determined to be the one who would finally bring them down.