Deadly Affairs

Chapter 12

The next day, Vivian received the details of her assignment. A man named Dominic Yates, once loyal to Black Lotus, had recently been reported as unreliable, potentially leaking secrets. If she wanted to prove herself to Delgado, she needed to "convince" Dominic to keep his loyalty. But it was clear that if persuasion didn't work, Delgado expected a harsher outcome.

Vivian stared at the dossier Delgado had sent over. Dominic was in his forties, a former associate with ties to several small-time criminal outfits. He wasn't anyone particularly influential, which probably made him an easy scapegoat for Black Lotus. She felt a twinge of sympathy—Dominic might have wanted out, just as much as she wanted in.

That evening, as she prepared to meet Dominic, she called Liam to go over the plan.

"Are you sure about this?" Liam's voice was edged with concern. He stood in her apartment doorway, arms crossed, watching her load a small pistol.

Vivian looked up, meeting his gaze. "I don't have much choice, Liam. Delgado needs proof that I'm serious, and this assignment will get me closer to him."

Liam stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "I understand that, Vivian, but this is a dangerous line to cross. If you do this, you're playing by Black Lotus's rules, not your own."

Vivian took a deep breath, understanding his hesitation. "I'll try to talk to Dominic first, see if I can get him to agree to stay loyal without things getting ugly."

"And if he doesn't agree?" Liam's eyes were serious, his concern palpable.

"Then..." Vivian paused, the weight of the decision pressing on her. "Then I'll do what I have to do to keep our cover intact."

Liam didn't look convinced, but he nodded. "Just... remember why you're doing this. Don't let Black Lotus change who you are."

Vivian managed a small smile, though doubt gnawed at her. "I won't forget. I promise."

A Meeting in the Shadows

Vivian met Dominic at an old, dimly lit bar on the outskirts of town. She'd chosen the place carefully—somewhere public enough to avoid immediate suspicion, but private enough to talk without interruption. Dominic was already seated in a back corner, his posture tense, eyes darting around as if expecting someone to ambush him at any moment.

As she approached, he looked up, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "You're not one of Delgado's usual messengers."

"No," Vivian replied, sliding into the seat across from him. "But I am here on his behalf."

Dominic's face hardened. "I figured they'd send someone eventually. So, what's the message? Are they planning to 'silence' me?"

Vivian held his gaze, searching his face for any hint of the truth. "They're concerned that you've been talking to the wrong people, Dominic. I'm here to find out if that's true."

He snorted, shaking his head. "You think I'm stupid? I know how Black Lotus operates. The second they think you're unreliable, you're a dead man walking. That's why I was trying to leave."

Vivian leaned forward, her voice calm but firm. "Dominic, leaving isn't an option. Black Lotus has eyes everywhere, and if they think you're a threat, they won't just 'ask questions' next time. Delgado's given me one chance to convince you. If you stay loyal, there might still be a way out for you. But if you run, I can't protect you."

Dominic scoffed, crossing his arms. "So that's it, huh? Fall back in line or face the consequences. You sound just like them."

Vivian hesitated. "Maybe I do. But right now, this is the only way to keep you alive."

He was quiet for a moment, studying her. "And what's in this for you? Why would you care what happens to me?"

Vivian thought carefully before answering. "Because I know what it's like to be trapped by Black Lotus. I don't want to see anyone else get destroyed by them. But if you make the wrong move, you'll be putting yourself in even more danger. If you lay low, I might be able to keep the heat off you."

Dominic sighed, his shoulders sagging. "I don't want this life anymore. But if I have no choice... then fine. I'll stay out of sight, keep my mouth shut."

Vivian nodded, relieved. "Good. That's all Delgado needs to hear. Stay quiet, and maybe we can both get out of this mess eventually."

Dominic gave her a skeptical look, but he didn't argue. He finished his drink, and with a last wary glance at her, he left the bar, disappearing into the night.

A Difficult Choice

Vivian returned to her apartment, feeling both relieved and conflicted. She had managed to keep Dominic quiet without violence, but the encounter left her feeling as if she were on the edge of a slippery slope. How much longer could she play this game without losing herself in it?

Liam was waiting for her when she got home. His gaze softened as she walked in, and he crossed the room to pull her into a hug.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, holding her close.

Vivian closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of his embrace. "Yes. I managed to talk to him. He agreed to stay quiet, for now."

Liam pulled back slightly, looking down at her. "You didn't have to..."

"No," she interrupted. "I didn't. I'm not there yet."

He smiled, relief evident in his expression. "Good. But you need to be careful, Vivian. Delgado's not going to be satisfied with words forever."

She nodded, knowing he was right. "I know. But I'll handle it when the time comes."

For now, Vivian tried to push her worries aside, focusing on the comfort of Liam's presence. But in the back of her mind, she knew that the assignment had been just the beginning. Delgado would continue to test her, pushing her boundaries, forcing her to make choices she'd never wanted to consider. And as much as she wanted to believe she could maintain control, a part of her feared that Black Lotus would eventually demand more than she was willing to give.