Deadly Affairs

Chapter 14

Vivian could still feel the weight of the night's events as she stepped out into the early morning chill. Her heels clicked against the stone path, but her mind was far from her surroundings. The gathering had offered more than she'd bargained for—a glimpse into Black Lotus's hierarchy, a face-to-face meeting with Mr. Lancaster, and a new assignment that was bound to test her loyalty even further.

But Dominic's presence had been the most unexpected twist. The sight of him had rattled her, more than she wanted to admit. She'd given him a lifeline, convinced him to stay quiet and lay low. Yet here he was, caught in the very web she was risking everything to unravel.

She slid into her car and drove in silence, each turn through the empty streets pulling her further into her thoughts. As the city lights flickered past, a sense of dread grew within her. Dominic's presence could either be an asset or a liability, and she wasn't sure how long she could keep his involvement hidden.

A Tense Reunion

By the time she reached her apartment, the first light of dawn was beginning to streak the sky. She barely had time to set down her purse before she heard the familiar knock on her door. Liam entered, his expression tense, his eyes scanning her face as if searching for answers to unspoken questions.

"So," he began, crossing his arms. "How did it go?"

Vivian forced a smile, though exhaustion pulled at her features. "Better than expected. Delgado seems pleased. I met Lancaster... he's definitely someone we'll need to keep an eye on."

Liam nodded, though his brow furrowed as he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "And Dominic?"

Vivian stiffened. "You heard about that?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's hard not to. The guy's out of his depth, Vivian. He shouldn't be anywhere near an event like that."

She exhaled, a mix of frustration and worry clouding her mind. "I know, but he was there anyway. If anyone finds out he tried to leave, it could put both of us in jeopardy."

Liam studied her, concern flickering in his eyes. "You're walking a fine line here. Between keeping Dominic safe, handling Delgado's new assignment, and getting us the intel we need, you're stretching yourself thin."

"I don't have much of a choice," she replied, her voice edged with frustration. "If I don't take this assignment, Delgado will lose trust in me. And if I don't find a way to protect Dominic, he's as good as dead."

Liam reached out, taking her hand. "Just... be careful. Every step deeper with Black Lotus makes it harder to pull back."

Vivian looked at him, a glimmer of vulnerability showing through her tough exterior. "I know, Liam. But I need to do this. We both do."

He squeezed her hand, nodding in reluctant agreement. "Then let's make sure this assignment goes smoothly. I'll help you however I can."

The Plan

As the week progressed, Vivian focused on preparing for her new assignment. Delgado's shipment was arriving at the docks late at night, and he had given her explicit instructions to oversee the transfer, ensuring nothing went wrong. It was clear that this shipment was significant—too significant to risk any mistakes.

Vivian poured over maps of the docks, memorizing entry points and potential escape routes. She and Liam set up a plan: he would be nearby, posing as a dock worker, in case anything went wrong. The two of them rehearsed every possible scenario, covering every detail to ensure the operation went without a hitch.

But as the night of the shipment drew closer, a sense of foreboding settled over Vivian. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong.

The Night of the Shipment

The air was thick with fog as Vivian arrived at the docks. Shadows stretched across the empty containers and abandoned crates, lending an eerie silence to the surroundings. She adjusted her jacket, feeling the weight of her concealed weapon at her side. This was her first solo assignment, and she knew Delgado's eyes were on her.

Liam was positioned across the way, blending into the crew of workers unloading containers. He gave her a subtle nod, a silent reassurance. She took a steadying breath, preparing herself for whatever lay ahead.

As she waited by the assigned container, a dark SUV pulled up, its headlights piercing the fog. A group of men stepped out, their movements sharp and precise. They were clearly professionals, and Vivian guessed they were from Black Lotus's more seasoned crew.

The leader, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, approached her, his eyes scanning her with a mix of curiosity and doubt. "You Delgado's new recruit?"

Vivian held his gaze, her tone steady. "That's right."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Let's hope you can keep up."

Without another word, he motioned to his men, and they began unloading the shipment. Vivian positioned herself strategically, observing the transfer while keeping a close eye on the surroundings. Everything seemed to be running smoothly, until she heard the faint crunch of footsteps behind her.

She turned, her hand instinctively moving to her weapon, only to find Dominic standing a few feet away, his expression one of desperate determination.

"Vivian," he whispered, his eyes darting around. "I need to talk to you."

Panic flared within her, and she quickly glanced toward the crew, making sure none of them had noticed him. She grabbed his arm, pulling him behind a stack of crates.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, her voice low but sharp. "You're going to get us both killed."

Dominic's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear. "I had no choice. They're onto me, Vivian. I can't keep pretending everything is fine. I need out—now."

Vivian's mind raced. She'd known this moment might come, but not here, not tonight. "You need to stay calm. If you bolt now, they'll come after you—and anyone who's helped you. Do you understand that?"

He swallowed hard, his face filled with despair. "I can't do this anymore, Vivian. I thought I could, but... I'm not like you."

Her heart twisted at his words, but she kept her expression firm. "Listen to me. Get out of here. I'll find a way to help you, but not now. Not tonight."

Dominic hesitated, clearly torn. Finally, he nodded, his face filled with resignation. "Alright... but please, Vivian. Don't leave me to face this alone."

"I won't," she promised, though a part of her wondered how long she could keep that promise. She watched him disappear into the shadows, a heavy feeling settling in her chest.

An Unexpected Complication

As she returned to the shipment, Vivian noticed the leader of the crew watching her, suspicion flickering in his eyes. He took a step closer, his gaze sharp and unforgiving.

"Who were you talking to?" he demanded, his voice low but laced with menace.

Vivian forced herself to remain calm. "Just a dock worker. He was asking if we needed help."

The man's gaze didn't waver, and for a moment, she wondered if he'd seen through her lie. But finally, he grunted, apparently satisfied, and turned his attention back to the shipment.

Vivian let out a silent sigh of relief, but her mind was racing. Dominic's unexpected appearance had thrown everything off balance, and she knew she couldn't afford any more distractions.

The rest of the transfer went without incident, but the weight of the night's events lingered in her mind. She'd narrowly avoided disaster, but the risks were mounting. With each passing day, her double life grew more dangerous, and the line between her mission and her own survival was beginning to blur.