Deadly Affairs

Chapter 15

Vivian awoke the next morning with a heavy sense of foreboding. The events at the docks haunted her mind, especially the brief encounter with Dominic. She knew that his presence last night had been dangerous, and though she'd managed to deflect suspicion, the cover story wouldn't hold up under scrutiny. If Delgado or anyone else in Black Lotus discovered the truth, it would unravel everything.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking her thoughts. She picked it up to see a message from Delgado.

"Meet me in one hour. Don't be late."

A cold shiver ran down her spine. Delgado's messages were rarely so direct, and she could tell he was summoning her for something serious. She quickly dressed, pulling on her usual armor of sleek, professional clothes, hoping it would help her keep her composure.

As she left her apartment, her mind raced through every detail of the night before, wondering what Delgado might have seen, what he might know. She could only hope that her story had held up.

The Meeting

When she arrived at Delgado's office, he was waiting for her behind his desk, his gaze piercing as he watched her enter. Vivian took a seat across from him, keeping her posture calm and collected, though her pulse pounded in her ears.

"Good morning, Delgado," she greeted, keeping her tone steady.

He studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowed. "You did well last night," he said, though there was a note of hesitation in his voice. "The shipment was handled smoothly, and Lancaster was impressed. But there's something... off."

Vivian kept her expression neutral, though her mind was racing. "Off? I'm not sure I understand."

Delgado leaned forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "One of my men saw you talking to someone. A worker, you said. But the way you spoke... it didn't look like just a casual exchange."

Vivian's heart skipped a beat. She fought to keep her voice calm, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "He was asking if we needed help, like I told you. I brushed him off quickly—I didn't think it was worth mentioning."

Delgado's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure? Because if there's something you're hiding, Vivian, now would be the time to tell me. I don't like surprises."

Vivian swallowed, carefully choosing her words. "I'm not hiding anything, Delgado. I'm here to do my job, and I'm committed to Black Lotus. You know that."

He watched her in silence for a moment, the tension stretching between them. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I believe you," he said, though his tone was still edged with suspicion. "But remember this, Vivian—trust in Black Lotus is earned, and it can be lost just as easily. Don't give me a reason to doubt you."

Vivian nodded, relief flooding her chest as she kept her expression steady. "Understood."

Delgado dismissed her with a nod, and she quickly left the room, her hands clenched as she fought to contain the mixture of relief and anxiety swirling within her. She'd passed his test, but she knew Delgado would be watching her more closely than ever.

An Urgent Conversation

Later that day, Vivian met up with Liam in a quiet, secluded park. She filled him in on the conversation with Delgado, her voice barely above a whisper as she recounted the details.

"He knows something's off," she murmured, glancing around to make sure no one was within earshot. "If he finds out about Dominic..."

Liam's expression grew serious. "This is getting dangerous, Vivian. You're already walking a thin line with Black Lotus, and Dominic's involvement is only making it worse."