Deadly Affairs

Chapter 17

Vivian's heart sank as she read the message from Delgado: "Meet me at midnight at the warehouse. We have work to do."

She had been trying to keep a low profile, doing everything she could to rebuild Delgado's trust, but she sensed this assignment was going to be different. There was a weight to his words that made her blood run cold. Delgado wasn't just giving her an assignment—he was preparing her for a test, one she knew could easily go wrong.

As midnight approached, Vivian dressed carefully, choosing dark clothing and sturdy boots, her mind racing as she considered every possible scenario. She knew she had to be prepared for anything. Delgado was suspicious, and any sign of hesitation could be seen as betrayal.

The Warehouse

When she arrived at the warehouse, Delgado was already there, along with two men she recognized as enforcers from Black Lotus. They were rough, unsmiling, their eyes dark with unspoken violence. Vivian knew their type well—men loyal to Delgado, who followed orders without question.

Delgado greeted her with a cold smile. "Glad you could make it, Vivian," he said, his voice laced with false warmth. "Tonight, we're dealing with a... liability."

She kept her face neutral, though her stomach churned. A "liability" meant someone who had crossed Black Lotus in some way. It was code for a target, a person Delgado had decided was too dangerous to keep alive.

The enforcers led a man into the room, his hands bound and his face bruised. He looked terrified, his eyes darting around as if searching for a way out. Vivian recognized him as an accountant who had worked with Black Lotus, someone who had probably seen too much.

Delgado turned to her, his expression darkening. "This man has become a problem. He thought he could talk to the authorities, maybe make a deal to save his skin. I can't have that kind of weakness in our operation. And I need to know that I can trust you to take care of it."

Vivian felt her pulse race as Delgado's meaning became clear. He was asking her to kill this man. It was a brutal test, one designed to push her loyalty to its limits. If she refused, Delgado would know she wasn't fully committed. But if she went through with it, she would be crossing a line she wasn't sure she could come back from.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself as she approached the man. His eyes locked onto hers, a mix of fear and desperation shining in them. She could see that he was pleading for mercy, but she knew there was none to be found here.

"Vivian," Delgado's voice cut through the silence, calm yet commanding. "We're waiting."

Her mind raced, weighing her options. If she hesitated now, Delgado would know something was wrong. But if she went through with it, she'd be proving herself to Black Lotus in a way that would only deepen her involvement, pulling her further into their world.

Vivian reached for the gun Delgado had handed her, feeling the cold weight of it in her hands. She raised it, aiming at the man's chest, her heart pounding as she tried to steel herself for what she was about to do.

But just as she was about to pull the trigger, a thought struck her—one that gave her a dangerous idea.

She shifted her aim slightly, firing a shot that grazed the man's shoulder instead of hitting a vital spot. He crumpled to the ground, groaning in pain, but still alive. She quickly turned to Delgado, masking her true intentions with a steady expression.

"Consider it done," she said, her voice firm. "He's out of commission."

Delgado's gaze narrowed as he studied her, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, she thought he might question her decision, that he'd see through her calculated move. But then he gave a slow nod, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.