Chapter 8 - The Empty Chamber
Dana sobbed hysterically on the concrete floor, desperately begging Emily to spare her young life.
Emily looked down at the heavy revolver, feeling the absolute, crushing weight of the terrible choice in her hands.
She had done terrible, desperate things to survive poverty, but she was not a cold-blooded, ruthless murderer.
Leo stood perfectly still beside her, watching her internal struggle with a terrifying, predatory intensity.
He leaned in close and whispered that hesitation would absolutely get both her and her sick mother killed tonight.
Emily slowly raised the heavy gun, aiming the barrel directly at Dana’s trembling, tear-streaked head.
She closed her eyes tightly, took a shuddering breath, and forcefully pulled the heavy trigger.
A loud, hollow, metallic click echoed loudly through the silent, cavernous warehouse.
The chamber of the revolver was completely empty.
Leo threw his head back and laughed loudly, a cruel, echoing sound that bounced off the metal walls.
He gently took the empty gun from her shaking hands and patronizingly patted her on the cheek.
He told her it was only a psychological test to see if she actually had the nerve to follow a direct, lethal order.
He casually signaled his men to cut Dana loose and throw the terrified girl back out onto the freezing street.
Leo poured two tall shots of cheap liquor and handed one to Emily, toasting to her official initiation into his inner circle.
He excitedly revealed his master plan to assassinate Vincent tomorrow night at the syndicate's highly publicized annual charity gala.
Emily pretended to drink the burning liquor, her mind frantically memorizing every single detail of the plot to report back to Vincent.
She finally possessed the ultimate, undeniable leverage to secure her mother’s salvation.
Leo dismissed her for the night, strictly warning her not to be late for the bloody gala.
Emily walked out of the warehouse, breathing the cold night air with absolute, overwhelming relief.
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But as she pulled her new secure phone out to warn Vincent, the black screen lit up with an unknown text message.
The ominous message simply read, "I know you are currently playing both sides, Emily."
