Chapter 9

As Letty readied herself, her brain ran through different possibilities. What if Jaime had already informed Cilghal? What if they were stepping into a trap? Though she couldn't succumb to anxiety - their objective still required unwavering concentration.

"Okay," Letty declared confidently, "We'll rendezvous with Jaime tomorrow at eight in the evening. Although we will be nearby, I intend to approach him solo. On the off chance that things don't go according to plan, both of you should remain inconspicuous and provide backup if necessary."

"It's dangerous, Letty," protested Mia. "What if he attempts to turn against you?"

Letty's unwavering determination was evident as she asserted, "I possess the necessary skills to handle myself. Giving in to fear should not influence our actions; instead, we must seize this opportunity to bring down Cilghal."

Gazing at her intently, Carlos' demeanor turned grave. "Keep in mind that if anything seems amiss, don't think twice about stepping away. Your well-being is the utmost concern."

Giselle affirmed, with a resolute gaze. "We've got your back, Letty. If you require any assistance, just let us know."

Despite completing their preparations, Letty couldn't rid herself of the sense that an ominous fate was approaching. The night dragged on with a palpable unease in the air as they attempted to rest, fully aware that tomorrow held great significance.

As the morning dawned, Letty arose with a fresh determination. She collected her equipment and psyching herself up to face the conflict ahead. It was imperative that she remain resolute not only for her own sake but also for Mia, Giselle, and Carlos who were relying on her unwavering strength.

As the sun began to descend, painting a flaming hue over the horizon, Letty's day of restless waiting finally came to an end. With her jacket on and weapon checked, she felt a rush of adrenaline as she readied herself for departure.

"See you both at the meeting place," she stated, sharing significant looks with Mia and Giselle.

"Giselle expressed her concern, urging me to stay safe," she said.

Letty nodded, then ventured into the dark night with her heart racing in her chest. She kept a focused mind while making her way through the streets towards a dilapidated warehouse by the docks - notorious for its use as an undercover site of illegal transactions.

Letty's instincts sprang to life upon reaching the warehouse. The surroundings were eerily silent, signaling potential danger. She scanned her environment meticulously, keeping an eye out for any warning signs. Sinister shadows loomed ominously in the background, instilling a sense of doubt within her being.

She inhales deeply and nudges open the rusty door before entering. The warehouse lacks illumination, with towering stacks of crates casting murky shadows in every nook. Letty treads cautiously, her awareness on high alert.

"Jaime?" she shouted, her voice reverberating through the expansive area.

Stepping out of the darkness, a mysterious individual with an unreadable countenance appeared. "Hello Letty," Jaime spoke nonchalantly yet warily. "I'm pleased to see you could attend."

"Cut to the chase," responded Letty firmly. "What information do you have on Cilghal's intentions?"

Letty detected an underlying tension behind Jaime's disarming smile. "Without some assurance, I am unable to provide you with that information just like that," he said.

Letty asked, attempting to maintain a composed tone, "What is it that you desire?"

Jaime's demeanor shifted as he spoke, emphasizing the scarcity of trust within their profession. "It is imperative that I am certain you can be counted upon," he stated firmly. Bearing in mind Cilghal's monitoring presence, any indication of collaboration between them could result in dire consequences for both parties involved."

Feeling the gravity of the situation, Letty squinted her eyes and demanded to know where their allegiance lay. "Do you stand with us or against us?" she asked pointedly.

Looking around cautiously, Jaime appeared as if he anticipated someone to suddenly appear from the shadows. "I'm not against you, Letty. However, self-preservation is necessary for me," he explained with hesitation in his tone. Cilghal had a vast network of spies and informants; every action would be scrutinized closely by him and raising any suspicions while working counter to him was perilous."

Letty's patience was wearing thin as she forcefully expressed, "Jaime, stop playing games! There isn't any time to waste. If you possess information regarding this matter, spill the beans now."

The distant echo of footsteps made Letty's heart race as she sensed that something was amiss. "We must depart immediately," she declared urgently.

She was about to turn and flee when the warehouse door suddenly flew open, revealing a group of men rushing in - specifically, Cilghal's associates under the leadership of Fernando.

"Do you think you could deceive Cilghal, Jaime?" Fernando sneered as his malicious eyes sparkled. "Did you really believe that playing both sides would let you get away with it?"

As soon as Letty realized that they had walked into a trap, her heart sank. She cried out Jaime's name in distress but it was already too late.

As chaos erupted in the room and men charged towards them, Letty's training kicked in as she instinctively reached for her Glock. Her adrenaline surged through her veins as she fired at the thug closest to her.

"Come down!" she yelled at Jaime, who appeared to be motionless.

He stammered, ""Letty,—", but his betrayal went unnoticed as Letty had no time to comprehend it.

"Get going!" she yelled, taking cover behind a pile of crates while projectiles whistled by her. The warehouse reverberated with a symphony of gunshots and cries, leaving Letty frantically trying to survive.

Her eyes caught a glimpse of an alternate exit and she sprinted towards it, anxiety pulsing through her veins. Her mission was to flee the scene and alert Mia and Giselle before they were ensnared in this chaos.

Letty broke through the door and stepped into the refreshing night breeze. With a wave of resolve flowing within her, she vowed not to let Cilghal's men apprehend her. She would counterattack and shield those dear to her heart.

As her heart raced and chaos resounded behind, Letty dashed into the obscurity with a steadfast determination to confront whatever lay ahead. Even though the fight was ongoing, she refused to give up. Possessing survivor instincts, she vowed to go through any hurdle until Cilghal's downfall became certain for once and all.