Page 17 of Logan

Emily felt like a lone figure amidst the sea of faces. Her own life was so divergent from the conventional norms of society. She had never quite fit into the mold of the upstanding citizen, and as she made her way through the city streets, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of detachment from the world around her.

Emily approached the high-end Chinese restaurant with asense of apprehension. Once a place of cherished memories from her childhood, the sight of the golden lanterns adorning the sign only reminded her that her childhood had been a lie.

She pushed open the ornate doors and stepped into the elegant establishment. Emily’s gaze swept over the opulent surroundings, taking in the rich Chinese decor. Intricate tapestries adorned the walls, their vibrant hues complemented by the soft glow of overhead lanterns. They cast a warm, inviting light over the space.

The air was thick with the aroma of exotic spices and sizzling dishes, mingling with the murmurs of conversation and the clinking of silverware against fine china. Emily couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia as memories of family dinners flooded her mind, though now tainted by the lies that had hidden beneath her family’s smiles.

Her attention turned to the servers gliding gracefully between tables, their slim black dresses accentuating their graceful movements as they attended to the needs of the restaurant’s discerning clientele. Each one wore flawless makeup and carried themselves with an air of professionalism that spoke to the establishment’s reputation for impeccable service.

She looked completely out of place in her yoga pants, but nobody would say a thing as her uncle sat in the back at his private table and motioned her to join him.

As Emily took her seat, she couldn’t shake the sense of unease that lingered within her. In this elegant sanctuary of fine dining and sophistication, she found herself grappling with the complexities of her own identity. Her brief conversation with Logan had her questioning everything she thought she knew about the world.

Her uncle wiped his double chin. He was overly fond of his own establishment’s food, and it showed. “Emily, you look well, all things considered.”

“I’m tougher than I look,” she said in a deadpan voice. There was no need to pretend they liked each other anymore. This was her last job.

Uncle Ming motioned to one of the attractive servers. “Jing, get Emily the sweet and sour soup.”

Emily wanted to tell him to go to hell. That soup had been her and her mother’s favorite. “I’m not hungry.”

He almost sneered at her. “You will eat.” His phone rang, and he picked it up and listened for a few seconds before he slapped his hand on the table and began swearing in Chinese. He spoke too quickly for Emily to understand the conversation. Her skills were rudimentary, and after her mother died, her father stopped teaching her his language.

Her family always spoke in English when she was around. They had many opinions about her birth, and they wanted to make sure she understood them.

The waitress brought her the soup, and she took a sip while Ming finished yelling at the person he was speaking with. He slammed the phone down with another curse.

“That was my contact. There is limited information on Dark Industries. I know you have infiltrated that building before, but the security on the top floor is... unconventional.”

“What does that mean?”

“My contact is unsure what it is. There are no worries or outward signs of a security system.”

“Then it is hidden. I have had to find the source on many occasions. What has you so twisted up about this job?”

Ming stared at her. “Dark Industries owns the building. I was unaware of that fact when I sent Mito in. I committed to this job and must complete my obligations.”

Emily had wondered why Ming was willing to let her go. He was in a no-win situation. He likely thought the penthouse at Dark Industries was an easy mark when he made his comment to thebuyer. Now, he had to deliver, and since he already lost his best man, he was willing to sacrifice his best thief. She would complete the mission or die, and he knew it.

“Tell me about the item I am procuring. Perhaps the nature of it will give us some hints about its security measures.”

Ming huffed. “There is nothing else like it in the world. Nobody can figure out how it was created.”

“What is it?”

“A purple pearl.”

Emily frowned. “A freshwater pearl is hardly rare. They come in a variety of colors.”

“This is not a freshwater pearl. It looks like one, but it is the size of a small orange, and the exterior seems... alive.”

“What?”

“The light within swirls and moves. I saw it but I can’t accurately describe it. Some believe it’s some kind of egg.”

“Then it isn’t a real jewel.”

Ming leaned forward. “I don’t give a fuck if it is real. The buyer believes it is and will pay one billion dollars for it. You do this, and you are out. That is the agreement.”

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