Chapter Twelve: Confessions and Departures

"Okay, spill it. What do you have to tell me?" Miles asked, his hands stuffed deep in his pockets as they walked down the quiet street, the chilly night air brushing against them.

Sophie hesitated, her eyes darting ahead. She had been avoiding this conversation, but now, there was no getting around it. "I'm working with some people to take down Carrington," she said, her voice steady despite the weight of the secret. "They caught me recording the conversation I was having with him and said they wanted to assist me in bringing him down because they stand to gain some things from taking him down... although they didn't tell me what it was."

Miles' jaw tightened as he glanced over at her, his pace slowing. "We have allies and you didn't think you were supposed to tell me?"

Sophie winced. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to get you too involved."

Miles' annoyance flared up, his stride becoming longer as he matched her pace. "But I'm already involved! This was my idea. I was the one that told you to start this whole spy mission and now you're saying you didn't want to get me involved?"

Sophie sighed deeply, running a hand through her hair. "I just... I wanted to protect you," she admitted, her voice softer now, as if the words were heavy on her tongue.

"Protect me from what?" Miles shot back, his voice rising slightly. "They're not the enemy. The Carringtons' are. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Sophie bit her lip, but then shook her head. "They seem shady, though. I've never met them. They only deliver gadgets to my location. And they seem to be always watching. I don't know why I don't fully trust them."

"Everyone disappoints," Miles said, shrugging. "But at least they're on our side for the time being. Taking down the Carringtons is our priority. Once we do that, we'll figure out the rest later."

Sophie nodded slowly, still uncertain but relenting. "Yeah, I guess."

Miles gave her a sideways glance. "Just promise me you'll keep me updated on everything you're doing from now on, okay?"

"Okay, I will."

"Promise?" He looked at her pointedly, as if needing the confirmation.

"I promise," Sophie replied, her gaze steady, though a flicker of doubt lingered in her eyes.

Just as the words left her lips, Miles' phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out quickly, his gaze flickering over the screen. "Hey, sorry, I gotta take this. It's Alice."

Sophie raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "So you want to leave me because your girlfriend is calling?"

Miles chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Come on, I know you'll be fine. I'll see you later, okay? Let me know when you get home safe."

Sophie gave him a brief nod. "Sure, I will."

With that, Miles walked a few steps away, pulling his phone up to his ear as he answered the call. Sophie watched him for a moment, the distance between them growing.

She shoved her hands into her jacket pockets and started walking in the direction of her apartment, though her thoughts were elsewhere, swirling in the back of her mind.

Meanwhile, Miles arrived at Alice's house a short while later. As soon as the door opened, Alice was there, throwing her arms around him. He let out a low laugh as she pressed herself up against him, her body warm and inviting. Her hands roamed to the back of his neck, pulling him into a heated kiss before he could even get a word in.

"I've been waiting for you," Alice murmured against his lips, her fingers already working at the buttons of his shirt.

Miles smirked against her mouth. "I see that."

She didn't waste time, guiding him inside and locking the door behind them. They didn't speak much as they moved through the motions, their bodies meeting with an urgency that only grew as the tension between them intensified.

As the clothes came off and their skin pressed against each other, their words became less about passion and more about the lingering thoughts in Miles' mind.

"I can't stand Carrington," Miles said, his breath ragged as he pulled her closer, his hands roaming across her body. "He's the worst, Alice. The absolute worst. Everything about him makes my skin crawl. My sister and I had an argument and it was all his fault. If I find a way to get back at him, believe me, I'll grab that opportunity with open arms."

Alice laughed softly, a teasing sound that only made his frustration rise. "What's the deal with you and Carrington anyway? He's always been a thorn in your side, huh?"

Miles exhaled sharply, his hand cupping her face as he stared down at her, his frustration mixing with the desire in his eyes. "He's worse than just a thorn, Alice. He's dangerous. He's the kind of guy who'd sell you out without thinking twice. If only there was a way to destroy his family company then maybe then he'd learn the right way to relate to people."

Alice nodded, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, good thing you've got me to help you, huh?"

Miles gave a short laugh, still caught in the whirlwind of their interaction. "Yeah, but once we take him down, everything's going to change."

"So what do you have in mind?" Alice asked, "You can't just be hoping for an opportunity to end him to come to you right? You gotta create your opportunities."

"Well, his business is the first thing I'd target if I wanted to take him down. Take away his money and you take away his influence. Without his influence, he'd be vulnerable."

"So that's what you're planning on doing?"

"Well, I've been thinking about it. He sends products from many of his multiple companies to the market. Attacking those should get his attention." Miles said. "I just don't have the means to do it yet though."

"I see." Alice said before detaching herself from Miles.

"What's wrong?" Miles asked.

"Nothing really. I just remembered that I had work in the morning." Alice replied.

"Can't I spend the night with you here?"

"You know I find it hard to wake up on time whenever I'm in your arms. I can't afford to go late again tomorrow. My boss is already on my neck."

"I understand." Miles smiled whilst putting on his clothes. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah you will." Alice said and pecked his cheek before waving him goodbye. When she was sure he was gone, she brought out her phone and made a phone call. After a few minutes, the person picked up.

"Hello." Alice said. "I'm calling because I think I have information on who might be responsible for those Carrington shipments that went missing."