Chapter 14- Dangerous Alliance
415 Words
The burner phone burned a hole in her pocket for three days.
Three nights of pacing. Three nights of watching Rex sleep beside her with one hand draped across her thigh like ownership. Three nights of weighing the risk - not of getting caught, but of becoming something she couldn’t undo.
She called on the fourth night. No words. Just one ring…then a click. A man’s voice answered. “Are you ready?”
She didn’t ask how he knew it was her. “Yes,” Faith said. “But I’m not looking to run.”
Pause. “You’re looking to rise.” She didn’t confirm. Didn’t need to.
They met in a cigar bar downtown. Low light. No names.
His name was Miko - sharp suit, sharper smile. Eyes like ink and danger. He didn’t sit too close. Smart. Predators always kept distance until the trap was ready. But Faith wasn’t prey anymore.
“I have access,” she told him. “I know how Rex moves. Who he shields. What he fears.”
Miko raised an eyebrow. “And what do you want?” She didn’t blink.
“Options.” He smiled.
“You’re not loyal to him anymore.”
“No.” she said. “I’m loyal to the crown.” Miko’s grin widened.
“And you think it’ll fit you?”
“It already does,” she said. “I just haven’t worn it in public yet.”
They talked for an hour. No names. No deals. Just a dance around betrayal dressed as business. But Faith left with something important : a number account. An offshore string of digits that meant escape, power, or both - depending on how she played the next hand.
Back at the club, she started building her own network.
Small things. A whisper to Jules. “You ever wonder who’s really watching the cameras?” A warning to Mina: “Don’t take that client. Tell them you’re sick. Trust me.” A drink for Fatima. Stronger than usual. Followed by silence. And then: “If I fall, you’ll be the only one I trust to catch the match.” Fatima didn’t speak. But she didn’t walk away either.
That night, Rex wrapped his arms around her from behind as they looked out at the skyline. “You’ve been quiet,” he said.
“I’ve been thinking,” she replied.
He kissed her shoulder, “About what?” She smiled, soft and terrifying.
“The future.”
- Writer
