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Chapter 106: Lumen
Last Updated:
2022-11-24 14:12:48
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Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 107: Max
Friday. Bluhm Family Home, Malibu, CA.MAX DIDN'T THINK HE'D even gotten a word out before Lumen had whirled around and left him standing on the beach alone.Unfortunately, she was still looking at him like he'd just set her blankie on fire.Did she still have that thing?He shut the door to the rental and lifted a hand, hoping like hell it translated as I-come-in-peace.Lumen didn't return the gesture. She stood on the brick walkway leading up to the extravagant Malibu house like a sculpture. The property backed up to the golf course with the water a short walk away. He'd noted five cameras while he was sitting in the car, working up the nerve to go to the door.What kind of people did she work for?Max straightened his shoulders and headed for Lumen. It was an awkward walk of silence, but it wasn't like he'd expected a pleasant reception. He slowed his pace as he closed in on the last five feet."Hi," he said, for lack of a better way to break the ice."Hi?" she
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 108: Lumen
Friday. Bluhm Family Home, Malibu, CA.LUMEN HATED HAVING THE police in the house. Nabanita had done everything in her power to maintain as normal a routine as possible. The children were too little to understand, and it wasn't like there was anyone besides Lumen and Nabanita to take care of them while the police asked their questions. One small win was that Bethany had stopped by to pick something up and switched into damage control mode. But even with her there they all had their hands full.Except Max.Lumen glanced out the window despite her vow to stop looking.Nabanita's two oldest were out in the sandbox with Max. He had such an animated, warm face as he reacted to something the kids were saying. He'd kept them both distracted all while the cops did their part.This had been planned. They'd picked a day when the house was short one person, while William was at work and coordinated with the construction business working next door to make this happen. Of course, both
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 109: Blair
Friday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.BLAIR RIVER PACED THE cramped space. She'd lived in this room most of her life. She'd watched powerful men get what and who they wanted from peering out her door. She'd learned about power and status all from these four walls. And she'd figured out what she wanted in life.It was a hell of a lot more than what her self-righteous father allotted her, that was for damn certain.She checked her phone again for an update.It was important for her to be in Brazil right now so that her alibi was secure. While she spent as little time as possible at the sanctuary, she still paid her pathetic excuse for a father a few visits throughout the year. If she didn't, she risked being forgotten or angering him. Neither were great options.Why anyone thought he was some sort of enlightened figure was beyond her.Then again, those people hadn't grown up watching him behind closed doors.Her mind slid sideways, away from those thoughts.Unlike
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 110: Max
Sunday. Bistro Cool, Los Angeles, CA.MAX PEERED AROUND AT the restaurant Lumen had suggested. He was glad to see it wasn't like the excessively trendy places he'd stumbled on so far during his stay in LA. He was used to rich people and flashy, but Europeans were different from Americans. It was hard coming back to this faster paced lifestyle. The tension slowly coiling tighter inside of him didn't help either.He checked his phone, still expecting to see a message from Lumen about pushing back their meeting. It hadn't surprised him that she'd been busy yesterday. He still had no idea why anyone would attack the family of a soap star. And though Lumen had told him to Google the story for himself, he hadn't wanted to fill his head with the sensationalized version he'd no doubt get from some website. Besides, maybe the less he knew, the better.The reason he'd moved to the Mediterranean was about a slower pace of life, less stress, less pressure to be perfect and achieve it all.
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 111: Lumen
Sunday. Bistro Cool, Los Angeles, CA.LUMEN TOOK A SIP of her drink and glanced about for the waiter. She still could not believe that she was sitting at a table with Max, of all people."Thanks for meeting me," he said as though he were reading her mind. "I know I didn't deserve you giving me the time of day."She winced and set her glass down, surprised his statement cut so deep. "It's not that...""Lulu?" He leaned his elbows on the table and smiled at her.Why did he have to look so good?The wind ruffled his hair, and he had smile lines around his mouth now instead of the deep scowl creases she was used to.He looked...Happy.She'd never made him look like that."Let's be real?" he said, continuing despite her internal thoughts. "I didn't know how to be the husband you deserved. And I wound up hurting you. A lot. I'm sorry. I don't expect forgiveness or anything. I just... I thought you deserved to hear that from me."She swallowed, but it did nothing to
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 112: Aspen, Blair
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.ASPEN PEERED UP AND down the hall. Most people were at the dinner chat, where she should be. No doubt someone in the family would realize she was missing. Tonight she'd make use of one of her carefully crafted excuses.She just could not take listening to that disgusting man drone on.The house was utterly silent.She padded down the hall on bare feet, keeping close to the wall so that if anyone passed by below her, they wouldn't catch a glimpse of her over the railing.This house was utterly ridiculous. It resembled a hotel more than a home with the way rooms stacked up in a pyramid to the top-most suit.Her lip curled just thinking about that room.Aspen grasped the door handle of her brother's room and twisted. It gave way easily, and she slipped inside.Buzz whirled to face her, eyes wide in surprise."It's just me," she whispered."Oh, my God." He flopped backward on the narrow bed, arms draping off the side dramatic
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 113: Max
Monday. Bluhm's Home, Malibu, CA.MAX'S HANDS WERE SWEATING as he walked up the path to the Bluhm's house. This time he'd done his own research after what Lumen had told him. He couldn't believe he'd actually just walked up to this place the other day. While William had been slightly familiar, it was because of his cameo appearance in one of those Sharknado like movies. The guy was basically the most in demand daytime actor. There were plenty of rumors that he'd been hand-picked for a few movies, but had declined them because he didn't want to uproot his family for months at a time.Then throw in Nabanita?Out of curiosity, Max had pulled up footage of the fateful morning the two had met. And Lumen had been right. It was obvious the two had connected there in front of the camera. Other than a few appearances, Nabanita seemed to lead a more private life.He'd downloaded her book and skimmed about half of it. The writing was poignant yet factual. He didn't understand how it ha
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 114: Lumen
Sunday. Bluhm's Home, Malibu, CA.IT WASN'T EVEN ONE and Lumen was already emotionally exhausted.She'd been nervous about Max coming over, and yet part of her weirdly wanted to see him. She'd lain awake last night thinking through his list and everything he'd said over lunch. Her resentment was gone. She'd known back then he was in his own spiral sucking her down with him. The whole time she'd simply wanted to be a priority to him instead of another building block to his perfect life.Now?Seeing how he'd changed?She was happy for him. But it also highlighted the ways in which she'd ignored her own wounds. In a way, he'd moved beyond her in the healing process and now here she was, always behind."Penny for your thoughts?" Nabanita asked.Lumen glanced at her.They didn't have the normal bodyguard-client relationship. She did try her best to maintain those boundaries, but Nabanita saw each person under her roof as family. There was no fighting it."I was just thi
Last Updated : 2022-11-24
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Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 154: Epilogue.
Three months later. Ibiza.THEY SHOULD HAVE ELOPED.Lumen was ready to throw the silly bouquets into the water, scream at the top of her lungs and jump off the cliff herself. Alone.Jennifer appeared almost instantly. "Have a drink, you look stressed."Lumen considered the beverage. She'd meant to abstain from anything that might make her the least bit emotional until after the wedding, but right now it was just what the doctor ordered. She took the glass and downed the contents in two gulps."Way to chug," Jennifer snickered.Lumen thrust the glass back at her. "You. Shut it."Prudence burst in through the curtain, one sheer panel sticking to her bun of braids.Lumen jumped, startled by the sudden appearance. "Shit, what?""It happened," Prudence blurted.Lumen pressed her hand to her chest. "What happened? What now? Fucking hell, people. This is a wedding not... I don't know. What?"Prudence cringed. "I should have thought about this. You might not want to hear before th
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 153: Max
Sunday. Hotel, Boa Vista, Brazil.MAX WAS WAITING WITH a plate the moment Lumen appeared. Jennifer and Prudence both glared at him, but he managed to get Lumen's attention and steer her into the bedroom where their things had been left. He could tell that Lumen was exhausted and in more pain than she wanted to admit. Besides, she'd never been much for messy emotions and she'd already told him he loved her today. That alone would leave Lumen wanting to avoid groups."Oh, thank you." She settled on the edge of the bed and grimaced."You seemed to be kind of done."Lumen chuckled. "You still know me so well."Max offered her the sandwich. He wished he could give her more, but it was what was on hand for now.The desire to touch her was driving him crazy, but he didn't dare. Instead he retreated to the one arm chair in the room and sat at a safe distance. She might have forgiven him for today, but he kept replaying it and all the moments he should have acted differently.Maybe he
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 152: Lumen
Sunday. Hospital, Boa Vista, Brazil.LUMEN WASN'T SURE WHAT she liked the least, the pain or the way all the drugs made it feel as though she were moving through quicksand. Or that gel stuff the kids liked playing with.She sighed, only to be reminded that her ribs were. Not broken, so that was a relief. The fractures were tiny, hairline cracks, so in the scope of things it was nearly a best case situation. Didn't change the fact that right now she hurt like hell.A nurse with kind eyes stepped behind the curtain. She'd been working double time considering her grasp of English was the best of those currently working. "The doctor says you're good to go.""Thanks. Thank you. For everything. You've been a great help.""I chose the right time to come home, didn't I?" The nurse chuckled. "Do you want me to let your husband come back?"Husband.Lumen swallowed.In the confusion of arriving at the hospital, it had been easy to just let people draw the conclusion. Now, after Lumen ha
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 151: Lumen, Blair, Max
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN FELT AS THOUGH she were being grilled alive lying in the bed of the pickup with the afternoon sun baking her. Her shoulder throbbed and if she breathed too deeply her ribs hurt. She didn't think they were broken. Fractured or bruised, but not broken. That was good.Thomas spat curses as he wrestled with the newly flat tire."Hurry up," Blair demanded.Lumen winced.That wasn't going to go over well."What did you say to me?" Thomas said in a dangerous tone.There was a heavy thud.Lumen imagined Thomas dropping the tire iron as he rose to direct his wrath at a new target."They're going to find us. We need to get clear of here," Blair said."What the fuck do you think I'm doing?""God, I never should have listened to you.""If it weren't for me, you'd be locked in your daddy's pleasure palace waiting on him to stick you with a needle and turn you into a good little daughter.""Shut up!" Blair roared. "Why don'
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 150: Max
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.THE DRAMA AT THE front gate dragged on.Max ground his teeth.They couldn't take off down the road without raising questions. They were stuck here, with all eyes on them, until someone made a move.He prayed Lumen was safe, that she could last a little longer."Canteens are full," Prudence said from the back of the SUV."Did we find sunblock? These meat heads won't think about that until it's too late," Jennifer said."Yeah, there's some." Prudence shifted behind Max. "Everything's ready. How's it looking out there?""The same," Vito replied. It was pretty much the only thing he'd said since indicating he would be going with them on this adventure.That left Brett and three other Aegis Group guys to guard Nabanita and her family. Those weren't great numbers given the situation, but Max was willing to believe they could hold their own."Have we heard from Zain?" Max asked."Nothing yet," Prudence replied.Max pulled ou
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 149: Lumen
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN SAT ON THE bottom bunk watching the only door to the room, but it was still shut.Had Blair really not realized her phone was missing? Was something else going on?"Breakfast should have come by now," Buzz said for at least the fifth time, if not more. "Something's not right."That last bit was new.She turned her head and watched him pacing, eyes on the door like hers."Hey?" she said. "It's going to be okay.""You don't know that.""I do."She still hadn't told him what she'd done, though he'd seen. He had to have seen.He kept pacing, not listening to her at all.Poor kid, he'd been locked up for over a week from the sound of things. She doubted he'd had a lot of company."What's their reasoning keeping you locked up like this?" she asked to get him out of his own head."I don't know," Buzz said."Okay, well, what have they said? What do you know?""Nothing. I know nothing, okay?""I see."He sighed
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 148: Max, Blair
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.MAX SAT IN THE backseat of another SUV and watched as Nabanita and William once more tried to reason with the idiots at the gate.This time, however, there hadn't been just an attendant at the gate. They'd been met with four armed men who appeared to be from Sonny's personal guard. Just how many of them were there? A truck was parked in front of the entrance. There was no way to easily drive in.This was all Zain's plan.Max didn't pretend to understand the maneuvers, only that they were testing the waters today. Dangling Nabanita and William as a decoy was their aim."Think they've brought up the book?" Jennifer asked."If I were them I'd be sweating bullets," Prudence muttered.Orion glanced back and caught Max's eye.He looked away quickly. The last thing he wanted to do right now was talk."Notice anything off that we might not?" Orion asked.Max sighed and looked back at the gate. "Thomas isn't out there this time. H
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 147: Lumen
Sunday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.LUMEN LAY ON THE top bunk staring at the ceiling. Buzz had fallen asleep again finally.They'd spent most of the night doing that. Talking, drifting off into silence and sleeping a bit. Eventually one of them would wake up, then the other and it began again.He'd seemed to understand without her needing to say it that there were some things they just couldn't talk about.Buzz was a perceptive kid.Like his sister.It killed Lumen that they needed to be this grown up.Kids should get to be kids.She prayed Max and Aspen were safe, that they'd gotten to the others and were hatching some mad scheme. Lumen had no doubt that the girls wouldn't rest until she was sprung from this prison. Unlike Jennifer, Lumen knew the lengths her coworkers and friends would go to for one of their own. She'd never doubted the resolve of those she worked with. Aegis Group had become her family in a way.The real question was, how long would it tak
Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies Chapter 146: Max
Sunday. Safe House, Boa Vista, Brazil.THE GRAY DAWN BROKE on the horizon as Max and the others rolled through the front gate of the safe house. He eyed the surveillance men. They were mostly the same ones he'd seen before he'd left. Still the battle hardened faces of men who knew what they were doing.Which meant it was Sonny keeping an eye on them and bypassing Thomas.Max hadn't seen it until the very end, but there was a dividing line between Thomas and Sonny. The two didn't always know what the other was doing.Fuck all of them.Vito pulled the SUV into the garage where they could safely unload. They needed to keep Max and Aspen's whereabouts under wraps for as long as possible.It had taken them hours to land and get back. More time than he'd have thought necessary. All of which meant that Lumen was still back there. Alone. Going through who knew what.Max stuffed all the frustration down inside of him as he opened the SUV door and helped Aspen out. She'd held he
