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Chapter 11: Riley, Mark
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 12: Riley
SATURDAY. AEGIS GROUP SAFE HOUSE, ERBIL, KURDISTAN."GRANT? GRANT, TALK TO me." Riley turned, always heading north and west, away from the safe house."What's going on?" Erin sucked down oxygen."I don't know." He wanted to turn back. To help his team. But his job was keeping Erin safe. The only reason someone might have attacked them was for her. Going back would mean endangering everyone.Riley pulled his phone out of his pocket and jabbed at the screen. The Bluetooth chirruped, signaling it was connected."Call Zain," he snapped."Cameras are still down," Zain said after no more than half a ring."Someone just hit the safe house. I made it out with Erin, but I don't know about the others." Riley tightened his grip on the wheel.Erin came first."On it. How many?" Zain's tone changed, his words clipped."I saw four," Erin said."Thugs? Military? What?""Private contractors. Black body armor, the works." The image of those men would be burned into Riley's he
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 13: Riley
Riley tossed the phone on the bed and let go of Erin. He undid the Velcro holding his vest on and shed it, grateful for the cool air. Erin turned away from him and paced toward the tinted, floor to ceiling windows, worry following her like a shadow. The borrowed dress swirled around her feet, making her seem to float.He crossed the room to stand next to her, staring out over a park in the heart of Erbil."We're going to figure this out," he said."How?" She glanced at him. "Whoever these people are, they're organized. They have equipment and tools. What did I do to piss them off? If this was directly related to NexGen, wouldn't there have been something else? An attack on them? Other employees?""Zain will find out.""You think?""I know." Riley snorted. "I'm glad he's on our team because that bastard can uncover shadows under a rock. If there's something to find, he'll have it for us. Just give him time.""How'd you get into this line of work?" Erin nodded, but the weig
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 14: Mark, Erin
SATURDAY, MARK FOREST RESIDENCE, ERBIL, KURDISTAN.MARK PACED HIS LIVING room and stripped off gear.Everyone had reported in. All his men were out of the danger zone. Thomas was, possibly, still imbedded with the targets where he was supposed to be. How long would that last?This was supposed to have been taken care of already.He'd given those desert dwellers the tools. He'd cleared the way for them to get in and out without getting caught. He'd done everything except pull the damn trigger. How hard was it to kill one woman?They needed another plan. Some way to trap her and end this before things got out of hand. If she left Kurdistan, it would be harder to get to her, not to mention his team would grow more desperate to protect themselves.He could cut them all loose and offer a bonus to the person who brought him Erin Lopez's head. The problem there was, what would it do to future business? One or two incidents the government could cover up, but more than that and t
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 15: Erin
"I still am. That's different." Erin glanced at him, her gaze locking on his bare chest. She was a sucker for a six pack in cans or flesh. Something about those little ridges of muscle did it for her in a way that didn't make sense."How's it different?""Because... Those people were hurt because I didn't make people listen, and now they're involved in something someone wants to cover up. I need to get to the bottom of this before anyone else is hurt, and then..." She shrugged."You want to do something else?""Maybe? I mean, I'm missing out on my nieces and nephews growing up. My parents growing old. And for what? A job? I'm not sure it's worth it, in the big picture. Anyone who knows the language can work with the locals. There are people here who could do my job, maybe better than I can, so why not let them?""That's a good question," Riley said. "Is that what you were lying awake thinking about? Work?" he asked."Sort of." She wasn't ready to reveal her weaknesses to hi
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 16: Erin
SATURDAY, ERBIL ROTANA, ERBIL, KURDISTAN.ERIN PUT HER HEAD on Riley's shoulder.His comfort made the soul eating misery worse. At every turn he'd been there for her, even when he shouldn't have. He'd broken rules for her, shown her kindness without pity. He was her sweaty, dirty hero."What's wrong? Tell me how to fix it." He stroked her face, his fingers drying her tears.How did she tell him everything she'd said about herself was a lie? That she'd bought into this idea she could do it all, be a one-woman army, and she couldn't. There was no one to blame but herself. She'd chosen this path."You can't help me. Not really." She sat up, putting a little distance between them."Try me. Come on." He tugged on her hair.Riley was one of the good ones. But what she needed he couldn't give her. "I should just try to get some sleep," she muttered."No, talk to me." He wrapped some hair around his finger that simple action holding her hostage.She swallowed.The kind o
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 17: Erin
Erin was a goner.Riley wrapped his arms around her, picked her up. Erin yelped, but he moved too fast. One moment she was sitting on his lap, the next she was on her back, laid out on the lounge. He grinned down at her, far too pleased with himself. Her heart did a painful somersault. She couldn't even tell herself to lower her expectations because she already knew he wasn't a selfish lover.He dipped his head, their noses bumping before he kissed her mouth. She curled her arms around his shoulders. His hand slid past the waistband of her yoga pants and into her panties. She groaned, already acquainted with his talented fingers. He cupped her mound, stroking her folds. She groaned and lifted her hips, but he kept the contact gentle.Erin's body was too hot, her insides twisted up with need. If she didn't come soon, she'd burst. Riley clearly had a slower pace in mind, but she couldn't handle that. Not right now. She was too raw.She slid her hands down his chest, but the farth
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 18: Mark, Riley
SATURDAY. ERBIL, KURDISTAN.MARK TOSSED HIS HELMET down into the floor board. Hours of driving aimlessly were doing nothing but burning fuel. He needed a solution. The bitch couldn't have vanished. People didn't teleport. She was in Erbil somewhere and he'd find her.He glanced at the time.It could be worth trying again.He pulled into a parking lot and scrolled back down through his contacts. Over the years he'd cultivated favors from a lot of people for a variety of reasons. Even if it was to just have someone in his debt. Out here, a favor could go a long way at the right moment.Kurdistan was different from the world surrounding it. It was heavily guarded, and the military took even the most routine check-point sweep seriously. Which meant there was a real-time record of when people crossed the city and where they were going. Getting access to that data was near impossible. Without the right connection.Mark pressed dial once more and listened to the phone ring.H
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 19: Thomas
SUNDAY, BEST INN, ERBIL, KURDISTAN.THOMAS EYED HIS CARDS and then the pile of money sitting in the middle of the table. It wasn't much, mostly some coins and a few bills, but it was the biggest pot they'd had all morning."Come on, you guys aren't really going to let me take this?" Vaughn thumbed at the pot of money."You don't have shit," Nolan said without missing a beat."You don't know that." Vaughn grinned.Thomas was ready to put a bullet in both men's skulls. Their constant banter grated on his nerves. They wouldn't stop talking, and yet they never said anything useful. Nothing at all about what they were doing to find Erin Lopez or what their next move was beyond lying low at the hotel.For all he knew, the fifth team member had absconded with Erin and was out of the country already, which would mean they knew where Thomas' loyalty lay and what he'd been doing here all along.He eased back in his chair, slouching a bit, as though he could fall under their rada
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 258: Epilogue.
Three Months Later. Aegis Group Offices, Seattle, Washington.MELODY PLACED HER SERVICE weapon in the case and clicked the lid shut. This was the real moment for her when she got to switch off from a job. Used to it was when they turned a newly rescued asset over to whoever had paid to have them rescued, be that family, coworkers or other loved ones. However, after Ibiza everything had changed.She smiled at the newly hired munitions clerk and slid the case over. Unlike the guys she didn't feel the need to keep her weapons at home."I'm done with this. Thanks," she said."There's the sharp shooter," Vaughn said coming into the small room, Nolan and Riley bringing up the rear.Melody flushed and inwardly preened. That had been a rather exceptional shot there at the end."It was just a shot." She rolled her eyes and leaned an elbow on the counter as the guys all requested their own secure cases. "What are you three doing?""Carla's birthday," Vaughn said as if that expla
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 257: Melody, Grant
Tuesday. Forgery Front, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY WANTED NOTHING MORE than to let Grant take over. He was good at that. It was kind of his thing. But she knew he wasn't on Ethan's side. No one was. They didn't understand him. Not that she did either, but after spending a few days around him she had some insight to the man, he'd become.But first...She took Grant's face in her hands and pulled him down for a quick, hard kiss."I missed you," she whispered."You're safe." He squeezed her.She nodded then let go of him and turned her attention on Ethan.The man had taken two central mass bullets. He needed a damn doctor.She grabbed Grant's hand. No matter what came next, she wanted him by her side. She marched across the small space to where Ethan leaned on the only still-standing desk. Nolan had his gun trained on Ethan while a man she didn't recognize spoke to him."Who are you?" She stepped between Ethan and the newcomer. "Why aren't you getting him a doctor?"
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 256: Melody, Grant
Tuesday. Forgery Front, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY STOOD FROZEN TO the spot, the visual of the crackling electricity up lighting the faces of Ethan and Liman burned into her mind. It was like something out of an action movie.Ethan hauled back and rammed the bathroom door with his shoulder. He roared his rage.Liman was trapped. There was no way out of that bathroom. Eventually Ethan would get in or Liman would have to come out. Either way, it was going to be an explosive conflict.This was her chance to get out of here. The back door was unlocked. She could slip out and be gone. Call the cops, Grant, anyone more capable to deal with this. And yet she remained rooted to the spot, unable and maybe a little unwilling to move.They'd already left Ethan once and look where that got him.Ethan planted his back against the wall and kicked. She heard the pop of hinges. Another kick and the door clattered to the floor. Her stomach clenched. Ethan shoved off the wall, only to be h
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 255: Grant, Liman
Tuesday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.GRANT PUSHED UP OFF the cot. Some thoughtful person had brought four of them into the ops room at some point. He'd actually managed half an hour of sleep. It was better than he'd gotten trying to crash back in his room. Something about being near the constant buzz of activity helped ease his mind.He stretched, paying attention to the twinges of muscle protesting. The soreness was worse now post-crash.How was Melody feeling? Did she have any injuries?Watching the video, the ambulance had more or less driven off the road and tipped over. With any luck she wasn't badly injured.Grant gave Marco and Luke a wide berth. Both men had chewed his ass out for potentially risking Hannah and running into a situation by himself. Grant wasn't keen on rehashing that. Instead headed for the computer in the corner where Ghost had set himself up. Most people avoided him, which was fine for Grant. He didn't have to like the guy to use
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 254: Liman, Melody
Tuesday. Hotel, Chicago, Illinois.LIMAN LAID OUT EVERYTHING he'd spent the last thirty-six hours gathering. When he'd left their safe house he'd wanted to take supplies with him, but didn't dare beyond some cash. All he'd had was what he was wearing, some jewelry and a couple things he knew he could hawk at the pawn shop around the corner.It had taken some work hustling the goods he had, turning them into more profitable items, but he had a couple thousand in US dollars, three new to him guns and a small collection of ammunition, and if all went as planned, in another day he'd have a passport that would grant him an escape from this dammed country.He knew he couldn't go home. That bridge was burned. As soon as his government learned about the utter disaster, they'd want to bring him in for questioning. It wouldn't end in a simple debrief. There were no answers he could give his superiors that they'd accept. The only true end would be Liman's death.He had no intention of
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 253: Melody, Grant
Tuesday. Unknown.MELODY'S TOES HURT.That was her first coherent thought as her mind rose from the groggy sleep of the dead. She remained exactly where she was, as if even her subconscious was aware that there was a predator nearby.The handcuff secured to her left wrist bit into her skin and her fingers were numb, no doubt from the way she'd been laying.She strained to listen harder. There was no sound of traffic or horns. She couldn't even hear someone walking around, the whish of fabric or the soft sounds of someone breathing.If she didn't know better, she'd think she was alone.What did she smell?The air was musty and she recalled a vague memory from last night that included a sneezing fit."I know you're awake," a man said slowly.He was so close his voice seemed to rumble across her skin.Melody sucked in a breath and her eyes popped open.Ethan sat next to the bed, his clasped hands resting on the edge of the mattress. He was watching her."Jesus."
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 252: Grant
Monday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.GRANT KEPT STARING AT the map, as if it would suddenly reveal where Melody was. He knew it wouldn't, but as the hours ticked by his hope was beginning to wane. Eventually they'd get a lead. They always did. But would it be too late for Melody?"I know who he is," Gavin announced.Grant straightened and stared at the younger man holding his tablet up like a beacon."And?" Marco prompted.Gavin referenced the tablet screen. "Liman Fahed. Intelligence officer for the General Directorate of General Security.""And that tells us, what?" Grant asked."A name is a start," Ghost said.Grant ground his teeth together and focused on the map.A name was just a name, especially when they didn't know how to find the man.He'd hoped that with Ghost's arrival, they might make some sort of forward movement on locating Melody, but they were still stuck in a holding pattern.They needed a lead."So I guess it's not useful to
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 251: Melody, Liman
Monday. Unknown, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY KNEW SHE WAS dozing. She hadn't actually fallen asleep, even if the odd, twilight state between sleep and wakefulness made her question that knowledge. Exhaustion had won out, more or less. But she couldn't relax enough to become totally unaware.A soft jangle of metal lured her consciousness back into the land of the living. It wasn't a suspicious noise. More like she'd moved and maybe disrupted the coil of chain. Or Ethan had finally decided to stop playing at being a statue.Thinking the man's name caused Melody to shiver. She opened her eyes, blinking into the relative darkness. The light filtering in around the door from the next room over provided enough light for her to make out shapes.Ethan was no longer sitting.He stood. Judging by the way his shoulders hunched, his back was to her, his attention on the handcuff securing him to the wall.The chain jangled again. He grunted.The hair on the back of her neck stood up.
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 250: Grant
Sunday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.GRANT STARED AT HIS new phone. Zain had a bundle of them delivered via a courier about an hour ago. Since Aegis Group hadn't contacted Lepta Team's family beyond a few of the guy's girlfriends, it was imperative they have a means of communicating.The gut-punch had been opening up his photo gallery to see pictures of Melody. They'd gone to a nice dinner last week before leaving on the job. She'd looked beautiful in a goldish-pink dress that had shimmered. She'd rolled her eyes when he took a picture of her with the city lights behind her.Zain was nothing if not thorough. Of course their new phones would be updated with all their information and preferences, right down to the custom sound Grant had picked for Melody's texts.He tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling.Following the outburst earlier Grant had opted to wait in the hall where he wouldn't be tempted to stick his nose in things and slow people down.
