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Chapter 144: Carla
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 145: Vaughn
Monday. Secondary Safe House, Beirut, Lebanon.VAUGHN GULPED DOWN more coffee. He'd been up far longer than he should. By all rights he needed be in bed, but there was too much to figure out."Zain just sent over the profile on this Hani guy," Nolan said staring at his tablet."Wanna read it for the rest of us?" Vaughn asked. He only had his phone on him and with how tired he was, reading on it was a pain."Sure. Skimming now." Nolan dragged his finger up and down the screen. "Let's see... Born to a lower-middle-class family. Middle child of four. He's been on his own for a while, struggling to earn money. Based on his arrest record, it's safe to say Hani runs with a tough crowd. Looks like typical gang stuff.""What if that's the angle?" Vaughn leaned against the table. "He's part of this gang. He has to earn his keep. Farez over here roped him into this scheme then Hani sees Ashton. He's low-hanging fruit so Hani goes for it.""Plausible. That doesn't explain our myste
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 146: Carla
Monday. Secondary Safe House, Beirut, Lebanon.CARLA SAT BACK on her heels and stared at the bathroom. She could easily imagine this being the height of fashion when it was built with the hand-painted tiles and desert colors. Over the years it hadn't aged well, but with a little scrubbing it at least seemed more inviting.Vaughn's deep voice resonated off the stone and tile. "You going to spend all day in here?"She yelped and twisted around, sitting down hard in a still damp puddle.He stood in the doorway, hands up and a chuckle curving his handsome lips into an inviting smile."It's not cool to sneak up on someone like that." She threw her rag at his boot."Sorry." He offered her a hand. "Any chance you're finished in here?"She took his offered hand and let him pull her to her feet. She turned to once more examine her handiwork."It's good enough, I suppose.""Does it only have those squatty potty things?" He stepped past her and groaned.It was Carla's turn
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 147: Vaughn
Tuesday. Secondary Safe House, Beirut, Lebanon.VAUGHN PEERED OUT the windows at the street, looking into the darkest shadows. The gear waiting for them at this location was bare bones. There weren't enough cameras to cover each street, entrance and blind spot. Which meant they had to rely on people watching things and everyone was running on fumes.The timer on his phone went off again, signaling another fifteen minutes had passed.He reached up and tapped the comm. "Hey, B. How's it looking?""All quiet," Brenden replied."You good? Need coffee or anything?""Nope.""Sorry you got dragged into the overnight shift.""It's all good."Vaughn ground his teeth together.It wasn't good, and they all knew it.They each had their demons. No one did what they did and slept easy at night. Dreams were full of friends they'd lost, decisions they should have made, moments they'd hesitated. But Brenden's demons were worse. Which was why they'd restructured their team so he
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 148: Vaughn
Vaughn remained where he was, watching the man come closer. And closer.The man did a sudden left turn down a narrow street and passed out of sight. Something about that coat still sat wrong with Vaughn.He returned to the salon with its view of the street along the front of the house and took up a post in the corner. From this position he could see where the narrow street met with the main thoroughfare.The minute dragged on and the man didn't come into view on any camera."Something's not right. Where'd that guy go?" Vaughn asked."Maybe he works in one of those shops?" Brenden replied.It was a logical thought, but something about the guy didn't sit right with Vaughn. Or maybe he was paranoid.He leaned left a bit to try to get a better view of the main road, but the same tree still blocked his line of sight.A light flashed out of the corner of his eye. He moved, reacting on instinct and threw himself back against the wall. The window shattered, right where he'd bee
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 149: Carla
Tuesday. Horsh Beirut Park, Beirut, Lebanon.CARLA STARED OUT the window at the green iron fence bordering the triangular park. She spied a concession area with red tables and chairs positioned just under the trees. Down the road a ways she spied dozens of people gathered doing yoga, greeting the morning sun.She clenched her thighs together, her hands sandwiched between them, to try to quell the tremors.In half an hour she was going to meet Jared and Ashton's kidnapper. By herself.Sure, Vaughn would be out of sight keeping an eye on her, but she wouldn't be able to hold his hand or anything. The idea of this swap was something out of her nightmares. She wouldn't even be able to speak the same language as these men.What if they had demands or wanted something more?Vaughn's hand closed around her knee and squeezed. "The plan from the top. Recite it to me?"She sighed though inwardly she appreciated his distraction. "Again?""Yes. The more you know it the less y
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 150: Vaughn
Tuesday. Beirut, Lebanon.VAUGHN GRIPPED THE wheel and tried to both watch the traffic and for any sign of Carla. With Nolan unable to use his right leg, it had fallen to Vaughn to take up the keys."Where is she?" he snarled."Quiet," Grant snapped."Is Zain tracking her? Do we know who that man is?" Vaughn had chased the bike out of the park and down a whole block on foot before traffic had opened up and allowed the motorcycle to get away."I understand," Grant said."What?" Vaughn wanted to reach over and take the phone. They needed answers.Nolan leaned forward between the seats and muttered, "Chill out."Grant lowered the phone and tapped the screen. "You're on speaker with Nolan, Vaughn and myself. Go.""Lepta Team?" The voice on the other end was Zain, but he sounded wrong. Not at all like the guy Vaughn had heard over the years telling them how to pull off what amounted to magic to get a job done. "You are to head to the US Embassy for your own safety. From
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 151: Carla
Tuesday. Unknown Location, Beirut, Lebanon.CARLA'S HEAD SWAM and everything spun. Her stomach clenched and for a moment she thought she was going to be sick. She swallowed and tasted bile. Or was that fear?The motorcycle slowed, and they passed out of the sunlight into darkness. Her eyes stopped throbbing, but that was only one ache in a long list since getting hauled onto the motorcycle.Should she try to throw herself off the bike again?The first time hadn't gone so well for her. But she'd tried, just like Melody had told her to. The difference was that whoever this guy was, nothing seemed to surprise him.Before her muddled brain could decide on a course of action, the bike came to an abrupt stop. She lurched forward, catching herself on the handlebars. Her captor spat a few words then roughly grabbed her by the hair."Ow! Hey, I'm cooperating." She grasped him by the wrist in an effort to ease the pain.He used the hold to drag her off the bike, nearly toppling
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 152: Carla
Carla's mouth dried up.He did not want her to...?He spoke more, gesturing at his shoulder with his free hand."Dude, I do not know what I'm doing," she said.He replied as he had, in words she didn't know then followed it up by straightening his arm and pointing the gun at her.She flinched. What were the chances he'd bleed out before she could finish? And could she use this as an opportunity to injure him further thereby allowing her to get away?"Okay." She swallowed and took the tweezers. "This is a really bad idea."He didn't speak, just pointed the gun at her."Great. Just what I wanted to do today." She clicked the ends of the tweezers together and braced herself.Up close the wound was worse. Much worse. Bits of flesh and muscle were churned up. She was fairly certain that bit of yellowish white was bone. And this guy was standing there as though it didn't hurt in the slightest."Fucking hell this is gross," she muttered.Carla braced her hand against his
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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.
