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Chapter 161: Carla
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 162: Vaughn
VAUGHN NEEDED THE climb to the third floor to let the facts settle. He was vaguely aware of the guys watching him and some looks, but holy hell, a lot just got unpacked. This-him and Carla-wasn't over, which was an important fact to remember.Neither he nor Carla spoke all the way to the master suite. It was still untouched though a few luggage pieces had been stowed by the door. He set Carla down on the big, platform bed then stepped out of reach before she could pull him in. He knew her, all action, that brilliant head of hers snapping out ideas and solutions while he was still sorting things out.Carla gripped the comforter in both hands and leaned forward. Her black T-shirt and yoga pants had seen far better days. Her face was red from crying and her hair had partially fallen out of the bun she'd secured it in that morning.In a word she was beautiful.But that wasn't the only thing he saw when he looked at her.He licked his lips. "Please tell me you aren't doing this fo
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 163: Epilogue.
Six Weeks Later. Private Beach, Miami, Florida.CARLA WAS A WRECK.In one hand she had the leather-bound notebook containing everything she'd have to say, the documents-all of it. And in her other hand she had the rings. Two of them.The sea breeze carried the cry of gulls toward her."All done," Vaughn announced.She turned from the calming ocean view to the sandy shore.A lump of emotion clogged her throat at the sight of Vaughn standing under the canopy with candles, lanterns and flowers surrounding him. He chuckled and padded toward her, barefoot in the sand."You're beautiful," he whispered before kissing her lips ever so gently so as to not smudge her lipstick."I'm going to throw up.""No, you aren't. You've practiced.""Who gets ordained for a wedding online? Shouldn't there be a class for this? What if I do it all wrong?" She leaned on Vaughn's strong arm, soaking up his presence. She'd half wondered if he'd even make it today. He'd surprised her early t
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 164: Brenden
Volume 4: Dangerously BrokenWednesday. In the air.BRENDEN TAYLOR COULD COUNT the number of hours he'd slept on one hand. He eased back in the plush leather seat of the private plane taking Lepta Team to God-only-knew-where and prayed they were in the air long enough for him to get some shuteye. He always did sleep better on planes. Probably because it was impossible to not know where he was. There was something about the cramped space and recycled air that couldn't be mistaken. And to a passed out him, that meant his subconscious couldn't put him back in the four by four box he'd lived in for weeks of his life.His ears popped and the voices of his teammates rushed in, filling the previously hollow space."Hey." Vaughn Fernandez twisted to look back at their Team Leader and Team Liaison sitting across from Brenden at the four-person table."Yeah?" Grant Anderson replied in a cool, calculated tone."Do we have any word about...?" Vaughn's voice trailed off.No one
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 165: Priscilla
Wednesday. Unknown, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.PRISCILLA YILMAZ HOOKED HER fingers in the chain link that made up the three sides of her cell and stared at the bastard taunting the American family opposite her with a bottle of water. The mother cradled her child, who wailed and stretched out his little arm toward the liquid.If Priscilla could just get out of this cage, she'd rip that man's arms off and beat him with his own dick. No, scratch that, it was probably too small. She'd-A door clanged open somewhere outside her field of vision.Gooseflesh broke out along her arms and she tensed.It was only a matter of time before they came at her another way. So far they'd tried to intimidate her, scare her knock her around a little. She could handle all of that. She'd been through it before only now she had the tools to persevere.All she had to do was hang on until someone came for her.She was going to be in so much trouble when she got home. If these thugs had only wanted
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 166: Brenden
Thursday. Unknown, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.BRENDEN NEEDED TO GET up and move or his limbs were going to go numb. He had to pick his moments carefully. So far, the kidnappers had mostly forgotten about him, too busy with the family across the way. But they were gone now. Soon enough their attention would be on Priscilla or Brenden. When that happened he needed to have a plan.He knew there were two entrances, the double doors he'd come through and a smaller door behind a pillar that looked rusted shut. The windows overhead could be reached via a catwalk and the latter to climb up there was to their right. The electricity keeping the lights going was from a generator which meant there was always the chance for a distraction. There was only one guard on them at any point in time and the new one on duty hardly looked at them.What he didn't like was how secure this cage was. The poles were cemented into a new floor. The anchors were solid. They even had a basic toilet though it wa
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 167: Brenden
Brenden turned his head and waited for her to look at him. "Everyone is vulnerable."Priscilla stared into his eyes and he was fairly certain he got a fleeting glimpse behind the curtain. She was strong, smart and scared. With her history, and knowing what he knew about her, she'd probably done everything right to not get kidnapped again.He made a split second decision. "I was held for six weeks after my unit was ambushed. Just because you know the right things to do doesn't mean it won't ever happen to you.""You-what?" Her eyes widened and her lips parted.Brenden didn't expand on that fact of his life. Nothing good would come from discussing that chapter, as he'd learned during his mandatory therapy. His best method was putting all those experiences in a box, sealing it up and shoving it into the recesses of his mind."I guess this isn't as bad as...?""No." He forced himself to tear his eyes away from her and look anywhere else. "These guys just want money.""How did
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 168: Arturo, Brenden
Thursday. DDM Inc., Ju醨ez, Mexico.ARTURO LOBO SQUINTED AT the computer screen, his mind shuffling the numbers into imaginary columns. He couldn't risk creating his own file or even writing the quantities down without the Asclepius Health systems recording his every keystroke then there were the cameras in each office.Once more he cursed the spirit of his father. The man had been on the brink of death when he sold the company he'd created and grown, robbing Arturo of his inheritance. He was fairly certain the old man had done it out of spite. He'd known for a long time that he was losing sway with the executives, that it was Arturo really running things. But not anymore.DDM Inc. had once been the largest provider of medicine to Mexico and Central America. Their pharmacies were in most towns. Arturo's father had petitioned governments and private organizations to help cut costs, thereby making vital medicines more affordable for the poorer people they serviced. But those days
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 169: Brenden
Brenden glanced once more at the thin blanket Priscilla had pulled over herself. He could see her face looking back at him in his mind, the stubborn chin, defiant gaze. She was amazing. He'd known men who hadn't pulled themselves together after facing down half the shit she had. She was made of strong stuff.He knew the objective of tonight's hit threw a wrench in things. It was the way she'd looked at him when she'd spoken about the insulin. She was a woman governed by what she thought was right, and he wasn't convinced she'd allow herself to be rescued before tonight. Her heart was too damn good.Priscilla rolled onto her back and rubbed her face.He glanced once more at the oblivious guard then pushed off the fence.There were things he needed to talk about with her. She had to understand that these people weren't going to allow a cash cow like her to just walk out of here.He crossed the cell to stand next to the mattress. Priscilla was already sitting, weariness clinging
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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.
