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Chapter 171: Priscilla
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 172: Brenden
Thursday. Emiliano Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.BRENDEN FELT ONLY MARGINALLY better after a thirty second shower and a change of clothes. He was grateful the others had opted to give him a room to himself just off the suite where they'd be set up with Priscilla for the night. Sometimes he had nightmares, nasty things that left him out of sorts for days. They were worse when he didn't at least try to keep normal hours.Technically speaking, he did not have PTSD or any other neat explanation for what kept him up at night. No head doc he'd seen had come to that conclusion. Whatever kind of fucked up he was didn't fit their neat diagnosis. He was really lucky to have this team. They didn't need long explanations for things.He dragged the washrag over his face as someone pounded on the wall.A muted voice that sounded like Vaughn called out, "Briefing.""Can't use a fucking cell phone?" Brenden muttered.He tossed the rag down and rolled his shoulders.It wasn't the briefi
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 173: Priscilla
PRISCILLA HAD TRADED ONE cell for another. Granted, being put up in this swanky hotel was a world of difference from the concrete and chain-link she'd been in the last few days.She turned the TV in her room off. For one, she could hardly figure out how to work the thing. Her mind wasn't ready to check out. She kept going back to that moment in the van when she'd been certain they were about to get captured again. The overwhelming sense of guilt she'd had for dragging Brenden into this had nearly drowned her.And then he'd told her he was saving her.She was such an idiot, and he was a big, fat liar no matter what he claimed.Where was he?She rolled off the bed and slid her feet into the sneakers Melody had given her.Priscilla needed to find Brenden. She didn't know what she'd say to him or why this mattered so much.She walked out of the bedroom and into the main part of the suite.The four guys were playing cards and eating popcorn. The woman wasn't around and neith
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 174: Priscilla
Priscilla looked up at Brenden. When had he crossed the gym to stand in front of her?Someone had bandaged the cut on the side of his head. Without the blood he actually looked rougher, maybe scarier to some people. But not to her. No, she'd seen him scary, and this wasn't it."Spot me?" he asked."What?" She frowned. "Why?""Because you need something to do. Because right now you don't want to sit in a room, watch TV or bullshit with the others."Priscilla blinked at him.He wasn't wrong.Was he right?She watched him place an ungodly amount of weight on the bar for the bench press. If he expected her to help lift that he was sorely mistaken. Still, playing the role of spotter was better than the alternatives.Neither of them spoke as he began his reps with her standing at his head.Was he right about her and his reasoning for not telling her?She chewed her lip and studied him. He was too focused on the bar to take notice of her, anyway. Had her assessment of hi
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 175: Brenden
Thursday. Emiliano Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.BRENDEN COULD SENSE THE danger building, but he didn't know what he'd said to set Priscilla off. He was speaking without thinking. The longer he was around her, the less he considered his words. All he wanted to do was look at her.She stood, turned away from him and lifted a hand to push the fine, short hairs off her forehead.He should say something, shouldn't he? But what?Brenden's value to the team had never been dealing with assets. He didn't have the gentle command of people like Melody. He couldn't sweet talk them like Vaughn. Nolan and Riley cajoled and joked people into doing what they wanted. Few people questioned Grant's authority. Brenden was the muscle. He did his job, he kept his head down, and did what needed to be done. Until today, that never included conversing with assets as an integral part of their op."What the fuck?" Priscilla whirled to face him.He winced and remained where he was, hoping like hell
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 176: Brenden
Did Priscilla like what she saw?That made Brenden pause. An answering awareness unfurled inside of him and he tightened his arms, lifting himself up slowly while their eyes remained locked.Tangling with Priscilla was a dangerous idea. She was a woman in full command of herself. He was willing to bet she knew what she wanted and how. There would be no shyness, no need to coax and be tender. No, a woman like her knew what she liked.Brenden shut down those thoughts before they went further. He did not need to sport an erection now.He shouldn't care. It didn't matter if she was attracted to him. Nothing good would come from tangling with her. And yet he wanted to know. It had been a long time since a woman had attracted him both physically and mentally."When does it stop being a workout and become showing off?" She tilted the bottle up and drank.Brenden didn't have an answer or any idea how to reply. What blood wasn't absolutely necessary for vital operations was heading
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 177: Priscilla
Thursday. Emiliano Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.PRISCILLA RETREATED TO THE back of the elevator. She braced her hand on the rail and watched Brenden's broad shoulders glistening with sweat. He hadn't put his shirt on and she hoped he didn't.The urge to fidget or do something to use up the nervous energy bubbling inside of her was nearly overpowering. She bit her lip and gripped the railing on her other side.The elevator doors shut and Brenden turned to face her.The moment his eyes locked on her, she stilled. Hell, she could hardly breathe.Who was this woman she'd become?Priscilla was not the initiator when it came to men. Flirting wasn't her strength. More often than not she was surprised to learn a man was putting the moves on her. But with Brenden? It was different. She wanted him regardless of what her norm was.Did he know she had no idea what she was doing?She was in over her head, as evidence by the full-body burn when he'd touched her. His hand on her si
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 178: Brenden
"You-what?" Brenden lifted his head and looked at Priscilla, those dark brown eyes of his burning molten hot."I'm allergic to latex. Makes things really uncomfortable for me." She took his hand and lifted it to her bicep. "Feel that little bump? That's my birth control implant."He slid his palm up and down her arm, staring at the spot."Anything I should know?" she asked. Babies weren't the only thing she didn't want to catch right now."No. I mean, are you sure?" He still held onto her pants, though now the hold seemed more like a lifeline for him."Am I sure I want to know about your sexual health? Or am I sure I want you enough to ask?" She slid her arms up and around his neck."I don't have anything," he said looking back into her eyes. "Are you sure about this?""Oh, yes. I'm sure. Are you?" She licked her lips and briefly considered telling him, but the truth was she didn't want to get sidetracked thinking about lesser men when a prime example of the best the gend
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 179: Brenden
BRENDEN ROLLED THE ROOM service cart toward the bed. Exhaustion had finally hit Priscilla, and she lay sprawled on his bed wearing the white, fluffy robe from the closet, but it didn't cover near enough for his liking to allow a strange man into the room at almost three in the morning. He paused, taking her in.One arm was thrown over her face. Her hair was up in a messy bun thing. The robe gaped open, exposing her sternum and lower ribs, but nothing more. One thigh peaked from between the folds of fabric, her long, lean legs caught in a frozen dance against the bedspread."Is that food I smell?" she mumbled."Think you can sit up to eat?" He picked up her tray. He'd managed to get her a nice, steak dinner with simple sides. Given what she'd gone through, he wouldn't doubt that her stomach was all kinds of knotted up from stress."Yup." She levered up into a sitting position then pushed up to the headboard. "Your phone went off again."Brenden wasn't particularly keen on look
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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.
