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Chapter 179: Brenden
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 180: Arturo, Priscilla
Friday. Arturo Lobo's Home, Ju醨ez, Mexico.ARTURO PRIED HIS EYES open. His phone clamored away, the screen lighting up the room.What now?He pushed up and groped blindly for the device. He tapped the answer button to shut it up then took a moment to inhale and ease back against the headboard.He didn't recognize the number. "What?""The weather is bad. Real bad. Hurricane level bad."Arturo frowned and looked at the number again. "Where are you calling me from?""I bought a burner phone, like we talked about?" The man's voice trembled and shook.He closed his eyes. "Then you should have called my burner. What's going on? What disaster is striking us?""There was a break in at one of your facilities in Rio."Arturo bit his tongue to keep from saying, not mine. No, the South American expansion was after his time leading DDM. But that was a minor detail that didn't matter right now."When?" He threw the covers back."You know why this is bad, don't you?" The ma
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 181: Priscilla
Priscilla took her seat, choosing the one nearest the aisle and Brenden."Sleep well?" His voice was the same as before, deep and rough, only now it was the sound of safety. He didn't look at her. In fact, with his eyes shut he appeared to be on the verge of sleep himself."Not really." She turned her head.He opened his eyes and looked at her. "I find I sleep very well on planes."Priscilla chewed her lip. Was she being a conspiracy theorist?"What's wrong?" Brenden asked.She got up, tucked the paper under her arm, and gestured to the window seat on his other side. "May I?"He stood by way of an answer, allowing her to take the seat next to him. She spread the paper out over her knees and gestured at it."Did you know the warehouse burned down? Melody said the cops aren't looking into the kidnapping.""I saw the news." He grimaced and buckled his seatbelt."You don't think it's a coincidence either, do you?" She didn't want to be alone in this."I could see one
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 182: Damian
Friday. El Paso, Texas.DAMIAN NARAUJO WATCHED THE black and white security feed. For a job he'd thrown together in a handful of hours, things were going better than he'd hoped.He still had no idea how the man who'd woken him up got his number. All Damian really cared about was getting paid. Once the cash hit his account, there was no question about doing the job.It wasn't the first time he'd crashed a plane."Does he know what he's doing?" Victoria leaned over his shoulder, her gaze narrowed.Damian ran his hand up and down her forearm. "Relax.""We shouldn't have taken this job," she whispered."It's easy money." He turned his head and kissed her elbow."What if the plane doesn't go down? What then?""It will work." He nodded at his laptop. A connection pop-up appeared, the little green bar sliding across the window. "See?""D, we have no back-up plan. Fuck. We're supposed to be lying low, not crashing a plane."Damian wrapped his arm around Victoria's wais
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 183: Damian, Priscilla
Friday. Friday. El Paso, Texas.DAMIAN STARED AT THE tracking data on his screen."Fuck," he snarled.The plane had begun its malfunction half an hour ago, right on schedule. By then the auto-pilot had swerved off path. The pilot's communications were cut off, rerouted to Damian who had a series of prerecorded loops to play."What?" Victoria sat from where she'd been lounging on the sofa.Damian tapped through the readings.This had to be wrong.Only, it wasn't."What is it?" she demanded.His body went cold, his emotions numb. It was time to work. "Load up. We're heading out.""You fucked it up, didn't you? God, Damian, I told you-"He whirled to face her and grabbed her by the throat, forcing her back down on the cushions. Her wide, fearful eyes were all he saw."Do what I tell you," he snarled. "Do you understand?"She gripped his arm, her sharp little nails digging in even as her face began turning red.He let go and turned back to the computer."Fu
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 184: Priscilla
They finally reached the cluster of crew and Lepta Team members near the front of the plane. Someone had found a pair of battery operated lanterns and set them up on a piece of what looked to be the tail."Hey, how are you doing?" Melody appeared at Priscilla's side, resting a hand on her shoulder."I feel like someone rung my bell." If Priscilla was to self-diagnose based only on what she could feel, she had a concussion and bruising. Otherwise she was fine. Her limbs worked. There were no other signs of injury. "How's everyone else?""Shaken, but okay. You were the worst.""How?" Priscilla frowned at Melody.The light cast a bit of light on Melody's face. Her mouth was screwed up to one side. A bit of dried blood stuck to her forehead. "Brenden said he elbowed you in the head.""That would explain it." Priscilla lifted her hand to the side of her head."Circle up, people," Grant said.A few of the flight staff shuffled closer."Best we can tell, ever since we left M
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 185: Brenden
Friday. Somewhere in Gila National Park, New Mexico.BRENDEN FOLLOWED ALONG BEHIND Priscilla as the team walked single file, picking their way through the dense brush surrounding the crash site. He didn't like leaving the flight crew behind, but there was no arguing with them. The best they could do was as Grant said. Get to high ground, keep watch, be ready and do their best to protect both their asset and the crew.At least they'd been able to get into the luggage hold and retrieve much of their gear. With what they carried with them they could fend off a small army and self-sustain for forty-eight hours. When they didn't check-in tonight and their flight was MIA, Zain would begin looking for them.The night air in the desert was chilly. They were still getting a lot of warmth from the rocks and sand. Soon enough that would dissipate and things might get serious.He watched Priscilla inch along ahead of him carrying her two boxes despite Grant's insistence she leave the ev
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 186: Damian, Priscilla
Friday. Somewhere in Gila National Park, New Mexico.DAMIAN HATED NATURE.The bugs. The plants. The dirt. It was all of the things he didn't like rolled into one. But this was where the job was taking them.He eased off the accelerator and the all-terrain buggy slowed.They'd made it to the park and inside without incident using off-road vehicles they'd picked up from a contact not far away. So far he hadn't seen any signs of the wreckage, and that was alarming.If his coordinates were correct, the plane was only a few miles away.Was it possible they'd managed to land instead of crash?At least there weren't any other vehicles out here. No first responders. Nothing. Just miles of brush, cacti and rock."Boss, how far are we?" Aaron asked via their headsets."We're getting close. Just a couple more miles. Keep your eyes open for movement." Damian pulled out his phone, double checking the map.Yup, they were almost on the spot where the signal had last transmitted
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 187: Brenden
Friday. Somewhere in Gila National Park, New Mexico.BRENDEN STAYED LOW TO the ground, his eyes locked on the shooter pelting the belly of the plane with bullets.He and Vaughn had been staring at the crash, watching for movement, when the first shots fired. They hadn't seen anyone. Their attackers had eluded their detection and now the innocent lives of the flight crew were in their hands. If they died, it was on their team.Spiny plants picked and snagged his clothes, but he kept going. The rocky ground made for uncertain footing, but he didn't let that slow him down.It was unusual to not hear the whispering voices of his team in his ear. He'd gotten used to that. And now, the only thing he heard was gunfire and cries for help.Whoever these people were, they were trying to get into the plane. The shooter was simply a distraction. The real threat would come if or when one of their attackers got up into the cabin. Brenden couldn't see the hatch from this angle, but his g
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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.
