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Chapter 199: Brenden
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 200: Priscilla
Monday. Safe House, Chicago, Illinois.PRISCILLA SLICKED ON A little gloss then stood back, giving her reflection a once over.She hadn't slept. Not even a little dozing. She'd been too angry. Then because her body was still recovering from the crash she couldn't go to the gym like she wanted. Midnight yoga then a bath was about as much as she could handle, and even that brought up memories.Baths would forever be ruined for her. She just couldn't sit there and not remember that huge soaker tub and Brenden holding her limp body.Fuck him.She'd thought they were similar. That they were both creating new lives. She'd been wrong.He was happy living in his rut, alienated from family, stuck in a bog, living the same thing day after day.Priscilla wanted more.He'd woken up the desire for companionship in her.Before Brenden she'd accepted that all men were in some form of competition with her. Now she had to wonder if there was someone out there like Brenden who could
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 201: Brenden, Priscilla
Monday. Chicago, Illinois."WHERE THE FUCK DID they go?" Brenden twisted in his seat to stare at the eighteen wheeler that had narrowly missed crashing into them."Shit!" Nolan slammed on the brakes.The SUV skidded then hit something, throwing Brenden forward. If it weren't for the seatbelt snapping tight, he'd have hit the dash."Mother fucker," he snarled.He knew without looking this wasn't an accident. Blindly he groped for his weapon, pushing aside the dull ache from the collision.Priscilla was back there where he couldn't see her and he knew she was the target. The one they wanted.Brenden ignored the stabbing pain in his neck and lifted his too-heavy head to stare at two gunmen. Unlike the thugs from New Mexico these people were professionals. It was their gear, the weapons, how they held themselves. These were people on their level, and they'd kill Brenden before he could get to Priscilla."Grant? Riley?" Nolan said, his voice coming through the earpiece as
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 202: Brenden
Monday. Asclepius Health, Chicago, Illinois.BRENDEN STARED DAGGERS AT the self-important officer taking his sweet time signing off on returning their gear.This was a waste of their fucking time.Cops had rolled up several minutes after Priscilla's abduction. Zain had been able to trace her phone and tracking bracelet to a block away. After that, he couldn't find anything. The cops had acted on what they'd seen and assumed their team was the problem. After a lengthy back and forth, involving their boss, lawyers and calling their clients at Asclepius, they should be on their way. But here they were, killing more valuable moments.The trail was cold.Priscilla and her kidnappers were long gone.A team like that, who knew what they were doing, should have her whisked away in moments. They'd change vehicles, drivers. Priscilla had vanished right from under his damn nose. And they all knew what was going to happen to her if they didn't find her."Guys?" Melody came around
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 203: Priscilla, Brenden
Monday. Unknown.BY THE TIME THE third car she'd been in stopped, Priscilla was practically hogtied. She'd failed in the garage, but had gathered her wits to make a go of running for it when the car stopped a second time. Her kidnappers were ready for her though. They'd been on her in a second and gagged her.What good were all those years of training?She'd utterly fucked up from the moment she'd thrown up on her attacker. She was better than this.Anger fueled her as she was dragged between two men through an attached garage and kitchen into the main room of a house she'd never seen before.Her spit-soaked gag made breathing hard. More of her ached.God, what if they killed her? What if it really happened?Brenden would never know how she felt. She'd never get the chance to tell him he was missing out or change his mind. She knew he cared about her. They had something special, and it would die with her.When was the last time she'd spoken to her parents? Her sister
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 204: Brenden
Brenden stepped back and examined the six foot stone and wrought-iron fence surrounding the property. Getting over it would be easy. The tricky part would be to remain undetected. The house had large windows. There could be a security system in place, cameras he couldn't see. But that was a risk he'd have to take.If he wanted to ensure he got inside, he had to move now, before the smoker was done.He sidestepped the tree and watched the smoker stare at his phone.This was Brenden's chance.He grabbed the top of the fence and using the tree, boosted himself up and over onto the property. The immaculately kept grass cushioned his landing and kept it silent.The smoker didn't glance Brenden's way at all.Time was not on his side though. He'd have preferred a more cautious approach, but this was what he had.Brenden sprinted forward, swerving right so the corner of the garage partially obscured him. He didn't draw his gun. If he had to shoot it was all over. A sound like tha
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 205: Priscilla, Arturo
Tuesday. Richard Carlson's Home, Chicago, Illinois.PRISCILLA'S FEARS HAD ALWAYS been wrapped around the horrors that happened to her as a child. The trauma she'd endured was psychological. She'd always maintained that nothing could come close to that, until now.Real fear was watching the man she loved beaten until every new blow sprayed the floor, the furniture and her with his blood.Tears stung her eyes, and she jerked against the bonds securing her to the fireplace. All that anger, the need to go to his protection, and all she could do was cry?This was bullshit."Enough," the man named Arturo snapped. "We have to amend our plans."Damian stepped up to Arturo's side. "Secure him, spray the blood with the ammonia then get ready to go."Priscilla pulled on her bonds. There was no give, and they were so tight her hands were beginning to lose feeling.Two men dragged Brenden toward her then bound his hands and ankles. One eye was swollen and that same gash on the si
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 206: Brenden
Tuesday. Unknown, Chicago, Illinois.BRENDEN SHOULD HAVE KNOWN better.He let his eyes shut again. Or more appropriately, his eye. The left was nearly swollen shut.Waiting for the team would have been the better choice. But how should he have known Priscilla's kidnappers had a timeline?He'd rushed in because he let his emotions get in the way, and now he might have blown their chances at getting rescued. His tracker was likely fried thanks to the EMP. The goons had taken and destroyed his phone. That left his one and only hope his comm unit.The device had a GPS tracking feature, but only when it was turned on. It was still in his pocket, but there was no way he'd be able to power the thing on to signal the team. If he could do that, he might as well give them a rundown.If Priscilla died because he'd been foolish, he hoped they killed him.Time dragged on.Their car ride got longer and longer as they left Chicago and its suburbs behind.Every so often he opened
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 207 Brenden
Brenden held his breath waiting for Priscilla's answer."That I am capable of caring for people. That I care about you. That I've always thought I'd have to sacrifice something of myself to be with someone. But you accepted me completely. I've been hiding, burying myself in work and choosing to not live my life. You reminded me there's more to it. That there's more to me, and I want more."He bit the inside of his cheek. She had forgiven him, but had he completely crushed his chances with her?"Can I be corny?" she asked.Brenden placed his hands on her knees, unable to keep from touching her. "You can be whatever you want.""It feels like...this was supposed to happen. We were supposed to meet. And if we survive this, there's no one else I'd rather take on a date.""You're taking me?""Well I am the one who asked. We've kind of had this role reversal going on, in case you haven't noticed. I chased you down. I wanted to see your tub." Another smile lit her face from the i
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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.
