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Chapter 205: Priscilla, Arturo
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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
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 208: Priscilla
Tuesday. Unknown, Chicago, Illinois.PRISCILLA'S EYES AND THROAT stung from the smoke. Her ears rang and in the rush of men to come and go she kept getting kicked.Large hands grabbed her by the arms. She flinched before she realized who it was.Brenden.This was their chance to get free.She didn't know how he did it, but he got her wrists lose. She pushed to her feet, wobbling a little and blinking back tears as the gas stung her eyes.Brenden clutched her to him and rushed across the room, toward the window. They hadn't even gone three steps before more hands grabbed her. She tried to hold on to Brenden, but her numb hands wouldn't cooperate.The hands yanked her back and the next thing she felt was the cool press of metal to her temple. She sucked in a gasp and watched Brenden whirl, only to be tackled by one of the goons. The two men crashed to the ground, landing half in and half out of the house.Arturo wasn't going to use her as a shield.She'd been through
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 209: Brenden
Tuesday. Safe House, Chicago, Illinois.BRENDEN WAS GLAD TO have the condo to themselves for a little while. Soon enough the guys would be back from dinner and they'd begin debrief, but for now Brenden needed a little quiet time with Priscilla.He secured the door behind them, his hand never leaving the small of her back.The doctor had prescribed a minor muscle relaxer and suggested she follow up with her normal physician for any new pains or problems. There just wasn't anything to triage.Brenden wouldn't be there to make sure she went to the doctor or to take care of her. That knowledge gnawed at him. He didn't like knowing that in a very short time they'd be on opposite ends of the country.Without discussing it they both headed toward her bedroom. He once more shut and secured the door.He almost wished there was another door or maybe a panic room he could squirrel her away to, but that was ridiculous and he knew it."What do you say to sleep?" She hooked her fing
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 210: Epilogue
Six months later. Taylor Family Reunion, Chicago, Illinois.PRISCILLA WAS GOING TO HURL.A voice in the back of her head reminded her that the last time she'd lost the contents of her stomach had also been in Chicago. All over her kidnappers.Today had no such danger factored in, unless she took into account her light blue dress and the fact that backyard barbeques were often messy.It was too late to change now.Brenden opened the passenger door of their rental and held out his hand. She took it and held on tight as he pulled her to her feet.He studied her face. "You're looking a little green.""I want them to like me," she grumble-mumbled under her breath.Who would have known she actually got nervous about meeting people she wanted to impress?Other than a little interview nerves, she'd never gone through this before moving to Seattle a few weeks ago. When she'd gone to the first get-together that included dozens of Aegis Group employees and their families, she
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 211: Epilogue 2
BRENDEN WAS DONE WITH the crowded back yard. There were too many people. It was draining. And yet the day was a success.He dumped a few abandoned cups in the sink, rinsed them out then stacked them to await the next run of the dishwasher as the appliance was currently chugging away.Priscilla and her sister stood near the back porch with his mother and aunt, their conversation involving a lot of hand gestures and laughter.She fit here. With him. In his family."Hey there." Oaklynn stepped up next to him, the baby passed out in her arms. She bumped his hip with hers as she swayed."Hey." He reached over and tugged on Oaklynn's long hair, earning a playful swat from her.She turned to face him. "Okay, so, like, when are you two getting married? Are you going to ask her tonight? Because you totally have that look.""What?" Brenden frowned at her. "What look?""The she's-all-I-think-about kind of madly in love look."Brenden turned his attention back to Priscilla who wa
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 212: Melody
Volume 5: Dangerously EntwinedWednesday. Safe House, Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza.MELODY NGUYEN STARED LONGINGLY out of the windows of the safe house at the crystal beaches beyond. She wished she was headed out for a relaxing day on the sand. Hell, she'd take a day of cleaning her bathroom and kitchen over what she was about to do.Her co-leader, Grant Anderson, herded the rest of their team out the front door. He'd been practically growling at them to leave for the last hour. Because Grant expected them to fall into their routine."You guys stay out of trouble.Melody gripped the back of the tall chair and watched her last glimpse of the four men headed out to enjoy the day.She really wished she were going with them.Grant closed the door. The thunk of the deadbolt was loud in the sudden silence.She held her breath as he turned to look at her. Her skin prickled and her traitorous body warmed at his attention. After all this time she should be used to it, but she w
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 213: Grant
GRANT ANDERSON STARED DOWN the empty hall, still reeling from his exchange with Melody.What the hell just happened?He'd known things were off between them lately, but he hadn't seen this coming. With their last job wrapping up so fast, he'd made plans. A God damn private chef was supposed to be here in half an hour to cook lunch then a masseuse. He'd warned the guys to stay away, that he and Melody would be working. In reality what Grant really wanted was to lay his claim on her publically. Let everyone know they were together. But he'd never done that because that wasn't what she wanted.And now she didn't want him.How was it they were breaking up? And she didn't even want to talk about it? She'd just decided how it was and that was it?Grant pushed off the chair and strode to the other side of the house where the neatly manicured lawn butted up against a high fence dividing this property from the neighboring one.It was a tropical paradise, and he'd thought if they sch
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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.
