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Chapter 219: Liman, Melody
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 220: Grant
Thursday. Private Residence, Ibiza Town, Ibiza.GRANT GLANCED UP AND down the well-kept suburban street. It was late morning, almost early afternoon, and there wasn't a soul to be seen other than him and Melody in this part of town. Not awake and coherent at least. He had counted at least four people sleeping on lawns and a few signs advertising rooms for rent.How had Nolan and Vaughn wound up all the way out here? Had Melody read the note right?The address the internet comment had led them to was clear on the other side of the city from where they'd been attacked."This is it." Melody gestured at a large, square white house.Unlike some of its neighbors, this house appeared recently renovated. The exterior was pristine, almost spotless. A few palm trees swayed in the breeze. Wooden pergolas created exterior living spaces, one of which appeared to be a bedroom for people who didn't mind sleeping on lawn chairs. A collection of beer bottles circled them like some kind of
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 221: Grant
They tip-toed through the first-floor rooms finding nothing but passed out partiers. Their missing team members were nowhere to be seen."Upstairs?" Melody whispered.Grant ground his molars together. He wasn't keen on being boxed in, but if that was where their people were, that was where they were going.He palmed the gun in the waistband of his shorts and wished once more for the comfort of his jeans and boots.Together they climbed to the second floor. A toilet flushed. The faint sounds of music came from one of the rooms along with a few hushed voices.The house wasn't going to be quiet for long.They needed to find the guys and get out. There was an itch developing between Grant's shoulder blades. Nothing good ever came from that kind of funny feeling. He couldn't put his finger on what it was bothering him, he just knew he didn't want to be on this stairwell with Melody as a target.He pulled his weapon from his shorts and rounded the landing to the second floor.
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 222: Melody
Thursday. Hospital Can Misses, Ibiza.MELODY PAID THE DRIVER using some of the cash they'd lifted off the bodies. It was the only disposable money they had.She could feel Grant's displeasure rolling off him. What with the attacks yesterday he was in hyper cautionary mode. That did not work well with Vaughn's delicate health situation. Things in the cab had gotten very tense when they'd clashed over where to be dropped off.Melody had won that argument. There was no way Vaughn was going to walk a block to the hospital just so they could have the distance to observe people loitering around the doors. Melody had overruled him on the grounds that Vaughn was getting worse by the minute. Plus, if there were people stationed outside the emergency department looking for them there wasn't a thing they could do about it. This way they had the best chance at getting inside the hospital where people and security officers might offer a little protection.The main hospital on the island
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 223: Grant
GRANT PACED THE WAITING room. He had different points to hit. If he walked over to the fountains, he could see the shop across the street. There still wasn't any sign of Melody or Nolan, but they had a lot of shopping to do. If he paced to the vending machines, he had a clear line of sight into the parking lot. When he walked back to the entrance, he could peer down the halls, deeper in the hospital. All of this without ever losing sight of Vaughn.Not that he was going anywhere.The man had barely moved a muscle since sitting down. His head was tipped back, hands pressed to his stomach. Grant was pretty certain he'd never heard so much silence from Vaughn, even when he was sleeping. The guy was always running his mouth.How many times had Grant prayed for a little peace and quiet?He'd listen to all of Vaughn's bullshit right now if it meant he was well.This was a disaster.What was taking Melody so long?He wheeled around and peered toward the shop. He should have neve
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 224: Grant, Liman
"You've got to get out of here," Vaughn said as he limped toward the nurse waiting on them.Grant shook his head. "We aren't leaving you.""I'm no good to them. You should go, now. Leave me here. It'll be hard to drag me out of a hospital."Grant ignored Vaughn's protest.The nurse eyed him with speculation. Grant wasn't sure what Nolan had jotted down as their reason for visiting the hospital, but he doubted the whole bullet wound part had been disclosed.The young nurse showed them into a bay. Grant helped Vaughn sit on the gurney while the nurse told them someone would be in shortly then left."We aren't going to have long," Grant said. He turned to face the others and realized it was just Nolan standing there. No Melody. "Where's Mel?"Nolan turned around, as if he expected her to be right behind them."Shit." Grant froze, torn between caring for the team in front of him and going after Melody.They must have grabbed her while they were focused on Vaughn. An exper
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 225: Melody
Thursday. Ibiza Town, Ibiza.MELODY USED ONE OF her hair clips to secure the hotel curtains shut and block out all the light. An ancient window unit chugged cooler air into the pay-by-the-hour room. They'd fled to an older part of the town that pre-dated the tourist boom and nightlife. She wouldn't call it a bad part of town, just a lot less glossy and polished. The people who lived here were born from generations of fisherman before they became something else. Before the rest of the world told them to be unhappy with their lives."Oh, God. Fucking hell." Vaughn groaned.She glanced at the bed and bit her lip.Whatever drugs Nolan had given Vaughn to get him mobile had worn off a good half hour ago. Melody hadn't said it, but she was worried about a variety of medical complications that weren't infection. Blood loss, sepsis, internal bleeding, organ puncture. The list went on. If they didn't get a real doctor to look at Vaughn soon, he could very well die."It's okay. This
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 226: Melody
Blue skies. No clouds. Brisk breeze.It was picture perfect weather.Too bad Melody's insides were knotted up. For now, they were okay. But how long would that last?Grant picked their path, setting their course for a line of shops a few blocks away. They stopped in two different stores, using them as both a shopping opportunity but also to watch the street. Grant picked out some T-shirts and hats, commenting to her about his friends back home that'd get the souvenirs. They fell into the faux tourist roles easily enough, playing their parts.He didn't ask her the questions that were no doubt burning his mind. The ones she knew were coming. Instead they kept going, kept up the rouse, postponing yet more conversations they needed to have.At long last they stopped at a payphone that had seen better days.Melody ticked off the hours.It was just past midnight in Seattle.Merida was not going to be happy to hear from her.Melody fed money into the phone then dialed Merida
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 227: Grant
Thursday. Luxe Ibiza Hostel, Ibiza.GRANT EYED THE FOUR story building behind the tall fence. The early evening light threw long shadows stretching away from them and painted the sky a vibrant riot of color .This was where Zain was sending them?Whoever had designed the exterior had included lights that threw a rainbow of colors across the pale structure making it look more like a club. Several uniformed men were stationed at regular intervals around the perimeter indicated this really wasn't a hostel at all.This wasn't a hostel. It was a hotel for kids who wanted to pretend they were roughing it.Grant hung back and let Melody led their group past the main entrance and down a side lane. It was likely for the best that she do the talking here. He just didn't have the patience to make nice with people right now. Plus, someone had to watch their tail.Vaughn was looking better and even walking steadier since getting antibiotics and fluids in him, but he wasn't ready for
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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.
