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Chapter 237: Melody
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 238: Grant
Friday. Safe House, London, UK.SOMEDAY GRANT WANTED TO come back to London and get a chance to see the city. He'd been in it several times, but never for pleasure. During that short stint backpacking with his brother, they'd never made it to the UK. There were lots of things he hadn't seen or done. Today was not that day.He stood at the windows, staring out on the city lit by millions of twinkling lights. The flat felt a world away from the chaos that had tried to kill them.His team was safe.A doctor had seen Vaughn, Brenden and Riley. Vaughn was pulling through and things were beginning to look up.Still, whatever had begun on Ibiza was far from over.Someone had watched them, planned for this. Which meant they'd been targeted, followed.Melody's reflection in the glass made his body tighten. That man, the one on the radio, had known who she was. Grant was supposed to protect her, and he'd failed. The lump on her forehead was proof enough of that."The doctor ha
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 239: Grant
Grant continued to stare at her. If he asked, if he begged, would she let him stay?Melody tipped her chin up and looked at him, her eyes shining in the bright lights. "I just want to sleep, Grant. It's notme saying we're over, it's me saying I'm tired and I'd like some space. Okay?"He nodded, and though he believed her, his instincts said to stick close.Melody took a step, went up on tip-toe with her hands braced on his shoulders and gently kissed his lips. Before he could reach for her, she backed away.He grit his teeth, both frustrated and hopeful all at once."Good night," she said."Night, Button. Sleep tight."Her eyes narrowed.Yeah, so maybe he was using the name more often. So what? He was going to remind her at every turn what they were to each other, how much she mattered. At least she was telling him what she wanted. That was some kind of start.Grant let himself out of Melody's room and shut the door behind him. The main space of the flat was empty and
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 240: Melody
Saturday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY DIDN'T THINK SHE'D ever been happy to see the original Aegis Group campus. It reminded her of summer camp what with all the painted cinderblock dorm style rooms. After fifteen hours spent at airports and in the air, she'd be happy for a stationary cardboard box.She nudged the door to her private quarters for now and shut behind her and blew out her first easy breath since...she couldn't remember when.For weeks she'd been in a state of anticipation, waffling on what to do between her and Grant, which had made both her personal and professional time tense.After breaking up with Grant at the beach house on Ibiza, she hadn't experienced the kind of relief she'd hoped for. She'd been sad, morose and regretful that things hadn't turned out differently. And then there was everything that had happened between then and now.It was over.At least her role in getting everyone home safe.The responsibility for their
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 241: Grant
GRANT KNEW HE WAS deviating from their routine. Until this op, they'd been strict about keeping a distinct line between professional and personal time. But even that personal time had set expectations. They did specific activities, almost always followed by sex.The long flight had given him plenty of time to think about that fact.The bedrock of their relationship was built on a couple hate fucks. They hadn't particularity liked each other in the beginning, but after they'd been together it changed.He liked sex with Melody, but he also liked her as a person.It was time they did something else. Started a new routine. And for that, he had a plan."Mind if I sit?" he asked.Melody gave her head a little shake then glanced around the room. There was a desk chair or the bed."Sure." She gestured at the mattress."Want a drink first?"Melody perched on the edge of the bed, staring at him with a kind of shocked expression. He'd surprised her. Good."I'd like that, yes," sh
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 242: Melody
Saturday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY STARED AT GRANT, her heart doing cartwheels while her head tried to be reasonable.Her brain was losing.Grant had listened to her. He'd just shown her he knew more about her than she'd given him credit for, and all that had taken was one paper bag. It took real self-control to not just throw herself at him and tell him she loved him.But was he telling her the truth? Did he intend to change? Or was this a bait and switch? Would things go back to the way they'd been once this was over?"It's up to you, Button. You are right, I can't tell you what to do and I don't get to make the final decision about us. You do. Selfishly," he smiled a bit, but it didn't reach his eyes, "I want this to work out. But seeing as how much of an idiot I've been I'm not entirely sure I deserve that chance."Her throat was completely dry. She couldn't speak. His words undid her.He wasn't doubling down, telling her how things were
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 243: Melody
Melody loved this man. Under all the gruffness, he had a heart of gold.His fingers hooked in the waistband of her pants, tugging them down a bit. He pressed a kiss to the newly exposed skin and then another. He pealed her panties and pants off her, his lips worshiping her skin as it was revealed, as if he'd never seen her naked before.The way Grant looked at her, how he kissed and touched her, always made her feel beautiful.He sat back on his heels at the foot of the bed looking up her body.Her heart strained against her ribs, swelling too big for her body. Because of him.Grant leaned forward, sliding a knee between her calves. The other forced her legs apart."Missed a spot," he said.Heat swept through her a moment before he ducked his head and planted a kiss against her folds. Her body was already pulsing with need. That touch, it was just too much.She lifted her hips, shifting away from him, but he braced his forearm across her abdomen while his tongue delved
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 244: Grant, Liman
Sunday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.GRANT COULD REMEMBER HIS first time being led through the main building housing the original Aegis Group offices. He'd angled for an invitation since the day he'd been forced out of the SEALs. Since he wasn't ready to be done with the type of work that involved high-risk situations he'd been pleased to get the referral to the company. There were plenty of companies that had set up shop in the last few decades, but they weren't all equal. Aegis Group was one of the best.It had been the right call for him, even now all these years later. Only, it was better because he had Melody.She sank into the wooden chair next to him as they settled in to wait for Admiral Crawford to see them."I thought I heard that he was retiring for good," Melody said under her breath.Grant didn't reply immediately. Two people walked out of the office, their heads together, expressions serious."I think the news of his retirement is premature,
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 245: Melody
Sunday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY FELT BETTER FOR having clothes that actually fit her. Merida had totally looked out for her and sent a delivery with the works including everything from jeans to a bra. There hadn't been any face wash or her favorite pajamas. Those were things Merida didn't know about her. But that's what Melody had Grant for.The grass swished around her feet as she strolled across the lawn behind the main buildings. Trainees and teams used the area to work out first thing in the morning and in the afternoons it was blocked off to use for training purposes. But for this window, it was just her, her thoughts, the crisp air and a couple birds overhead.Well, almost."I always think it's strange how we call this the Chicago office, but the Chicago suburbs are half an hour away."Melody turned her head and watched Grant walk toward her. She'd been wondering when he'd find her again. It hadn't taken that long."It is a bit misleadin
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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.
