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Chapter 55: Nolan
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Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 56: Yvonne
Friday. Tech Conference, Kyoto, Japan.YVONNE TICKED OFF ANOTHER item off the agenda. The meeting was moving right along.She glanced at the time.What were the chances she'd have a break before the luncheon to rush back upstairs?Melody had brought back the pregnancy test last night along with half a dozen other medications to help with her stomach and if Yvonne was simply sick. She'd chickened out after keeping the soup down and gone to sleep without doing the tests.This morning she had to know, but wading through the instructions had taken too much time. She'd barely been able to take the test and stash them before running out the door. Which meant she'd been thinking about the results instead of her meetings all morning.She was not doing her best that was for sure.The conference room door opened.Yvonne glanced up and caught a glimpse of Nolan standing across the hall, staring straight at her. She shivered and was grateful for the wall between them.What if
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 57: Samuel
Saturday. Ito Family Home, Kyoto, Japan.SAMUEL ITO COULD DO with a beer. Plain, unassuming-beer. But his half-brother Sota wouldn't have such low-brow drinks here.Too bad.It would make what came next that much more painful for Sota.Samuel continued to stare out on the ornamental garden surrounding the paved patio area. It was one of the few places in this house he remembered from childhood. The latter years. His father had allowed his first wife, Sota's mother, to remain here after the divorce. Which was probably why Sota assumed he had a right to it. Just like everything else.Samuel slid his hands into his pockets and pressed his forearm against the gun concealed under his jacket. He wanted things to be different, but history had proven time and time again that he wasn't good enough for this family.Well, he was done playing by their rules."You didn't come just to admire the view." Sota stopped next to Samuel, staring out over the garden, the high-rises of Kyoto
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 58: Nolan
NOLAN SLID THE MODIFIED mob holster on then his jacket. Since they couldn't carry guns in Japan, they had a range of back-up tools to serve the purpose of protecting themselves and their clients."What can you tell us about the drone?" Melody's focus was on Theodore, who'd shed his coat and was pacing."It's a toy still. It flies around, takes pictures and fires rubber bullets. It's a concept Doug is dicking around with so it looks like he's trying." Theodore wheeled away from them and strode toward the windows.Melody glanced at Nolan.Rubber bullets were easy enough to swap out for real ones.Why had no one mentioned this?"Guys?" Vaughn turned from the computer, one hand mashing an earpiece to his ear. "There's been a high profile homicide. Someone got shot at their home.""Do they have the shooter in custody?" Nolan asked."Not that I can tell, but I'm listening to them through translating software. It's not perfect.""Go," Melody said. "Take the gear, meet the ot
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 59: Yvonne
Saturday. Tech Conference, Kyoto, Japan.YVONNE SAT ON THE floor, her back braced against the bed, and stared at her toes. They still had a tiny bit of polish on them from that spa day Tabby had taken her on the week after Vegas. That was the last time Yvonne had done anything for herself.Her life was work. It was the business. She couldn't be pregnant. She couldn't have a baby.The tests were wrong. They had to be.Why should she trust a drug store test? This was the kind of thing that needed a professional.But that meant doctors, and she'd gone to the same family practice her whole life. Even her doctor in LA was cousins with her doctor in DC. If her physician knew she was pregnant, there would be no keeping that from her family.A sharp knock at her door broke the circle of thought.She briefly considered ignoring it, but Douglas was out there. Probably doing something stupid.Yvonne pushed to her feet, straightened her blouse then opened the door.Melody stoo
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 60: Lee, Yvonne
Saturday. Private Airport, Kyoto, Japan.FUCKING HELL.Lee's plans were dissolving, and he had no clue why.He eased the bike to a stop outside the fenced off area of the private airport just outside Kyoto. He'd been hard pressed to follow the SUV without getting too close. With any luck the bodyguards hadn't spotted him.The family was supposed to remain at the conference for the duration of the event. Only once that was over were they to leave, at which point Lee's people were supposed to grab them."Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." Lee balled his hands into fists.His plans were blown until he knew where the Kriegers were going.The way his luck was going, they were en route back to the states, and that would really suck. Lee operated mostly on foreign soil. He stayed out of the US, but this job was too big. He couldn't fail.He tipped his head back and sucked in a deep breath.He could be flexible. He knew their habits, their routines. He'd been studying them in preparation
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 61: Nolan
Saturday. Private Jet.NOLAN RELEASED THE CATCH on his seatbelt and stretched."You want to get in on a game of cards?" Vaughn had a deck out and shuffling on the four-person table already.Brenden unfolded his arms and placed one on the table. It was likely all he'd say, but he was in."I'm in," Riley said."Your wife lets you?" Nolan said before he could think better of the question."At least I've got a woman." Riley grinned and braced his forearms on the table.Nolan's mind brought up an image of Yvonne smiling at him. But she wasn't his."When are you two getting hitched?" Vaughn cut the deck, still shuffling.Riley shrugged. "We aren't. At least, not yet.""Bet that drives your mothers crazy.""That's half the fun of it."Vaughn turned his head and looked at Nolan. "In or out?""Out." Nolan wasn't keen on being part of the discussion that would no doubt happen over cards. As much as Douglas Krieger pissed him off, the kid also reminded Nolan a lot of
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 62: Nolan
"I got a phone call that we had an emergency call and I had to go," he said slowly."Before that?"Nolan frowned, trying to recall. That had been a particularly rough morning. The hangover had slowed him down, plus he hadn't wanted to leave.She leaned toward him and lowered her voice. "You seriously don't remember reaching over me to answer my phone?""I answered my phone.""The second time, but the first time you answered my phone." She jabbed her finger at her collar bone. "You spent five minutes arguing with my father about why he was calling you.""Oh, fuck." Nolan rubbed his hand across his face. He was conditioned to wake up from a deep sleep to the sound of his phone. He'd answered more than a few calls without his mind fully engaged. "I am-fuck. I'm sorry."Booze and good sex must have really knocked him out harder than he realized if his memory of that morning was this hazy. Was it possible there was more he didn't recall?"Just stay away from my father if at
Aegis Group Lepta Team Chapter 63: Yvonne
Monday. Grimaldi Place, Chevy Chase, MD.YVONNE STARED OUT OF the limo at the old family home her mother had inherited. The place was like a museum. Or a tomb.God, why were they coming here?She knew why.The historic home in Chevy Chase put them within driving distance of contacts in Washington that might help Douglas' problems go away. Mom was also doing her best to transition both Dad and Douglas to living there full-time from their residence in New York.What Yvonne really wanted to do was board a plane and head west. To her real home. Her little condo might not be much, and she didn't spend the time there that she'd like, but it was hers. Away from family where she could breathe. There wouldn't be nosey knocks and well meaning questions if she were there.She'd been sick once during their trek home and it had been on the jet. Everyone had given her a wide berth since then, even Nolan. For which she was grateful.There'd been a point when she'd wanted to undo her
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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.
