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Chapter 339: Candi, Nadine
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2022-11-24 14:23:07Related chapters
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 340: Candi
Sunday.CANDI GRIPPED THE STEERING wheel with both hands. She was grateful for the attention driving required of her. It kept her from staring at Q, wondering what he was thinking. It did not do anything to keep her urge to talk in check. And after last night, that was going to be a problem.For starters, he hadn't acknowledged last night save for the searing kiss earlier. She'd been so flustered that she'd fled into the bathroom for her shower. A small part of her had hoped he'd saunter in and join her, despite what she'd said to him. That was clearly too much to hope for. Though if he had, she wasn't sure how she'd have reacted. Last night she'd had a whole lot more courage than she did now.When she'd come out of the shower, Q had thrown on shorts and their things were mostly packed.Still not a word or comment from him about last night.From that moment forward, he'd been in his serious mode. Normally she didn't have problems continuing to prod and needle him. This was
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 341: Candi
Her eyes were locked on the road, but every fiber in her being was aware of him. She swallowed and fought the urge to fan herself.Had she thought it was cold in here?Now she was practically sweating.Candi couldn't help the things she said. Okay, she didn't try to. Especially not around him. Years of conditioning had her expecting nothing in return. And now, here they were. Free to do whatever they wanted with each other."This complicates everything," she said."It was complicated before. Now we're just a bit more honest about it. There are things we can't talk about. But one thing you never have to guess about are my feelings for you. Understand?"She nodded.He was so close now she couldn't see the side mirror around him. Damn needing to watch the road. He bored holes into the side of her skull. "While we're talking about this, I'd like to agree on something else."Oh boy. Now what?"And that is?" she asked."No flirting. With other people, I mean." He shook
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 342: Quentin
Sunday. Atlanta, GA.QUENTIN WISHED TIME WOULD stand still. He knew that was impossible. And yet, he wanted this afternoon to never end.As they left the library, he swore he could still hear the minute hand ticking down the moments.After their early lunch they'd agreed the best way to spend the afternoon was by doing their separate research. The library was the best place for it. Hiding their digital trail was easy enough and they didn't attract much attention in such a public and diverse space.He'd spent the better part of the afternoon pouring over various history books, looking for something to jog his memory or make him think of a detail that had slipped his mind. But most of all, he'd cherished the quiet time he got to spend with Candi.Now, heading into a crowded bar, he found himself unreasonably irritated with everything from the music selection to the smell of booze.The basis for this?He didn't want to share Candi. Not with a bar full of people and especi
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 343: Quentin
Was Quentin watching too closely? Should he tone it down?No one was looking for him as far as he knew.Candi pulled out her laptop as soon as they got into the car, leaving him with his thoughts. They weren't anything new, just the same old merry go round of questions and doubts. He drove them across town to another cheap place where cash and no ID was just fine.Whatever lead Candi was following had her entire attention. She barely glanced up from the laptop, just walking from the car to the room. He chuckled and let her be while he grabbed their things from the trunk. He went through the routine of stashing their stuff and ensuring all entry points were as secure as possible."Do you have to flaunt your tight ass so much?" Candi said into the silence.Her words in the quiet startled him. Only until he worked through her question.It was the old Candi back again.A grin spread across his face, and he turned to face her. "What?"Candi's laptop was closed and she lay on
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 344: Candi
Monday. Hotel, Atlanta, GA.CANDI SLID HER FINGERS over the rough sheets. Seriously, they had the texture of paper towels yet were somehow indestructible. What was with that?Q shifted in his sleep. The arm around her waist tightened.She smiled into the darkness as warmth suffused her body.It was like he never wanted to let go.Reality nibbled at the edges of her mind. She shoved it away. For now, in the darkness, she could have the dream. Even if it came with a lumpy bed and weird linens.The alarm clock glared at her from the bedside table.Two o' clock.Mom had always called this the witching hour. Candi could still remember the first time she'd done true research. She'd been trying to find out how, exactly, the witching hour worked. What she'd found instead was a myriad of folk tales and superstition. Her younger self had been quite disappointed in that revelation. However, she would never forget the thrill of diving into it and figuring things out for herself.
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 345: Quentin
Monday. Unknown.QUENTIN KNEW TRYING TO see through the black hood was pointless. It didn't stop him from trying.Who were these people? Were they associated with Metis? Or were they Nadine's men? Had she finally caught up to Quentin?The half hour or so they'd spent in the van hadn't told Quentin anything. There were at least five men, and if he so much as twitched, one of them was on him. They hadn't, however, been as rough with Candi. Gender bias, or was this an order?That point alone made him question if Nadine was involved at all. He didn't picture her as the forgiving type given the grudge she must have against Candi for almost uncovering her."Put them in here," a new voice ordered."Together, or...?""Put them in here.""Alright. Shit."So not a well-oiled team.That could work in their favor.How the hell was Quentin going to get them out of this?Light loomed ahead. Finally. It was easier to make out things with enough light. He had the sense that
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 346: Quentin
Quentin should have tried to cut the bonds on his wrist.The footsteps were loud. And quick. Candi was right, that was only one person.Quentin put his back to the wall, opposite where the person would look. He twisted his arms in opposite directions, doing his best to get some slack in the bonds."Stay back, understand me?" he said to Candi.Unlike her, he had training.The steps were just on the other side of the door. There was one last step, then a pause. The door clanged as it opened. Quentin let the guy step inside, then dropped his shoulder and rammed the door shut on the man. The masked stranger yelped in surprise. But instead of trying to flee like Quentin had feared, the man covered his head and threw himself into the room.The door shut, locking them all inside.The man rolled away from Quentin. He rushed after him. Closing the distance, he drew back his right leg."Wait! Candi, it's me! Wait!" a man shouted.She shot to her feet."Wesley?"Quentin stag
Last Updated : 2022-11-24Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 347: Quentin
Quentin nudged Sprigg toward the wall.Those shots would bring more people after them. And if those two who had seen them were smart, they'd call it in to whoever was running this thing. That would undoubtedly make their escape more complicated.That said, Quentin didn't recall more than two turns on their walk into the room where they'd been held.Somewhere up ahead they'd turn left and then left again.He glanced at the cylinder. There was a doorway on the other side if they could get past all this junk."Sprigg? I need you to listen to me. We're going to climb through this stuff and go through the doorway on our left. Understand? Hopefully we'll run into the others. If not, we'll get out of here on our own and meet up with them later, okay?""Just get me out of here, man.""Stay close and watch behind us. I can't see everything."Quentin squeezed between a pipe and two barrels stacked end on end. Sprigg wriggled after him. Voices echoed off the concrete.Reinforcem
Last Updated : 2022-11-24
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Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 374: Quentin, Epilogue
A week later...QUENTIN WISHED HE COULD savor this moment. He slapped the cuffs on the pint-sized asshole who'd had Candi's life in the palm of his hand that fateful night. Was it just a week ago?This should be more satisfying.It was, in a way.Eleven perfectly timed arrests effectively cut off all the heads of Metis. According to Nadine's notes, there was still one unknown head of the organization out there. But they were not alone. Metis itself wouldn't be ordering the death of anyone else. But it didn't bring Nadine back. It didn't restore the time Quentin had lost with Candi. It did make the world a little better, and in the end that's what mattered. Nadine's final acts were all about sacrifice and justice.Quentin stepped back as the FBI agents continued doing their job.He'd been granted permission to be here. As CIA, he had no jurisdiction nor the ability to make an arrest. Still, putting those cuffs on the little asshole felt good.Nadine would be pleased.
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 373: Candi
Sunday. Clementine Baker's Home, Washington, DC.CANDI CLUTCHED Q'S HAND in both of hers. "Is this it?""Yeah," he whispered.They stared at the moderate sized home in a DC suburb. Now and wind pelted them. Her teeth chattered. And yet, it felt good. The bone chilling cold reminded her that she was alive."Are we going to knock?" she asked."No. Come on. The FBI lookouts know why we're here."Q led her through the yard and a side gate. A uniformed police officer sat at the first-floor window watching them. Q nodded. Candi lifted a hand, but let it drop to her side without actually waving."This way."Solar lights chased away the shadows, making it less ominous. In a few hours, the world would wake up to a blanket of new snow. A clean slate.Candi didn't know how to feel right now.On one hand, they'd found Nadine. They'd done what they'd set out to do.But, Nadine was dead. Her final act had been to save Q and give them the means with which to combat two threat
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 372: Quentin
Small hands shoved Quentin sideways a second before bullets erupted into the night.Quentin yelled. It was mixed rage and fear. He staggered sideways, only for Nadine to shove at him again."Move, damn it," she barked.They dove behind the shelter of a single boulder. This side of the creek the ground was rockier.Quentin yanked his sidearm out of his holster and sucked down air.Unlike the men at their back, Quentin didn't have unlimited ammunition. Not unless he took theirs."Give me a gun," Nadine hissed.He still couldn't trust her. "No.""Damn you," she growled."Come out and it'll be quick," a voice called out.Nadine laid a finger across her lips and stared him down.He opened his mouth, but she spoke first."You can't think I'm that stupid," she said. With her other hand she pointed back down the way they'd come.She wanted him to go to the creek?"I think you know what your options are," the man called out.Quentin's head knew he couldn't trust Na
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 371: Quentin
Saturday. Harper's Ferry, VA.QUENTIN KEPT AN ARM right around Nadine and held to the broken stub of a branch. The ground beneath them had started to crumble. He wasn't convinced that they'd keep their perch if he let go.Damn it.Every time they made a move someone was in their path. And it wasn't always the same pair.Were all six circling him and Nadine? Did that mean they'd captured Candi? Or had she gotten away?He'd heard a couple of shots off in the distance. Could it be...?No.He had to keep his mind here and now.Quentin strained to hear anything. A leaf on the wind. The crunch of a boot. Something.To Nadine's credit, even her breathing was soundless.Could he trust her to not turn on him?He didn't think so.She leaned toward him until she could whisper ever so faintly in his ear. "Now."He understood her meaning. They were both watching and waiting for an opening. Words were unnecessary risks.One thing was certain, he could trust Nadine to h
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 370: Candi
Candi's heart raced as she watched the man kneel by the bag and yank the zipper.She lunged left, behind a tree and drew her weapon.Overhead, there was no mistaking the whining whirl of helicopter blades. It might not be anyone friendly, but DC was about a half hour away by air. They'd called Q's contacts about forty-five minutes ago.Could that be help? More enemies? Something else?She didn't know, but she had to hope. She had to believe this wasn't how it was going to end."Hey!" the man barked. "Get back out here.""Keep the cash and let me go, no one has to know." She clicked the safety off the gun.Candi had mostly blocked out the fact that she'd shot and killed someone after being kidnapped. Now, it was on repeat in her mind.Could she do it again?If she got to tell Q she loved him-again-she'd pull the trigger.Her hands shook.The leaves rustled underfoot, allowing her to track the man's movements. She shifted around the tree, keeping it between them.
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 369: Candi
Saturday. Harper's Ferry, VA.CANDI CROUCHED BETWEEN THE rotted out remnants of a tree and a dense holly bush. This was as close as she could get to the house without being seen.Where had Q and Nadine gotten to?Candi had run out of the house, unable to hear anything beyond the blood pumping in her ears. She'd pushed ahead, convinced those men were right behind her. The only thought in her head was that she couldn't lag behind or else Q would have to leave her.Only, it had happened the other way around.She didn't know when or how Q got separated from her, but when she'd paused to turn around and look, he was gone.Her teeth chattered together. Had something been on the news about a cold front? The winter had been awfully mild so far. It would be their luck for snow to settle in today.Please, no...Where were they?She cautiously peered out through the branches.All but one of the men who'd arrived at the house had gone into the woods.Was this a bad idea?
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 368: Nadine
Friday. Harper's Ferry, VA.THIS WAS A DISASTER of her making.The stitch in Nadine's side felt like a knife was being plunged into her. That, or her scar tissue was warning her about the turning weather. The warm spell was most certainly over."This way," Quentin whispered.Her heart twinged.This was her fault.She was going to get this boy killed. And for what?Over the years, she'd lost her focus. She'd become a leaf, being blown about with no respite. She'd done things to stay afloat, things she regretted.Like involving Quentin.He didn't know it yet, but she wasn't leaving this forest alive."Shit," Quentin muttered."What-?"She never got the question out. Her foot slipped on the underbrush then she tripped on a root. Only, the ground wasn't where she thought it should be. She pitched forward and just kept going. Her shoulder hit the steep incline first, then the rest of her. Limbs tore at her clothing. Rocks scraped her skin. Something rubbery smacke
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 367: Quentin
Friday. Safe House, Unknown, VA.QUENTIN HELD TIGHT TO Candi's hand. He kept glancing at her to make sure she was really there and he hadn't imagined her dramatic return. He had the urge to leave Nadine here and run away with Candi, somewhere it would be just the two of them forever.Instead, he secured the front door then stood in the entry staring at her."And here I thought you'd finally grown a brain," Nadine said dryly.Candi held up her other hand, extending just her middle finger in Nadine's direction.Quentin's phone buzzed. He knew before he pulled it out that it was Wesley. Quentin turned the screen toward Candi. She shrugged and didn't offer any insight into what he should say or do.He clicked the answer button and put it on speaker."Wesley, hey.""Is she there?" Wesley's voice was flat, emotionless.Quentin glanced at Candi. "Yeah."Wesley sighed heavily. "Damn it.""You're on speaker," Candi said."Do you have any idea what I sacrificed to help
Aegis Group Task Force Chapter 366: Candi
Friday.CANDI SLUMPED DOWN A bit more. Wesley gripped the steering wheel like he was on a race course. From where she sat, she could see the speed wavering between five and ten over the speed limit.He couldn't wait to get away from Q.Her heart nearly seized up just thinking that.She wrapped her arms around her more tightly, as if she could hold herself together with strength alone.It felt like history repeating itself.She had to leave because of Nadine for her own good.While Q remained where he was.Candi understood his resolve to carry through with his job. She really did. But her heart couldn't help but feel abandoned. Again.Q had chosen Nadine once over her, and now it was happening again.Yes, Candi knew it was different. This was about doing the right thing and protecting themselves."You're awfully quiet," Wesley finally said."Know your audience," she mumbled.He glanced at her. His sunglasses hid his eyes and made it impossible to guess at wh
