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Chapter 145
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Aegis Group Chapter 146
ZAIN PARKED THE FIAT in one of the service entry parking spaces. That Crystal's parents had need of a service entry was weird enough. That the spaces were almost full was even stranger.The main house was a four-story, modern construction made to look old and stately, yet with all the latest conveniences. The two-story cottage down the walk where Crystal lived was larger than most family homes and yet next to where her parents called home, it looked small and modest in comparison.Andrea was here. Behind eight-foot fences. With a security guard on watch. And a police unit on patrol. She was here and she was safe. She didn't need him, but he needed her.He was halfway to the house when his phone rang.It was nearing four in the morning. What the hell?He glanced at the screen, expecting it to be Max-instead it was Gavin. With the time difference, it was close to six for the kid and he was not an early riser. So what was the emergency?"Yeah?" Zain said, answering the phone.
Aegis Group Chapter 147
THE SUN WAS COMING up and Andrea's eyelids were getting heavy, yet she still couldn't let herself close them. Every time she did, she saw Kevin's face.Zain sat on the love seat a few feet away, but it felt like a greater distance was being wedged between them. She was the one who usually pulled away. Now she was on the receiving end. She didn't like it"Oh-it's dad. Mind if I pause this?" Crystal asked."No, go ahead," Zain said. He'd somehow managed to avoid being covered in cats, unlike Andrea.It wasn't that she didn't like them. She did. They just shed and left her covered in a fur coat she couldn't take off. She stared down at a black cat named January who was particularly fond of her. His big, amber eyes were partially closed.Okay, so she could see having one cat. Like January. But she wasn't going to be a crazy cat lady like Crystal."Hey, dad." Crystal got up, hauling a cat off with her into the big living room.Zain turned, his gaze warm. Familiar. Welcome."
Aegis Group Chapter 148
Andrea loved him.The thought resonated inside of her, the scary reality of it immobilizing her for a moment.She loved him.When the hell had that happened?Andrea wanted to run, wanted to hide under the bed or in a closet, but that would mean not being near Zain. And she couldn't see that as an option. Either she had to stop loving him or get over this new need for him. She didn't like those choices.He pulled her up against his chest, swooping down for a hot kiss, his tongue thrusting into her mouth. He tugged her hoodie off, taking her tank top with it. Since she and Crystal had vastly different bra sizes and Andrea's was pretty much disgusting, she hadn't bothered to put one on after her shower. She fought the urge to cover herself and kept her arms down by her sides."What's wrong?" Zain asked. "Do you want me to stop?"She had no doubt he would stop-and then she'd die. Or want to die.Andrea shook her head. She couldn't speak without fear of what would come out o
Aegis Group Chapter 149
ZAIN COULDN'T LOOK AWAY from Andrea's slowly widening gaze.Why was he still talking?Could he just shut up already?Of the list of things he should not be saying, he'd covered at least half of them in a few sentences. He needed to put a sock in it now, but the damage might already have been done. Especially if her wide-eyed, staring at the ceiling gaze was anything to go by.He clenched his teeth together.Andrea wrapped her hand around his prosthetic, holding it tight, if her white knuckles were anything to go by.Zain opened his mouth to say something-smooth it all over-but the words were stuck in his throat. He didn't want to take back what he'd said. He'd meant it."I have a bad habit." Andrea was still staring at the ceiling.Of what? Letting guys fall in love with her and then crushing their souls? Or was it just him?"Okay." He swallowed and steeled himself for the let-down."I ruin relationships. I like someone and I get scared of where it's going. That I'm
Aegis Group Chapter 150
ANDREA SNIPPED TAGS OFF the new jeans and stepped into them. There were serious perks that came with having a loaded friend. At some point, while they slept through most of the day, one of Crystal's family employees had been dispatched to get her something to wear. Probably because Crystal's parents were appalled by anyone in sweatpants. Judging by the near perfect fit, Andrea could only assume that someone in the Great House had her sizes on file. Not surprising, since she'd done a fair amount of laundry here, and it seemed like any time she voiced a preference someone remembered it."Andrea," Crystal bellowed from somewhere below, "food's here!"Andrea slid her feet into fuzzy slippers and checked her phone. Zain had woken up first, showered and was gone before she'd managed to get both eyes open.No messages.What was he up to?Where'd he gone?And why did it hurt so much to not have him near her?She packed up her emotional mess and headed downstairs, collecting a tra
Aegis Group Chapter 151
"ADMIRAL-""Lloyd, what the hell is going on? I thought you were on vacation."Zain swallowed. Admiral Crawford's Louisiana accent only got this thick when he was really pissed."I am still technically on vacation, sir." Zain pulled the blinds in the room he'd shared with Andrea and peered out onto the well-manicured lawn."Then why do I have a new job on my desk? For you, of all people. And why are you working Gavin round the clock? That damn boy slept here last night.""There was a situation during the convention. I saw an opportunity-""Don't give me that bullshit. You and your cousin are nothing but trouble." Crawford grumbled something uncomplimentary under his breath."I'll pay for whatever this is costing us." Saying those words made Zain a little-a lot-sick to his stomach. But he'd do it. And Andrea would never have to know."You bet you will. What exactly have you gotten yourself into?"Zain kept to the barest of details. The Admiral wasn't a man who liked an
Aegis Group Chapter 152
ANDREA DIDN'T WANT TO move, but she really had to pee. Not that she thought Zain wouldn't let her cuddle up next to him again. She was rather certain he liked her well enough for that. It was the whole getting up part of it.The last episode's credits began to roll.Crystal had fallen asleep on the loveseat at some point, her soft snores melding together with the louder-than-should-be-possible sound of one cat sawing logs right along with her."I need to get up." Andrea squeezed Zain a little bit."No, you don't." He stroked her back."I have to pee.""Then that is a problem."She didn't even try to move.It was so warm and nice snuggled up next to Zain. Moving would be a crime. But she'd also never live down peeing her pants to stay on the couch."Fine. I'm going. We starting Serenity, or what?" She pushed up and swung her legs over the side of the couch."You want to watch that?" He checked the time. "It's a little past midnight.""Maybe? I don't know. I can't t
Aegis Group Chapter 153
ZAIN SQUEEZED ANDREA'S HAND as they joined the flow of employees into the Dark Matter offices north of downtown Seattle. She released her hold on him and grabbed the door. He hesitated a moment, letting a few feet of space separate them.He wanted to hang back, to observe who spoke to Andrea, anyone that commented on the bruising or scratches. Plus, if anyone recognized him, they'd probably been at the con. Or was the real suspect. He didn't doubt for a second that the real bad guys were aware of his presence. Kevin would have been an idiot to not tell someone about him.The offices were exactly what Crystal and Andrea had described them to be. Sleek. Modern. Contemporary. Full of dude clutter. The entry looked a lot like a guy's playground, with several gaming set ups waiting to be turned on and two posters of Dark Matter's flagship game sporting scantily-clad women with heaving breasts.Everyone headed upstairs, by way of either an elevator or a staircase that led to an open-se
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Aegis Group Chapter 490: Epilogue.
Two months later. Ekko's Apartment, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.EKKO STARED AT THE table with the spread of food laid out.Was there enough? Did she need more? Would Coco and Paxton like it?She reached out and adjusted the tray of cheese so it was at more of an angle instead of perfectly aligned to everything else.It looked too neat."Stop." Silas took her hand and spun her toward him, capturing her against his chest with strong arms around her waist."It looks like I'm trying too hard." She smoothed her hands up and over his shoulders."Stop. It's just Paxton and Coco.""Your best friend and his fiancé, who I haven't met yet.""What?" Silas' face scrunched up. "You've talked to her dozens of times.""In the background of you and Paxton talking. That doesn't count." She pulled away from him and proceeded to turn dishes a little this way and that."You do realize Coco spends most days digging in elephant shit and stuff, right?""Silas." She scowled at him."What?" He gr
Aegis Group Chapter 489: Thursday. New York Hospital, New York.
IT FELT LIKE THE weight Silas had been carrying around in his gut had now attached itself to his eyelids. He floated in darkness, no longer asleep but not yet awake. Someone had called this twilight once, though he couldn't recall who. Something wouldn't let him go back to sleep. There was something he needed to do. It was urgent.What the hell was it?That nagging question hounded him as he ever so slowly gathered his strength.He wasn't aware of time or how long it took to wrestle one eyelid open, but at long last he peered out of his darkness into...more darkness.Well that was just dandy. What the fuck?He blinked that one eye again, letting his vision adjust. He was in a room and there was a light on, it just didn't do much.Machines beeped and whirled around him.That was a sound he could never mistake and it told him the first piece of his puzzle. From there the others fell into place, one after another.He was still in the hospital.He'd been hurt.There was a fight.
Aegis Group Chapter 488: Wednesday. Unknown, New York City, New York.
EKKO CLUNG TO THE stretcher bearing Silas out to the parking lot.She hadn't realized how bad his injuries were. He was barely keeping his eyes open. Tears leaked out of her eyes as she kept pace with the two paramedics. Silas covered her hand with his as they came to a stop at the bumper of an ambulance.Paxton, Brett and Vito were sitting inside. They were worse for wear and grim, but seemed okay.All around them police were marching uninjured people they'd arrested to sit in a line next to a chain-link fence blocking the sidewalk. The night was lit up with swirling lights that made her head spin."Where's Chayan?" she asked. Her heart was tearing in two, aching for both men.A little distance away an ambulance took off, sirens blaring. She hoped it was the one with Pasley in it."Ma'am, I need to look at that wound," a paramedic said to her.She held tight to Silas' hand. "What about Chayan? Older man, little taller than me? Salt and pepper hair?"Silas had said he was fine.
Aegis Group Chapter 487: Wednesday. New York City, New York.
IGNEY PACED IN A circle, looking down each hall in turn.Where were they? Had he miscalculated? Were they willing to lose the woman so long as they got the man?His orders were clear. Get both the man and the woman.The woman was a symbol. Too many young people had taken to the streets because they listened to others like her.The man though, he knew things.Killing the woman was personal. Chasing her had cast him in a bad light. But the man was more important in the grand scheme of things."Fuck," Igney muttered. He glanced at a pair of men striding for the doors. "You. Come here."The men never glanced at him. Because they didn't understand him?He whirled to face Alban. "Where are the others?""I don't know where Delem and Michil are." He grimaced. "I haven't heard from them since we split up to search the building."That wasn't good.Igney had heard a lot of gunfire. Was it possible the other men he'd brought with him were dead?If both Chayan and Pasley escaped, leavin
Aegis Group Chapter 486: Wednesday. Unknown, New York City, New York.
EKKO'S ONE OFFENSIVE ATTEMPT was an utter failure. Her head spun and she was going to be sick.This wasn't good.She felt like a ragdoll being drug around, first by Igney then another man she didn't recognize. He spoke Daurian though which could only mean one thing.He was London DSS.Her body chilled. Was that from fear or the blows to the head? She didn't know anymore."Come find me, Pasley, or your little bird dies," Igney cackled into the radio.She tasted bile.Pasley had called her little bird back in the park.Igney cackled like a bad movie villain. The man was enjoying this. He was getting off on torturing them all.What about Silas?Pasley was with him.If Pasley told Silas, if he knew, they would come for her. Silas was determined to bring them all home and to keep her safe. But if he did, if he came to her rescue, Igney would kill them. Igney needed her and Chayan. Which meant he couldn't kill her here and now. It was an empty threat. Wasn't it? Did she dare belie
Aegis Group Chapter 485: Wednesday. Unknown, New York City, New York.
SILAS PUSHED HIS GROUP hard as they traversed the second floor. The sun had fully set, plunging them into complete darkness where there weren't windows or other lights.This building was a damn maze, and every turn they needed was blocked by too many people to fight their way through.There had to be more than the fifteen or so they'd estimated. More like thirty.This wasn't good.What about Ekko? Where had the others gone to?He'd hoped getting down here meant they would find her and Paxton, but so far all they'd found were a few bodies. At least they knew Paxton and Brett were eliminating the other side. But no one had taken the ammo or guns. Why? When resources were this precious, why not take them?Could they have gotten free? Did he dare hope?Something thumped in the darkness. Like a heavy footfall.Silas cursed himself as he skidded to a stop. He didn't see anything, but his gut screamed at him. He pivoted and threw himself at Chayan, shoving the other man aside. Silas w
Aegis Group Chapter 484: Wednesday. Unknown, New York City, New York.
THE DARKNESS FELT AS if it were swallowing her.Ekko clung to the back of Paxton's shirt like he'd directed. She couldn't shake the sensation that there were hands out there reaching for her. That Igney or one of the others were biding their time and waiting for the chance to kill her.Where was Silas? What about Chayan and the others?They'd been separated before she realized what was going on.Behind them a burst of gunfire spurred her on, shattering the silence.She knew it was Brett. Was he trading gunfire with someone? Those shots all sounded the same to her. She hoped he was safe. He was only one man and they had no idea how many were behind them."Stay close." Paxton reached back and pressed her hand to his back.Her head pounded with each and every step. It hurt so bad, but she didn't want to say anything. Her pain was minimal compared to what could happen."Will you cut that out?" Paxton yelled behind them.He side stepped and sort of skipped through a narrow gap betw
Aegis Group Chapter 483: Wednesday. Unknown, New York City, New York.
SILAS GRIT HIS TEETH to keep from telling Paxton to hurry the fuck up. It wasn't like Paxton was slow. The knife on his belt tool was small and no doubt dulled after cutting through several sets of thick, plastic restraints.Sitting like this it felt as though there was a ten pound weight sitting on his guts. He didn't know what the knife had cut, but Silas knew from the woozy feeling and blood making his jeans sticky it wasn't good. He had to get the others out of here before his clock ran out."Which way did they bring you up?" Silas asked Brett instead of chafing at how long getting free was taking.Brett stood by the door, a discarded piece of wood held as a weapon. "We came in some doors, up a stair to our right then a long walk down here. You?""Different way." Silas grimaced. "Do we retrace our path, or avoid it? How many people were with you?"Brett grimaced. They'd been hooded when they arrived. "Hard to say.""Let's assume at least the three that came in here plus one o
Aegis Group Chapter 482: Wednesday. Unknown, New York City, New York.
EKKO STARED IN SHOCK, her head spinning as the men left the room again."S-Silas?" she whispered so softly she barely heard herself.He slumped sideways groaning.Had that man-that monster-just stabbed Silas?"Man, Silas, dude, talk to us." Paxton had scooted forward, his arms extended behind him, attention on Silas."I'm fine." Silas' voice was strained. "Brett, Vito, how are you two?""Alive," Brett groaned."Vito? Man?" Silas shook his head and sat up straighter."Fine."This was it.Ekko swallowed.They'd done everything and in the end, they were outplayed.The DSS would kill them. She wasn't sure why they hadn't already, but she didn't doubt that death was the final move. All of these people, they were going to die because she'd been arrogant. She'd thought she knew what she was doing, when in fact she hadn't a clue.A sob tore out of Ekko making her already aching head pound harder."Ekko?" Silas called out. "Ekko, listen to me, this is going to be okay. Pax?"A ch
