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Chapter 22: Cool-off period.
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Aegis Group Chapter 23: A monster in human clothes.
BLISS SQUEEZED HER EYES SHUT.Daniel grunted, and a wet, sloppy pop resounded through the RV."Oh, God," the man chained up on the floor next to her muttered.Don't look. Don't look."There," Daniel said in triumph.He grunted again, and something hit the floor next to her. Warm liquid splashed her hands.Bile coated the back of her throat and her head pounded."You monster, freak," the hillbilly spat. He rattled the short chain that bound him to the bench. At some point the duct tape around his boots had come undone."Monster?" Daniel parroted back."Be quiet," Bliss whispered. As long as Daniel was preoccupied with the dead guy, he wouldn't bother them. It was too late for him, but she and the other man could still survive this. Couldn't they? She had to wonder if it was worth surviving. If this was going to be her life, did she want to live it?"Freak?" Daniel's footsteps rounded the end of the table.He was just a few feet away."That's my cousin," her fello
Aegis Group Chapter 24: Bloody reunion.
A SCREAM RENT THE AIR.Travis stilled. He didn't even have to hold up his hand, everyone froze.The sound reverberated on the rocks, through the trees. It was almost impossible to tell where it came from, but he knew.That was Bliss.She was alive.For now."That way," Mason said."Wait, we don't know-""I do." Mason jabbed his finger to the south and east. Toward Cascade Lake. "I grew up tracking in the mountains. That way."Another scream, this time shorter, spurred them on.Mason took point, loping easily over the snow, kicking up a spray of white powder in his wake. Travis and Ethan flanked the kid to either side, keeping six to ten feet apart. The terrain was tricky, and the snow disguised roots and rocks that tried to trip them up.Adrenaline pushed Travis onward. His hands were near frozen, so he gripped his gun and the handle of his knife tighter."Oh my God," Bliss yelled.A man shouted incoherent words.Mason veered to their left, slowing his pace.
Aegis Group Chapter 25: Her protector.
BLISS PERCHED ON THE hospital bed, her hands gripping the thin blanket they'd given her. Her feet and fingers were still cold. No matter what anyone did, she couldn't seem to get warm.The nurse said she was still in shock, or something like that.At least the nurse had stopped talking to her and was going straight to Travis now.Travis.He'd rescued her.They hadn't said more than a dozen words to each other, but he hadn't left her side. Not for a single instant."Bliss?" Travis' hand rested on her shoulder, shaking her out of her deep well of thoughts."Hm?" She blinked at him. She'd missed something important, but for the life of her she couldn't recall what had been said."The doctor wants to keep you here to monitor you. I'd rather keep you close.""Yes," she said, cutting him off."Yes-what?""I want to stay with you."Travis meant safety. With him, there was no fear, no sense of dread. So long as he was there, everything would be okay.He's saved her.
Aegis Group Chapter 26: Safe in his arms. For now.
TRAVIS STARED AT THE map without seeing it. Every fiber of his body was acutely tuned in to the woman on the sofa.It was almost midnight. The local law enforcement were either out manning roadblocks or at home with their families, leaving the FBI, Travis, and Mason to keep watch over Bliss and formulate a plan for what came next.Some of them were keeping a little too close to her.Connor Mullins barked out a laugh at something Bliss said. Travis couldn't hear them. Not that he hadn't tried.She should be in bed, getting rest, instead of down here with the rest of them. Evidence and case details were everywhere. Why the hell were they subjecting her to this?Because she was now their best lead.Knowing the answer didn't placate him in the least.He wanted to bundle her up, lock her away, and keep her safe. But wasn't his involvement what got her here in the first place? If he'd made her stay put and gone in for Wendy on his own, Daniel would have fixated on him. Or split
Aegis Group Chapter 27: A Christmas nightmare.
BLISS' NOSE ITCHED, BUT she didn't dare move. It had to be early morning sometime. Already she could hear sounds below and the occasional door open or close on their floor. Any moment Travis would wake up, and they would have to face whatever today held in store for her.She hadn't slept as much as dozed off and on until her body just decided it was time to be awake. Though her dreams were uneasy, they hadn't terrorized her like before. A difference she attributed to Travis' presence.It was Christmas Day.Usually she would pack up her car and head to her parents' house for a busy morning of presents and baking. It didn't feel like the holidays anymore, though Travis had given her a present. Her freedom.Guilt gnawed at her. Out there, she hadn't believed he would save her, and he had. Then last night, she'd doubted him again when she allowed fear to cloud her judgment. It wasn't his fault Daniel was crazier than they thought. She'd allowed herself to be in the wrong place at t
Aegis Group Chapter 28: Unwanted advice.
TRAVIS THANKED THE NURSE and entered the ICU bay, Mason on his heels. Ethan's body was relaxed, his head lolling to one side at an angle that was bound to leave a crick."What the fuck are you doing here?" Ethan's words were slurred and quiet. The anesthesia hadn't worn off yet."Making sure they took the right leg." Travis reached over and prodded Ethan's left knee."You rat bastard. Stop." Ethan pushed Travis' hand away."Looks like they knew what they were doing." He stepped back and hooked his thumbs in his pockets.They'd been here a few times over the years. Sometimes they'd been in beds next to each other. Every time they'd pulled through."What'd the doc say?" Mason asked."Like I fucking know." Ethan was perhaps the grumpiest when he was hurt. His soon-to-be ex-wife had often commented on his inability to handle pain or a little direction. Over the years she'd lost the fondness for his grouchy behavior. Maybe Travis should have seen their split coming, but he did
Aegis Group Chapter 29: Home for the holidays is over-rated.
DANIEL DROPPED THE TOOL belt onto the bed. The right uniform, and no one cared what he was up to. Just went to show how stupid people were. The lot of them were only good for one thing: dying.He checked the camera feed he set up that morning. The camera didn't tell him more than who came and went at the FBI cabin headquarters, but at least he knew when certain members were there.Bliss hadn't set foot out of the building since she went in. He'd seen her through a few windows, enough to know the FBI hadn't spirited her away somewhere else. They were making this easy for him.By the end of the year he'd have Wendy and Bliss all to himself. And then he could get started. No one would find them, because they were all going to die.***BLISS CLUTCHED A PILLOW to her chest and tried to focus on the Christmas Day parade on the television. The FBI apparently didn't know how to take a day off and were already discussing routes of escape Daniel could have taken. Try as she might
Aegis Group Chapter 30: Holiday gifts.
TRAVIS GRABBED A SODA at random and a chocolate bar one of the officers had offered up. Bliss' tears were stuck on repeat in his mind, and he could still hear her trembling voice as she recounted every agonizing moment they'd been apart. He wanted to make all kinds of promises like she'd never be afraid again, that he'd never leave her, but those were irrational.What she needed now was time to pull herself together. Sweets were one good tool to help combat the drop in blood sugar.Jade entered the kitchen, her gaze on him. "She's upstairs. Give her a few."He nodded. Words were out of his power now. All he wanted to do was punch something. Preferably Daniel Campbell, but he'd settle for the punching bag downstairs."You aren't any use to her if you can't be calm." Jade pitched her voice low, for their ears alone."I am calm.""I tried talking to her, but she wasn't interested.""I imagine she's pretty talked out." He couldn't deny the satisfaction that it was him she tur
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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
