LOGINShare
Chapter 301
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Aegis Group Chapter 302
CARSON DIDN'T LIKE BEING in the open like this. She wanted her family to get here so someone could whisk them away to safety. So she could beg for forgiveness. Anything was better than sitting here doing nothing.An SUV so dark blue it looked black pulled into the parking lot next to the coffee stand.She froze, staring at the vehicle.Her stomach knotted up.Carson knew that SUV."About damn time," Ryan muttered.She gripped him tighter and opened her mouth, but couldn't make words come out.That wasn't the police.Agent Walker got out of the driver's seat, his partner no doubt remaining behind and out of sight. He fastened the top button of his jacket before ambling toward them.Where was her sister? What about their parents?She could feel the security of Ryan's plan slipping away from her.Agent Walker wasn't going to give up his goals without a fight."Miss Adair, I was hoping we wouldn't meet like this." He came to a stop at the other side of their circular table.Ry
Aegis Group Chapter 303
RYAN KEPT ONE HAND on Carson's lower back as he guided her out of the elevator and back into the Aegis Group offices. Last night he'd thought they would undoubtedly be ensconced in a safe house making awkward new boyfriend talk with her parents. That was before he'd realized how much the agents didn't give a fuck about who got screwed in their investigation.Merida was already sitting at her desk, frowning at her monitor, hands working furiously on the keys."Morning," Ryan said."Ian has everyone in the command room waiting for you," Merida said without skipping a beat.His second phone call after reaching out to Detective Blew had been to contact the office and bring the guys up to date. Yesterday when Carson had been clearly kidnapped from the gas station down the street from his house, there'd been no doubt about their team jumping in to save her. A victim only had so many hours to live once they were taken. They couldn't waste a single minute.Today was different.They'd han
Aegis Group Chapter 304
"WHAT DO YOU THINK our chances are of bringing her family back alive?" Ryan had an idea, but he wasn't a numbers guy. He went where he was told and did the best job he could."Shit." Ian shook his head and turned away.The silence stretched on for another moment.No one wanted to answer."I figure we're at twenty-five percent," Alec said."And that shrinks every hour they're gone?" Ryan didn't need to hear the answer. "What do we know so far? Where are we?""I've been putting a timeline together this morning with Owen's help." Alec tapped the remote, and the screen changed. "This morning at roughly eight you met with Detective Blew and Agent King, though Owen's strictly off the record so he's not represented on any of this. According to Blew, he got in his car and immediately made arrangements for protective custody of the four Adairs, plus one-being Ryan. That order was pushed through and then there's a span of a few hours here while preparation is being made for the two o'clock
Aegis Group Chapter 305
CARSON COULDN'T HELP BUT feel like this whole scenario was to get her out of the main room so Ryan and the others could talk.They weren't telling her everything, for which she was grateful. She knew her limits, and that she was in over her head. Ryan was saving her, and all she'd done was hurt him.She didn't deserve this.But she couldn't help the frustration gnawing at her. Decisions were being made without her input."How about...this one?" Merida clicked another button.Carson leaned forward and studied the man's face. His cheeks were gaunt, his eyes lifeless."Maybe?" She'd said that about three other potential men, but she couldn't be sure. "I only saw them for a second. Are you sure there weren't security cameras or anything?""The cameras in the garage are at the entrance and exit.""I thought I was safe there." Carson shuddered."Safe is a relative word. For the average person who wants to be able to sleep and feel safe against home invasion or burglary? It is. This
Aegis Group Chapter 306
RYAN HIT SEND ON the text and watched Zain's office door. Carson had held herself together all during planning and the call, but she was beginning to break. Merida had spirited Carson away before she began crying in earnest, but the fractures were there.The door opened and Merida stepped out."How is she?" he asked."Better." Merida crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her chin up. "What are you doing with her?""What am I-? Helping her." Ryan frowned."No, I mean with her." She gestured at the office door and pitched her voice lower. "Ryan, I know you. I know how you are. I'm not judging, but-""It's none of your business.""You've dragged everyone into this situation." Merida pointed her finger at him, her tightly controlled temper burning in her eyes. "You made it our business and that girl in there-""I love her. Is that what you want to hear? She lied to me, and I don't care. Maybe I am a fool and you're all idiots for following me into this, but that's the truth. I
Aegis Group Chapter 307
CARSON'S BACK HIT THE wall. She was at Ryan's mercy, a place she was learning to enjoy. She'd gone from clothed to half dressed before she'd even realized he had a condom."Hold on to me," he said.What other choice did she have?He stared into her eyes, his entire focus on her to the point that for her everything else ceased to matter except this moment. The weight lifted off her shoulders and she could breathe again.She would never understand how Ryan had been attracted to her over every other woman in the bar. She hadn't dressed up particularly nicely, and she'd said maybe a few dozen words to him, but she couldn't deny that from the moment he'd slid up beside her she'd felt a connection. An energy that she didn't know she craved until he stepped into her life.And now she didn't want to give him up. Ever.Ryan hoisted her up higher, and she felt his hardness slide against her.She couldn't look away from him. His gaze bore into her skull, demanding her attention.In the be
Aegis Group Chapter 308
CARSON LAY ON THE sofa, boneless and spent. The stress was still there, but it was periphery. She could breathe, think and feel. That last one she wasn't ready for.She snuggled down deeper into the pillow that still smelled of Ryan.What was she going to do about them? What was going to happen after they got her family back and their lives returned to normal?He plopped down on the sofa next to her and slid his hand down her side in the same mindless fashion she'd grown accustomed to."The guys were never coming in here, were they?" She glared up at him with one eye."Nope." He grinned back."You think you're so cute.""I am.""And so modest.""You know it.""Lord." She rolled her eyes and used the pillow to smother her laugh.He stroked her arm, the tender touches wearing away at her fragile shields, stirring warmth deep in her chest.She cared for him and she didn't know what to do with that knowledge."You're more relaxed. Hungry?" He gestured at her food."Maybe." He
Aegis Group Chapter 309
RYAN STUDIED CARSON ACROSS the table.She wouldn't look at him and she hadn't spoken to him since their conversation in the office. He'd never lied to her, but he also hadn't told her how dangerous this was. There was nothing to be gained from that. Fear would make her indecisive and he needed a confident Carson to carry this forward."Any questions?" Agent Walker asked at the end of the op briefing.A few of the supporting officers from Seattle PD had some points to clarify, but everything else was fine. Except that Carson was still ignoring him."Okay, I want everyone in place in ten. Go." Agent Walker shooed at them like chickens.Ryan disliked that man intensely, but right now he had other things to worry about.He circled the table to where Merida and Carson stood with their heads together. Merida held the bullet-proof vest Carson would wear in one hand and tugged at a strap with the other."I can take it from here." He placed a hand on Carson's shoulder.Both women glance
Latest chapter
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
