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Chapter 335: Thursday. Sibky Park, Damascus, Syria.
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Aegis Group Chapter 336: Thursday. Vara's House, Damascus, Syria.
SHE WAS GONE.Alec had known that the moment he stirred from sleep. It was just a feeling. An awareness of her that was hard-coded into his system, and she was not in the house. He'd gone to check right as the call for morning prayer sounded over the city. Her cold sheets were a testament to her having been gone a while.He hadn't noticed her leaving.Now here he was, almost two hours later, still watching the street.Jules could hardly move. Yesterday had taken a toll on her body and she was currently curled up in bed hugging the hot water bottles he'd found in the kitchen. He didn't think he could move her on his own. Not without a plan or backup or something.He couldn't believe Vara had left them without a note or any kind of warning especially since she knew the kind of danger they were in. Maybe she really was a cold-hearted smuggler. He'd thought she couldn't have changed all that much, but he was beginning to accept that he was wrong. Could she be setting them up? Selling
Aegis Group Chapter 337: Thursday. Damascus, Syria.
I MISSED YOU.Two hours later and those three words were still playing through Vara's head.They'd found a café not far from the spot where she was scheduled to meet with Djinn and were currently doing a great job of not looking at each other.She found it hard to believe Alec had thought twice about her since their fling. She'd been a diversion, just like her mother had said. What kind of man thought about a kid he'd met years ago and only knew for a few months?That was crazy.Then why was he still the man by which she measured all others?The few relationships she'd had were all failed from the start. Even her longest relationship. The only reason she'd dated the attaché guy working for the ambassador was because their schedules barely aligned. It was easy to string that out when they barely saw each other, but eventually she'd faced the facts. He didn't make her feel the way Alec had. So she'd given up on men in general save for a pleasurable distraction here and there. Inste
Aegis Group Chapter 338: Thursday. Damascus, Syria.
ALEC HAD HOPED FOR more of a head start. The enforcers were faster than their size had led him to believe. His arms pumped at his sides. He cut across another street, barreling past onlookers. The police or military were going to be on them soon. Vara had told him response times were getting shorter.There wasn't anywhere to lose these guys and Alec wasn't willing to endanger civilians. He couldn't allow himself to get captured by the authorities. His documents wouldn't hold up and there was no way he could explain his weapon. He had to lose these guys or fight them, and he didn't like the two-to-one odds."Move," he snapped at two boys rounding the corner ahead of himAlec grabbed the light pole and used it to keep his momentum going, launching him left then darting across the street in a break between cars. His feet hit the sidewalk, and he glanced over his shoulder at the two men still in pursuit.Did they think he was the hacker? Had they fooled them?One of the enforcers went
Aegis Group Chapter 339: Thursday. Nour Delivery Service, Damascus, Syria.
THIS WAS ALL WRONG. It couldn't be happening.Vara was prepared for the Russians to go after her. She'd known she was at risk from both the Syrian government and rebel groups should anyone connect her to the CIA.The last thing she'd expected was for her own people-other Americans-to turn on her.She stared across the truck at Wyatt, who wouldn't look at her. Because he knew he was a traitor? If not to his country then to her. The person who'd gone to bat for him, who'd given him a job who'd been on his side. What was that worth these days? Clearly nothing.The truck came to a stop inside Rafat's warehouse and both she and Alec were guided out to stand in the loading area at the very back of the building up against a wall. Rafat's other men drew away from them, giving them a wide berth."What the hell?" Vara whispered, still staring at Wyatt.Wyatt continued to look elsewhere. At Alec. At Rafat's men. His gun. He finally glanced down the long hall that led toward Rafat's ground f
Aegis Group Chapter 340: Thursday. Nour Delivery Service, Damascus, Syria.
ALEC WAS WILLING TO bet that not all of Vara's latest recruits were honest about their training. Not a one had searched them or divested them of weapons, save for their guns. They hadn't checked Vara's bag or made more than a cursory search of their captives. If they were soldiers worth their salt, they'd know a trained man was far more dangerous than a bullet.Rafat Nour's people were even less careful.The thing not on Alec's side in the current confrontation were numbers.Four on two weren't good odds, but Alec was willing to bet that he and Vara were better trained than these kids for exactly this scenario. He didn't know if he could rely on Jules to play along. After so many years in captivity, what did they really know about her? Would she cave from fear? Or did she want her freedom as bad as Alec and Vara?Alec needed the four guys to divide their attention, and he needed his hands free.He took a few steps away from Vara. He'd need room to work and the further apart they w
Aegis Group Chapter 341: Thursday. Nour Delivery Service, Damascus, Syria.
VARA GRIPPED THE WHEEL, grateful for these moments alone. She'd always known an end was coming. She wasn't going to live in Syria. This wasn't her home. But she hadn't been prepared to leave. There were people who depended on her routes for medicine and goods at a fair price.Where would they get what they needed from now on?What about the women Vara helped? The ones she got to safety? Who would help them?Wyatt's betrayal hurt, but not as bad as she'd expected it might. Deep down she'd always known she could never fully trust the men she employed. Today only proved that her gut was right."Fuck, fuck, fuck," she muttered under her breath.Her men.She needed to call her other team still in Lebanon.Vara pulled out the phone she'd slipped from their captive before Alec had booted him out the truck. She dialed the number by memory and pressed it to her ear.It rang several times."Hello?" a man answered."It's Vara." Her voice was cold. She had to be."Hey, boss lady." The m
Aegis Group Chapter 342: Thursday. Regional Airport, northern Lebanon.
VARA HOBBLED OFF THE plane, the bag with Djinn's package clutched to her chest. Vara's limbs and muscles protested the movement after being tensed for so long as she held on for dear life. That flight would go down in history as one of the worst she could remember.Alec was already at the passenger seat, helping Jules stretch her legs. If Vara was in bad shape Jules had to be in agony.A hand grasped Vara's sleeve.She turned toward the woman she'd only known as Djinn.The woman was so petite she swam in her clothes. Her hijab framed her face in a way that she seemed to be all eyes and frowns. But that appearance hid a sharp intellect and when she opened her mouth Vara knew Djinn wasn't Syrian born even if that was her heritage. Djinn was American."Hey," Vara said. Was she finally speaking to her?"You got it out?" Djinn stared at the bag clutched to Vara's side."Yes. It's safe." Vara patted the bag."Good. Their reach is farther than I realized. If you have to, destroy it. D
Aegis Group Chapter 343: Thursday. Regional Airport, northern Lebanon.
They continued their circuit of the grounds. Vara found herself drifting away from him then toward him as her insides warred.So what if he'd been her first love? That didn't mean he'd be the only man she cared for. She was still young and had never truly given a man besides him a chance at winning her heart."Vara? Hey, will you stop a second?" Alec paused on the north side of the hangar where the wind wasn't as harsh."Hm?""When this is over do you think we could talk?""There isn't anything to talk about." The surge of panic was completely uncalled for, but there it was."I think there is." Alec took a step closer to her. "You kissed me back.""Heat of the moment. Adrenaline. Don't make it out to be anything other than what it was." Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth and sweat broke out along her spine and brow. Yeah she could taste the lie."Is that what you want it to be?" Alec stopped so close she thought she could smell the spices from their food on him."If it'
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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
