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Chapter 360: Sunday. HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Aegis Group Chapter 361: Sunday. Alec's House, Seattle, Washington.
VARA'S IMPRESSION OF ALEC'S ranch-style house was that it was large and had some nice trees around it. Anything else was hard to make out in the darkness with the ongoing drizzle.She was ready to be done with travel.Her hands burned, and she had a few blisters on her forehead, but other than that she was fine. The topical ointment made them barely noticeable. Still, another close call had her rattled and ready to hide. She wasn't that strong. She wasn't that much of a badass. She was just a woman with a big heart."Come on, I've got you." Alec wrapped his arm around her, lifting his jacket over her head to shield her.She wasn't worried about the rain, but she wanted to stay close to him. They darted up the drive and across the path to the front door.Music and laughter sounded from inside.Alec glanced down at her."You don't have to hang out. My room's down the hall on the left, second door on the right, okay?""I'm fine," she said.He bent and kissed the top of her head.
Aegis Group Chapter 362: Sunday. Alec's House, Seattle, Washington.
ALEC CURSED UNDER HIS breath. He'd hoped for a phone call, an easy explanation for the assassination attempt. If Zain was showing up in person, this wasn't good news."Have a seat?" Alec toed a chair away from the table."Thanks." Zain said and laid his tablet on the table.Paxton followed, but remained standing. Ryan stood at the end of the table, hands braced on the corners."Our dead guy from the plane is Russian. No surprise there." Zain brought up a New York driver's license, naming Vara's attacker as Igor Somethingshecouldntpronounce. "He was a chemist. Got bounced from several jobs due to a number of violations. He was on a couple watch lists and a suspected supplier. He wasn't an assassin. This was a lab rat.""But we know who he is and that he's connected to the Russian mob?" Alec reached over and placed his hand on Vara's knee. He wanted to hold her hands, but the chemical burns were still fresh."We do." Zain's frown deepened."What?" Alec didn't like that frown."Th
Aegis Group Chapter 363: Sunday. Alec's House, Seattle, Washington.
WYATT STARED AT THE gray house with the small army of cars and trucks in the driveway and lined along the curb. All the other homes had maybe one vehicle visible. Not this one.How many people were inside?Was this Vara's other team? Had she been working with these guys all along? Who was Vara Price, really?They'd met through a military contact. He'd been hesitant at first. Syria was in the grips of a civil war, but there was money to be had. Vara took the right risks, she knew how to get around. It had made for a good partnership.Had he been a fool this whole time?What else was Vara doing?In the end she'd used him and left their team on the ground die.Ivan muttered and smacked the side of the tablet."What?" Wyatt whispered.Ivan jabbed his finger in his ear then spat a curse and tossed the ear buds in the floorboard."The signal is gone," he said."She wasn't on the phone, was she?" Wyatt frowned."No." Ivan glared at the front of the house. "We know where she is. Wh
Aegis Group Chapter 364: Monday. Aegis Group Office, Seattle, Washington.
ALEC PULLED OUT A chair for Vara and held it while she sat with her coffee and bagel.The instructions for this morning had them meeting in the central command room. The space was the second secure room in the building, the other being Zain's personal office. From this room they could handle any number of sensitive tasks, like facial recognition and real-time digital tracking. But most of all, for this morning's purposes, their communication feed was encrypted. Someone was joining them remotely and Alec was curious who that person might be.Today was going to be a long day of figuring out how the hell they were going to handle this threat. Someone was after his girl and he wasn't going to let that happen on his watch.What was worse, there would be people out there who would think she was Djinn even once this blew over. That came with its own set of dangers they'd have to sort out.For now, the Russian mob boss and whatever the hell the Russian intelligence community was up to was
Aegis Group Chapter 365: Monday. Seattle, WA.
WYATT SLOWED, ALLOWING ANOTHER two vehicles between him and the SUV Vara was traveling in. This close to the residence she'd stayed in, it was safe to say she was going home for the night.They'd barely glimpsed her at all this morning and never once could Ivan or Wyatt get a clear shot."We should just take them all out. Tonight. While they're sleeping." Wyatt didn't care how much security the house had or how skilled the men were, a surprise attack in the dead of night was a good call."No," Ivan said."You want to keep following her around like this?" Wyatt shook his head. "Sending that guy after her on the plane was a bad move.""No one asked for your opinion." Ivan frowned at his phone."What was the point?""If you need me to spell it out for you-""I do," Wyatt snapped."She is afraid. She is making decisions out of fear," Ivan said slowly, as though he were talking to a child."You don't know Vara Price that well." Wyatt grit his teeth and pulled the car to a stop aro
Aegis Group Chapter 366: Tuesday. Alec's House, Seattle, Washington.
ALEC CROSSED HIS ARMS over his chest and watched Paxton lace up his shoes."I'm leaving, dad. No need to make sure I get out in time." He pushed to his feet and flipped the hood of his sweatshirt up over his ball cap."And you're going to-""Dude, we all agreed to give you the run of the house today, get off my case, okay?" He grabbed the bag of workout gear and ambled toward the front door. "Have fun with your girlfriend."Alec remained standing in the arch until Paxton had locked the door from outside.Finally.Alec turned and strained to hear any movement from the bedroom. Carson had kept Vara up later than he'd realized chitchatting otherwise there was no way he'd have pulled this off. The guys were going to bust his nuts, but he didn't care.They had time to kill while waiting for the bad guys to take the bait and nowhere to go.He grabbed the plates from the oven, inhaling the aroma of the hot breakfast he'd made. It was a wonder Paxton or Silas hadn't stolen some.Alec
Aegis Group Chapter 367: Tuesday. Alec's House, Seattle, Washington.
VARA PACED THE WIDTH of Alec's room while the two men yelled at each other.Her insides were molten hot, and it felt as though a swarm of hornets were stinging her nerves. Her chest was hot. Her legs were cold. Her head pounded. The smell of soap from the basket of clean laundry was nearly overpowering.He said he loved her.Alec loved her.She hadn't expected that.Stay in Seattle, do the relationship thing. Those she'd been expecting. But love?It wasn't just her. She wasn't the only one in love.They loved each other. What did that mean? What could it mean? How did this change their lives? What were they going to do with this knowledge? Why did she love him? Why this man?A dozen memories flitted through his brain.That laugh. The way he cared for her. His protective nature, not just for her but others. The way he threw himself into things. He'd sacrifice himself for others. He was selfless that way. Deep down, under that bravado, he was a decent, good man. When they were t
Aegis Group Chapter 368: Tuesday. Marriot Hotel, Seattle, Washington.
WYATT STARED OUT THE window at the city skyline. The weather had finally cleared. Water droplets traveled down the glass directed by gravity.Something was happening, and he didn't know what. He didn't like not knowing.Voices grew louder in the hall then faded. A door opened and shut. Someone turned on a TV and he could almost make out the lines.He lifted his phone and looked down at the texts from his mother and sisters.Damn the rest of his team.Why had they reached out to Wyatt's family? He didn't need his mother asking him where he was or worrying about him. This business would be over soon enough.More footsteps.Wyatt sat in the armchair, the lights off and listened.Find Vara. Kill Vara. Don't kill Vara.He was getting whiplash from the orders.Two shadows interrupted the line of light under his door. The lock beeped, and the door opened.Ivan's gaze found him immediately."Come on," he said.Wyatt didn't bother asking questions. It wasn't like they were going to
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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
