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Chapter 369: Wednesday. Private Air Strip, Seattle, Washington.
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Aegis Group Chapter 370: Thursday. CIA Safe House, Portland, Oregon.
FOUR HOURS AND TWENTY minutes.That was how long since Alec had lost sight of Vara. He couldn't help the clock counting it all down, knowing she could be dead already.Brett used his flashlight to signal Alec and Paxton from the side gate.Alec didn't want to trust Brett, but he'd proven adept at not only getting them a last minute flight to Portland, but at locating Vara's handler and ferreting out why the man was on this side of the country. The whole thing had Alec thinking there'd been eyes on Vara this whole time.Had they been bait all along?"Move." Paxton planted his hand on Alec's back and shoved him forward.Alec ignored the helping hand and picked up the pace.Brett was through the side gate of what he'd told them was a CIA safe house. They would have minimal time to access the house, grab Chad and get out before CIA muscle arrived. Normally Alec was the one doing the rescuing. Kidnapping wasn't a typical on the job activity, but they'd had a lot of weird shit going o
Aegis Group Chapter 371: Thursday. Unknown Location.
VARA COULDN'T FEEL HER toes. Her feet were completely numb. The blanket they'd given her upon arriving at their destination was practically a lap blanket. Her head was foggy from lack of sleep and the bone chilling weather. Her stomach growled for food. Her mouth was dry. About the only positive was that she was no longer restrained.The door to her room opened and Wyatt stood on the other side flanked by Ivan and tough guy she didn't recognize."What do you want?" She still couldn't wrap her head around Wyatt working with these guys."Come with us," he said."Why?""Because you don't have a choice. I also brought you these." Wyatt tossed a pair of ballet flats on the floor.They were a little worn, and she had to wonder where they'd come from. But Vara couldn't be picky. There were two things she needed if she was going to make it out of here, shoes and a coat. Here was half of that solution."How about some water or something to eat?" Vara crossed the room, the blanket wrapped
Aegis Group Chapter 372: Thursday. Private Island, Bering Sea.
WYATT WHIRLED AT THE sound of gunfire.One shot.They hadn't killed her, had they?He was running before he realized it, sprinting down the hall toward the break room. He skidded through the door, bumping into Ivan.A man Wyatt sort of recognized lay on the floor bleeding out.The computer geek was frozen to the spot, watching blood creep toward him.Kolya stood in the doorway leading to the outside yelling in Russian."Where is she?" Wyatt snarled. Kolya had promised him Vara.Outside men ran past."You let her get away?" Wyatt's vision hazed red.It was an island. They had one job, to get her talking, and they couldn't do that.He stalked across the room and shoved past Kolya."Which way did she go?" Wyatt demanded."Stay inside," Kolya said."You let her get away." Wyatt turned and glared at the Russian mob boss. This was ill advised, and yet he couldn't rein it in."It's a small island. They'll find her.""Before or after her CIA or whatever pals get here?" Wyatt sh
Aegis Group Chapter 373: Friday. Ulak Island, Bering Sea.
WYATT WATCHED THE HORIZON.He hadn't slept. He couldn't. There was too much at stake. His family could not die because of a few incompetent idiots.The first bit of light tinged the horizon gray.It was time.Today he was hunting Vara. He'd capture her if he could or kill her. They both knew she was no hacker. She was a thieving bitch and his family would not die for her.***Friday. Tanaga Island, Bering Sea.ALEC HEFTED HIS GEAR and stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac. The old, run down facility had once been a Navy emergency landing field back in the 40s, now it was being overrun by the island. Tree roots broke up the pavement. Weeds and grass encroached on the buildings. Their landing left a lot to be desired, but they were here.Paxton and Brett filed off the plane after him."Think our guy's waiting for us?" Paxton asked."Brett said he knew a guy." Alec shrugged. "He's proven useful so far."Alec's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen.Zain.If Alec
Aegis Group Chapter 374: Friday. Ulak Island, Bering Sea.
"WE NEED TO BE smart about this." Wyatt stood up against the wall. It was as close to the map of the island as Kolya would allow him to be. He should be back out there, not in here talking. "Vara's out there, dug in somewhere, with four guns and we don't know how many bullets. Just throwing men out there to look at her is going to get them killed and give her more supplies. How long until she hits someone who has a phone she can unlock?"They'd stopped telling Wyatt to be quiet and were outright ignoring him now, continuing their conversations he couldn't understand.This was bullshit.The woman was resourceful and dangerous when her back was up against a wall. She'd gotten him and the team out of a few tight spots over the years he hadn't thought they'd survive. He'd always said she was the one person he didn't want to go toe-to-toe with, and here he was with everything on the lineWyatt would be dead if it weren't for Vara. But he'd almost died because of her, too.She'd screwed
Aegis Group Chapter 375: Friday. Ulak Island, Bering Sea.
ALEC DOVE FORWARD AND fired at the glint of metal behind the rocks.Vara's knees hit the ground, and she pitched forward, but caught herself on her left hand. Her right still clutched a gun."Go," she gasped.Her feet worked, sliding for a moment before her too large boots got traction.God damn she was amazing.Two shots fired over his head, his guys covering for them."Go," she said again.He hooked his arm under hers and turned.Brett and Paxton stood behind the cover of the trees, watching for a threat. Where the fuck had they been when the shooter hit Vara?A bullet blew a chunk out of a tree a few feet from Alec."Get that shooter," he said."There's two of them," Paxton replied. "You two go. I'll hold them off."Alec didn't second guess Paxton's order. The guy was a former sniper. If any of them were going to hit a target that didn't want to be seen, it was him."I'm fine. We need to run." Vara's breath wheezed out of her lungs. She nudged Alec away from her. "We're
Aegis Group Chapter 376: Friday. Ulak Island, Bering Sea.
SACRIFICE HAPPENS.It was a cardinal truth that came with leading people.Vara knew it, and so did Alec. But he was too blinded by emotion to accept that for them to survive she had to take a risk. And possibly sacrifice herself. Otherwise none of them were getting off this rock alive."I'm coming out, Wyatt. Hear me?" Vara called out.Alec shook his head. Even with the paint she could see the rage lines around his mouth and nose."I have to," she whispered."No," he snarled, for her ears alone.She pulled against his grasp. "Alec, trust me?""He's going to kill you." Alec's hold remained fast."You won't let him.""We have to do something," Brett said again."Toss your guns first," Wyatt yelled."Alec, we have to do this." She pulled out the handgun she'd used earlier. It was one of the firearms she had strapped to her body."Fine." Alec closed his eyes and released her.She wanted to kiss him, to tell him it would be okay, but she didn't dare test his resolve."Okay. I
Aegis Group Chapter 377: Saturday. Alaska Regional Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska.
ALEC SWIPED THE WET rag over his face. He glanced to his left, through the curtain to where Vara lay on a stretcher while a doctor stitched up her wound.It was over.Or at least their part was.Wyatt might very well live.Kolya Sokolov was in federal custody.And Vara was alive. Alec's heart was intact.God, he never wanted to do this again."Esposito," a harsh voice barked.He winced and turned his attention toward Zain. It wasn't normal to see him in the field. Their boss was more of a behind the scenes, tech wizard, but some jobs just needed the personal touch."How much trouble am I in?" Alec asked."A lot." Zain's cool gaze promised retribution. "I promised our CIA friends I'd have your ass for the shit you pulled. The FBI is pleased with the results and want to thank you for forcing their hand. We'll split the difference and call it even."Alec blew out a breath. "Thanks, boss man.""Wheels up. You boys should be home by dinner time." Zain slapped a hand on Alec's sh
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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
