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Chapter 379: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
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Aegis Group Chapter 380: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
COCO DE JONG FLOPPED down on the padded bench and watched her best friend carry on an animated discussion with the man who would officiate tomorrow's wedding.This was all so surreal.She should have said no and run away when Lacey asked Coco to be the maid of honor. If she'd been in her right mind she would have, but at the time she'd been floored that out of everyone Lacey knew she wanted her. Coco. All her life she'd been picked last or not at all, and now someone made her their first pick.It's no big deal, she kept chanting to herself.Except tomorrow she'd be standing front and center with her crazy, unruly hair alongside these beautiful women. On one side would be Lacey, blonde, slim, perfect in white. On Coco's other was Omarosa, a model gorgeous woman who worked for National Geographic with skin so dark it glowed. And her hair. Coco had so much envy over the woman's sleek, a long curtain of jet-black hair she could scream.Story of Coco's life. Stuck in the middle with he
Aegis Group Chapter 381: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
GOD DAMN IT.Paxton's head was too fuzzy and his mouth wouldn't work properly to get his thoughts out before Coco bolted from the table. He pushed to his feet then had to wait for the ground to stop spinning.He really should have eaten before that first round of drinks. Or the second.One foot got tangled in his chair and he tripped, barely regaining his balance before he face planted on the lawn. In that short amount of time Coco was gone."Shit," he muttered and looked around the party.Except she'd said she was leaving.He turned toward the west. He caught a glimpse of a shadow that looked an awful lot like a curvy woman passing under the boughs of a large tree.Paxton took off, keeping to the level ground until he found the path Coco had taken. She easily outdistanced him, but he was determined. At least he hadn't finished that last drink.The lights grew farther apart, and the music faded. The resort sat inside a sizeable portion of fenced-in land. It was cultivated and k
Aegis Group Chapter 382: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
Before Paxton could answer the bike zipped forward. He found the pegs for his feet and held onto the underside of his seat as Coco pushed the bike faster, only pausing to enter the code to admit them to their destination.The conservation part of the park was located in the old resort area. What he'd read online had impressed him. The operations side of the resort had moved into the old, main building. They'd opened up research facilities for different teams on the grounds, allowing several studies to be conducted at once. Most animals inhabiting this part were temporary patients on the road to recovery and re-release. Those animals that couldn't be released were kept until a suitable new home could be lined up. It was all rather impressive.Here lights chased away the shadows. There weren't any people around, unlike earlier when it had been bustling with activity. Coco steered them toward a cinderblock building with a corrugated metal roof just like any other set of buildings. The
Aegis Group Chapter 383: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
COCO HADN'T EXPECTED deep and meaningful from Paxton. The only thing they could have was a hot fling. Knowing more about him, that he was a genuinely good guy under the good looks and rough edges, had her liking him more. If only it did anything for her nerves.Her hands were sweating as she led him up the walk to her home. The red brick villa lacked the sophistication of the new resort. It was just a couple of rectangles fitted together, but this was her home.She fit her key in the lock and glanced back at the man looming over her.He braced his hands on either side of the door and bent his head to her shoulder where he pressed the gentlest kiss to her bare skin.Who was this man? How could someone raised among so much bad turn out so good?She twisted the key and pushed the door in, flipping on the two lamps with the door switch."This is it." She stepped to the side and gestured at the furniture she hadn't changed from when she'd moved in.How did this look to an outsider? T
Aegis Group Chapter 384: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
"Yes," Coco said. Paxton could do whatever he wanted so long as he kept touching her.He pushed up and undid the button on her shorts then yanked those and her panties down her legs and over her boots. She didn't even have the presence of mind to be self conscious it all happened so fast. And then Paxton was leaning over her again, touching her stomach, kissing her chest then her hip. Her mind was awash in pleasure and sensory overload.A kiss on her mound made her jump, both from surprise and because it was too much. He pressed his palm to the spot, as though he understood her nerves were too raw. But the respite only lasted a moment.He sank to the floor, his arms under and around her legs holding her prisoner, and then she felt his tongue. A very intimate touch against her folds. She reached down and grasped his wrist in a vain attempt to pull him up. He pressed against her, exploring her sex with his tongue and mouth, kissing her in a far more intimate way.His blunt fingers pr
Aegis Group Chapter 385: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
AFTER TWO DAYS of travel, Paxton was enjoying lying in a big, comfortable bed. The only thing missing was Coco. He kept his eyes shut, listening to the subtle sounds of her going through her evening routine behind the bathroom door. The minutes stretched on.Was she stalling? Had he done something?He sat up and frowned at the door, replaying the last hour in his head. His dick twitched, getting the wrong idea.Should he go? Was he not reading the signals right?The truth was he didn't fully trust himself even if the evening had gone well. With a lineage like his he had to be careful. His earliest examples of how to be a man were toxic.Paxton ran a hand through his hair.If he were at home and if this night had happened with a girl from a bar or one of the hangers on that used to get brought to their former bachelor pad, this was the moment when he'd find somewhere else to be. A reason to end things before the girl got the wrong idea. And yet, that was the last thing he wanted t
Aegis Group Chapter 386: Wednesday. Johannesburg, South Africa.
LUKE NODORF STALKED around his desk. The office was too small. He was too far up to pace out to the street and take a walk. Times like these, he missed the little home he'd grown up in. He'd been something of an anomaly in those days, a white boy in the ghetto, but it was the best his family could afford. Even now he'd buy his parents a real home if they'd let him, but they just turned their nose up whenever he offered to help.The simple fact was that Luke didn't need them anymore. He'd offered out of respect. If his parents wanted to ride their high horse into the grave, so be it. That was their dying wish.Luke had bigger problems to worry about. Like the National Council of Provinces.Two more of his loyal men were out. This was after nearly a dozen representatives Luke had counted on lost their elections. At this point there were less than twenty-four sitting representatives for him to ply with cash and promises to sway votes his way.And what a time to be on the outs with so
Aegis Group Chapter 387: Thursday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
COCO COULDN'T KEEP hiding in the bathroom, but beyond that door was a man. A man she'd allowed to sleep in her bed, hold her and do unspeakably pleasurable things to her.What had she been thinking?She hadn't. She'd been feeling. And that was a very deep pool she didn't know how to get out of. The truth of it was that Coco had allowed herself to get swept up in all those feel-good things. She'd been touch-starved, and he'd offered her a buffet.Now what did she do?Coco had never brought a man to her place before. Her previous boyfriend had fizzled out years before and the few, brief romantic interludes were always the sort of thing where she had to go to them. All of which left her totally unprepared for what the hell she should be doing now.She paced the length of the bathroom. In the light of day it was easier to examine the things she'd felt and thought. Her heart had gone way over the line. While he might have drunk too much, she'd been drunk on feelings.He had to go. She
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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
