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Chapter 391: Thursday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
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Aegis Group Chapter 392: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
COCO STARED OUT at the activity spread out in what was typically a parking lot. The Aegis Group guys had turned it into a command center with a huge tent, housing their planning areas and equipment storage. Today their teams were upgrading and installing cameras around the perimeter of Mlilo. It was astounding to see so much change happening.And all because Lacey had gone off and fallen in love with the right guy.Coco shook her head and smiled. Lacey was a force of nature. Nothing should surprise Coco anymore when it came to her friend.She pulled out her phone and checked the time.Just after lunch.Technically she was still on holiday, but she didn't trust many people with her pangolins, so she'd been up at first light to tend to their injured and Sushi Roll.She had enough time.Daluxolo had said she could use his car rather than take her bike into Soweto.If she was going at all, she needed to go now. Before too much time had past.She was doing it.Coco turned and head
Aegis Group Chapter 393: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
By the time they reached Soweto she felt like she knew Silas to some degree. She wasn't entirely certain she liked him as much as Paxton did, but she understood their bond better."Where we going?" he asked.She pulled out her phone and gave him directions."How'd you find this kid?""Cameron had references. I called and asked around.""What are you going to do if you find him?""A lot of that depends on him." She glanced at Paxton. "I didn't have a good feeling about hiring Cameron on in the beginning because of how he was acting. That doesn't mean I didn't want it to work out. There are few enough opportunities as is. I get why he did what he did.""Is this it?" Paxton peered up at a four-story apartment building."Yeah." She popped her seatbelt. "Stay in the car. I'll be back. Do not get out, okay?""I'll be right here." He placed his hands on the steering wheel.She paused and glanced at his backpack. "Are you, I mean, do you carry...?""Do I have a gun with me?" He turn
Aegis Group Chapter 394: Monday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
COCO GRIPPED HER phone in both hands, eyes shut, and allowed the grief to wash over her.Four days since Utata died, and no one outside a small circle of people knew about it. They didn't talk about it and so far, no one had asked about the rhino. But now Coco knew who killed him and possibly where to find the remains.The ballistics weren't official. It was a preliminary report, but because the bullets they'd found matched other poaching cases, the identification process would be faster.The person who'd shot Utata was a repeat offender when it came to poaching. It wasn't the first time this crew had targeted the animals at Mlilo and it wouldn't be the last. But this time Coco needed to do something about it.She had to talk to Paxton.Her feet began walking before she'd finished the thought.The last few days were a whirlwind of action. Coco hadn't truly been prepared for what was going to happen. Sure, she'd known the Aegis Group was donating new equipment, but no one was prep
Aegis Group Chapter 395: Monday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
PAXTON STRETCHED HIS arm along the back of the padded bench seat, gripping the bars that protected the passengers in the safari truck. Silas and the two security guards sat facing Paxton and Coco. No one spoke, mostly because it would be too hard to be heard over the wind and engine.Back in the tent he'd turned around to say something to Silas, only to spot his best friend inches away from Coco talking at her. Paxton wanted to know what the hell had been going on, but there hadn't been a chance. The only thing that'd stopped him from demanding answers was that Coco didn't seem the least bit bothered by whatever Silas had said.There was no telling what Silas might have told her.Usually Paxton didn't mind Silas' sense of humor. Sure, they were sometimes over the line and Silas went too far with things, but he wasn't all bad. But this was Coco, and Silas didn't know her. Paxton was still very much a stranger, but he knew enough. Until she told him to back off, Coco was his girl. No,
Aegis Group Chapter 396: Monday. Cane De Jong Office, Johannesburg, South Africa.
MIA DIDN'T HAVE long. Cane's receptionist was an older woman who ran the office according to her master schedule. Any interruption, including Mia showing up unannounced, was a major infraction. As soon as the woman learned Mia had slipped in, she'd be detained and penciled in accordingly.She was desperate.For months she'd played this role, flirting with Cane, drawing his interest. When Luke had offered her this as a means to pay her debt to him it had sounded so easy. After all, politicians were one and the same. They were dirty, corrupt and using their power for personal gain.And then she'd met Cane.Part of her wanted this fantasy life with him where she was on the way to becoming his wife. But he didn't really know her. This life they had was a lie. He didn't even know she had children. Their lives were what kept her pushing forward and why she was here today.She pulled file folders out of drawers, flipping them open and snapping pictures. Luke was after something specific,
Aegis Group Chapter 397: Monday. Unknown, South Africa.
THE SWISH OF the grass as they moved forward had Paxton cringing. It was too much noise. This was all wrong. They had to go back.He was glad to have his rifle cradled in his arms. Talking Coco into pausing long enough for him and Silas to gear up properly had nearly been a fight. If it weren't for the other guys being on their side Paxton would be out here with nothing more than a pair of SIG Sauers in hand. The sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon. There were only a few hours of daylight left and so far they hadn't seen anything other than tire tracks.It had been a long day spent in the sun trekking over rough terrain. Paxton was impressed with Coco. She'd set the pace and kept it going even through the worst of the heat, only slowing down a little.Silas drifted closer until they were walking shoulder to shoulder following Coco.He glanced at Paxton, speaking softly. "We've walked at least ten miles in a straight line with tracks a blind person could follow."Paxton cou
Aegis Group Chapter 398: Monday. Unknown, South Africa.
COCO STARED AT the back of the den where she and Paxton had taken refuge. The tiny cave, if it could be called that, had a very narrow entrance that a human could barely squeeze through. It was the perfect hideaway for any number of animals to birth young. In fact she could smell fresh musk in the air. There weren't babies here, but it was clear to her a mother-their luck, a predator-was preparing this site."Pax? Paxton?""Sh," he whispered."We have to go.""It's not safe out there yet," he said over his shoulder."It's not safe in here." She didn't want to be squatting when the residents came back.Best-case scenario this was a serval den. The cats were predators but not much of a threat to humans. Worst-case scenario they were standing in a leopard's den. On a normal day Coco wouldn't be terribly concerned about a leopard, but a pregnant mother about to give birth? That was a creature Coco didn't want to run into.Coco pushed at Paxton's shoulders. "Now.""Fine." He glanced
Aegis Group Chapter 399: Monday. Unknown, South Africa.
PAXTON HUNG BACK, following Coco as they approached a group of men on the outskirts of what looked to be a tiny village comprised of a few dozen homes. The structures were a combination of old and new. Some were circular and built from stones that looked as if they'd been dug out of the earth. The homes were topped with thatched roofs. A few had satellite dishes perched on top. Still others were a mix of cinderblock and thatch. A few others were nothing more than sheet metal over a frame.Coco began speaking to the men, her hands moving, words coming fast. He wanted to listen and understand the words coming out of her mouth. They were interspersed with pops and clicks, creating a melodic way of speaking that left him dumbfounded. He couldn't speak two languages let alone six. She turned and caught his eye, stretching out her hand toward him.Paxton took her hand, unsure what the purpose was, but allowed her to pull him forward."Hi." He nodded at the men eyeing him with interest, no
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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
