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Chapter 401: Tuesday. Mlilo Research Center, South Africa.
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Aegis Group Chapter 402: Tuesday. Mlilo Research Center, South Africa.
Paxton stood there, staring at her, wanting it all but unsure if it was possible.Coco grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled it up over his head. He lifted his arms, allowing her to strip him of the T-shirt."Are you going to make me ask?" She tipped her chin up and looked at him.Whatever she wanted he'd give it to her. Short of helping her risk her life again, he knew he'd do anything she asked of him.He loosened the catch of his jeans.Coco took a step back, then another, before turning and stepping into the deep tub.He didn't want to ask, because then she might change her mind. Right now he wanted to be near her, to assure himself she really was okay.Paxton's boots hit the floor, socks still inside, laces barely undid. He got undressed in record time.A small voice in the back of his mind asked, what are you doing?Truth was, he didn't know. From the moment that crowd had parted, and he'd first seen Coco, he'd been caught in her orbit. They were from different parts
Aegis Group Chapter 403: Tuesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
PAXTON COULD HAVE used seven more hours of sleep. Hell, he'd have taken seven more minutes in bed curled around a soft woman. She'd done that thing again, where she used him like a human blanket. Paxton hadn't minded one bit. Too bad they had to get out of bed.It was time to address why someone had set a trap and then waited days to spring it.He opened the door to the former resort turned research facility and held it for Coco. Since the powers that be wanted to keep yesterday under wraps until they'd properly dug into it, they weren't heading to the tent. No, they'd been instructed to report to the conference room. At least that meant cold water and air conditioning.Coco led the way down a hall and to the spacious room with its long table and chairs. Several familiar faces were already seated, including Shane and Lacey, Zain, Daluxolo and his team, plus a woman at the head of the table Paxton had only seen in passing.At a glance, he knew this was a person he didn't want to tan
Aegis Group Chapter 404: Tuesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
COCO SHOVED THE conference room door open, keeping her head down, and made straight for the side entrance. Right now she wanted to avoid everyone. Except Paxton. She'd found his quiet presence comforting. But he had a job to do, unlike her.Someone had no doubt done her rounds this morning. Coco hated when Mandisa noticed her. One of these days she was going to realize how superfluous Coco really was in the day-to-day activities and she'd be out of a job. Anyone could do the work she did. Sure, she had above average medical knowledge and would do in a pinch when an emergency cropped up, but that didn't make Coco special enough to stay on.She pushed open the side entrance and stepped out into the morning sun. She tipped her head back and drew in a deep breath.Without an education and training, this was as good as Coco could hope for. She had a little money, but not enough for an expensive degree. Eventually Mlilo would fire her or she'd get moved to another position she didn't enjo
Aegis Group Chapter 405: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
PAXTON STRODE TOWARD the tent while his mind was still back on the little porch looking into Coco's eyes. He didn't know what was happening there, but he wanted it. Life was too short to ignore the good when he had it.He pushed through the flaps into the tent. Someone had pulled out chairs and a little over a dozen men were gathered facing the wall with the projector casting a square of light. Zain stood to one side, frowning at a tablet. Shane caught Paxton's eye and waved him over."Where we at?" Paxton asked."Can you confirm this timeline?" Shane nodded at the tablet."Sure." Paxton took the tablet from Zain and glanced over it, noting the times and pieces of information Zain had collected onto one screen.And right there, at the beginning was Utata's death followed by the wedding.Shit."I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner." Paxton glanced up. "This wasn't how Coco wanted Lacey to find out.""That news was never going to be easy." Shane shook his head. "Thanks for keeping
Aegis Group Chapter 406: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
BY THE TIME Coco helped Paxton collect his things and a pizza it was past noon. It was easy to see how jet lag combined with the work from the last week had taken a toll on him. His eyes were staying shut longer and longer. He was unsteady and loosing focus. There was no way she was letting him go anywhere except a bed for several hours.She glanced at him again. He'd taken the opportunity in the minibus to lean back and stretch out. Once more, his eyes were shut, and she knew he'd passed out the moment his head touched the seatback. Her heart did that thing again where it felt too big for her chest, as though it might burst from her ribs. She hurt, and yet this felt good, if uncertain and strange.What the hell was she doing?Coco shook her head, but there was no dislodging these warm, fuzzy thoughts about Paxton.She and Lacey had gone to the tent, their curiosity getting the better of them. At least Coco had been able to say with some honesty that she was concerned about Paxton
Aegis Group Chapter 407: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
Coco pulled his boxer briefs down, freeing his erection. Paxton groaned and tugged at her knees, but not hard enough to move her. No, she intended on taking her time.She wrapped her hand around his length and bent once more to kiss his stomach then the deep slash of muscle at his hip. He tipped his head back, his body coming to life under her. The tendons on either side of his neck stood out, and she watched his mouth move.This was her chance to make him crazy. Give him a bit of his own medicine.Coco pumped his length and shifted farther down his body. She watched his throat, saw the flex as he swallowed. He was putty in her hands. This big, strong man, he was hers. She licked the head of his cock. His back bowed up off the bed and she heard the hiss of his breath.She wasn't the only one who could be undone by sex.Before she could continue her attentions, Paxton sat up, all that intensity aimed at her. She stared, her breath frozen in her lungs at the way he stared at her. He
Aegis Group Chapter 408: Wednesday. Soweto, South Africa.
PAXTON HATED THIS.He'd slept in fits and bursts, his rest broken up with flashes of memory from last night running with Coco interspersed with twisted distortions projected forward on tonight. He was reconsidering his agreement with Coco. Silas wouldn't blink if Paxton asked him to secure her, and he wouldn't have to explain why. Silas was good like that. But Paxton couldn't bring himself to go back on his promise.Which was how he'd wound up in the back of one of the nondescript delivery trucks they'd borrowed with Coco by his side. It was late afternoon, pushing into evening. The sun was dipping below the horizon, but even at half strength the rays were turning the trailer into an oven.This wasn't the most absurd job he'd done. Hamstringing the poachers fell under preventative work, and while it was on the extreme end, it still wasn't the craziest thing Paxton had ever done. But he'd never brought a civilian or client with him on the job. Though Coco wasn't paying them so she al
Aegis Group Chapter 409: Wednesday. Cane De Jong's Home, Johannesburg, South Africa.
MIA NEEDED TO do something. The files she'd copied weren't the right ones, not that she had any idea what those might be. Luke was in a rage. Mia didn't know how much longer she could keep this going if she didn't land on something.She stood at the window and stared out on the balcony. He'd let her plant a few things there. She'd done it in the beginning of their farce of a relationship to give her a moment to breathe. Now the progress of the plants only tracked the length of this sham.What was she going to do?Cane was a good man. There was no doubt in her mind about that. Which meant her only solution was to create a trap. The weakest link in the De Jong family was Cane's twin sister.The question was, how did she bully Cane into fixing a divide that had spanned years with his twin just so Mia could use the relationship against him?She picked up her cell.Cane had been in meetings in Pretoria most of the day. Chances were he'd have stopped by to see his dad and half-brothers
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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
