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Chapter 413: Wednesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
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Aegis Group Chapter 414: Thursday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
PAXTON GAVE COCO'S hand one last squeeze before reaching for the tent flap and pulling it back. She let go of his hand and stepped past him, into the tent with its combined audience of Aegis Group and Mlilo's anti-poaching team.He wasn't sure how today was going to go. He'd lain in bed this morning mulling the problem over with no solutions.Now what?Zain stood in the corner with Shane and Daluxolo. Zain glanced toward Paxton, catching his eye and jerked his head. Paxton changed directions and strode across, joining the three men already in discussion."What's up?" Paxton asked.Zain's gaze was serious, all business. "I just want to confirm that you didn't see anything last night that proves Utata's death?"Paxton hooked his thumbs in his pockets and glanced at Shane. "I thought you didn't want to know about last night.""Did you find any of the darts?" Zain asked."No." Paxton grimaced. "We looked. I brought Coco in and we didn't see the horn. Then the fire started up and ou
Aegis Group Chapter 415: Friday. Pretoria, South Africa.
LUKE SLID INTO the back seat of his Mercedes, the leather cool against his skin.Uncle wanted results. He wanted to see some profits.Fine.Somehow Luke would have to turn a pretty profit and fix a vote all in the same few days. He could do this. One thing at a time.Money was the easiest option.It was time one of his investments began paying him back.Sometime last year a man by the name of Bekker had come to see him. Several of his crew had gotten arrested while trespassing on a rhino farm. Luke had only been able to help Bekker a little. The case against his men was airtight and there was too much evidence. Without the manpower Bekker was going to have to close up shop. And there was where Luke had seen the opportunity. He'd made Bekker a deal. Luke would negotiate an arrangement between an arms dealer to get Bekker the best equipment possible. In exchange Luke got a small percent of the profits.Bekker wasn't close to paying Luke back what he owed, but he was about to pay
Aegis Group Chapter 416: Friday. Johannesburg, South Africa.
COCO COULDN'T ACTUALLY believe she was here.Johannesburg was such a world away from her daily life at Mlilo. Concrete buildings rose into the sky. Sleek cars went on their way with little to no dust covering the exterior. Purple Jacaranda trees were in bloom here and there. Tall, digital billboards of chocolate skinned goddesses advertised products Coco had never heard of.She took a deep breath, and it was as though she couldn't get enough air. There were too many people, too much noise.A warm hand wrapped around hers.She glanced at Paxton, grateful he'd offered to drive her into the city. Lacey and Shane were in the back seat, and Coco knew her best friend would offer the same comfort, but it was Paxton she wanted. She focused on his profile, the bumps in his nose, those tiny scars at his temple, rather than the world passing them by.How was it they'd found each other?There'd never been a man in her life who she wanted to be with all the time. Until Paxton. She was beginni
Aegis Group Chapter 417: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
"WHAT THE FUCK, man?"Paxton thrust one of the handheld cameras into Silas' hands. "Don't start."Ex-CIA agent Brett Jones was slower to join them."Seriously, what the fuck?" Silas flipped open the view finder then glanced at Paxton."A lot's happened." None of which he was happy about. Once Coco and Lacey had gotten going, there was no stopping them. As Shane had pointed out, they could either try to stop them and then scramble to catch up when the ladies struck out on their own, or they could orchestrate this.Silas held his hand up to his ear. "Did I hear you right when you said we're going to confront this ultra deadly poaching group that's protected by the South African version of the mafia?""Yeah. Any questions?"He glanced at Brett then Paxton. He and Silas stared at each other, and Paxton knew whatever his friend was about to say he wasn't going to like it."Why, dude?" Silas asked."Because someone has to watch her back." It was the answer that fit, the one Paxton c
Aegis Group Chapter 418: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
COCO STARED AT EBRAHIM. She knew his name and had seen his handiwork, but this was the first time they'd locked eyes. Or at least that's what she'd have expected.She knew this man, but not by the name Ebrahim.It wasn't uncommon for the larger poaching operations to get someone hired on at a place like Mlilo. They'd get an inside view on security, a leg up. She remembered working with Ebrahim, even if he hadn't been there long."Decided you didn't like the name Isaac anymore?" She crossed her arms over her chest and swallowed down the burning sensation in her chest.Ebrahim wrinkled his nose, a smile curling his lips. "It didn't fit."Someone across the room shifted and their foot scraped. Coco glanced at the person and her heart fell.The boy, Cameron, the one she'd run down on her motorcycle for taking Sushi Roll, stood holding a backpack, staring at her. So much for their bargain over groceries."Is this what you do? Groom people so you can murder a whole species?" She ges
Aegis Group Chapter 419: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
LUKE STARED AT the offering fate had brought him. Maybe his luck was turning around?He'd come here to see about making a penny and found the other De Jong.She'd changed for the better since their high school days. Gone was the scrawny girl and in her place was a shapely woman with shoulders that would carry the world.Back then, he'd first noticed Coco in a science class. It was impossible not to notice her with the way the teachers always called on her to give the correct answers, and she never failed. With his grades slipping, he'd sought her out, trading snacks for tutoring. He'd liked her, but at that early age he'd let the social opinion of her cloud his advances.Except for their last year. He'd given in and asked her out. But like so many other parents, hers had intervened, telling him to stay away because his last name was Nodorf.And his parents thought he could escape that? That if he worked hard enough, studied enough he'd be able to be his own man?That was the lie.
Aegis Group Chapter 420: Friday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
COCO STARED OUT at the private pool outside Lacey's honeymoon villa. Guilt ate at Coco for begging off the spa treatment. She couldn't relax and the thought of someone leaning into her personal space made her want to crawl under a table and never come out."Here." Lacey pushed a cold bottle of water at her."I'm really sorry," Coco mumbled."Stop." Lacey grasped her by both shoulders and turned Coco to face her. "Do not apologize, got it?"Coco stared miserably at her best friend."Talk to me. Tell me what's going on." Lacey nudged Coco toward the sofa. "Lunch will be here any minute."She retreated, sinking onto the cushions and curling her legs under her.Where did she start?"How can I be mad at people like Ebrahim for poaching when what happened to them was equally bad?" Coco asked."Two wrongs don't make a right. Before you say anything else, yes, I realize this is a complicated situation. We've been over that. The darts were there. That means Ebrahim is probably also beh
Aegis Group Chapter 421: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
MIA HELD TIGHT to Patrick and James, her heart pounding against her ribs.This was not what they'd discussed. This was not the plan.The hours ticked by. The shed grew hotter, the boy's skin was sticky with sweat. They'd stopped asking her questions, which was a relief. It wasn't like she could explain what the plan had been to them without incriminating herself.The less she said the better. She knew she was going down. Whatever Luke was doing, someone had to take the fall, and she still owed him. Hell, she deserved to go down for what she'd done to Cane.She bent her head and kissed the top of James' head. He was the same age as her oldest, and it was easy to envision herself sitting in the dark with her own babies trapped in this nightmare."Someone's coming," Patrick whispered."Stand. Come on." Mia pushed to her feet, helping both boys up.She took their hands, holding on tight, and stared at the line of light under the door. First one shadow bisected the line then anothe
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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
