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Chapter 420: Friday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
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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
Aegis Group Chapter 422: Friday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
PAXTON TOOK CANE'S phone from him, the call end screen going dark. He turned toward Zain tapping furiously at his laptop. It was a minor miracle they'd all been at the grill grabbing lunch at the same time."Did you get anything?" Paxton asked."A lot." Zain's tone didn't mean anything good."The vote happened this morning." Cane's voice shook.Paxton glanced back at the man. He could see the resemblance to Coco in the cheek bones, nose and mouth.Cane stared at Paxton from where he sat at the conference table that was now their war room."What do you mean?" Coco asked. She sat next to her brother, her hand on his arm, proving that she wasn't quite done with him yet."I mean..." He turned to look at her. "So many of the things we need to do get stalled or warped because of special interest groups. Lobbyists are polluting the process and we can't get things done that are in the best interest of the everyday man and woman. The reason I've been traveling back and forth between here
Aegis Group Chapter 423: Friday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
EBRAHIM PULLED HIS baseball cap low on his face.This was too easy.The security around Mlilo was focused outward, not inward. All he'd had to do was hop on a delivery truck, keep his head down and ride it on in. Once inside, so long as he kept his hat and sunglasses in place, no one recognized him. There were enough research teams working alongside each other that it was possible to stroll the grounds and be completely anonymous.Where was the bitch?She'd had the audacity to come to his home after what she'd done to him?His family were practically forced out of their home from being harassed by the cops. Ebrahim couldn't hardly show his face anywhere. If it wasn't for Bekker offering him a job if he jumped ship, Ebrahim didn't know where he'd be. He owed that man a hell of a lot.But this?This Ebrahim was doing for himself.The harassment would never end until he made it stop.Today was that day.Coco wasn't the only person who had it out for him, but she was the one who
Aegis Group Chapter 424: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
THE ATMOSPHERE IN the van was tense.Paxton tipped his head back, his gut knotted up, and wished he could call Coco for some wisdom. Right now he just didn't see a good way out of this."Fifteen minutes out," Zain announced.As soon as they'd loaded up from Mlilo and left the park both of the cell signals moved. For almost an hour the signals were in transit, working their way west into Soweto.Each time Zain updated them the lower Paxton's gut sank.The signals had come to a stop inside the open-air market, in the heart of the Bekker crew.Paxton had no problem going after Luke Nodorf. The guy was scum of the worst kind. Paxton knew Bekker's guys were criminals. Most of them weren't anything close to what could be called good people. But then Paxton recalled seeing Cameron there, the pangolin thieving kid backed into a corner. How many of the people who worked for Bekker were like that kid? How many didn't have a choice?There were a lot of things Paxton could say about his dad
Aegis Group Chapter 425: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
COCO LEANED AGAINST the front passenger seat, her arms tied to the headrest with a collection of zip ties that were cutting into her skin.Ebrahim was quiet now. He'd spent well over half an hour yelling at her as he drove the stolen car toward the city.If she'd just gone to check on the pangolins by herself like she'd wanted to, maybe this wouldn't have happened. In the split second when she'd first seen Ebrahim, she hadn't thought about herself. No, she'd first thought about Lacey. How she'd confided that maybe she wasn't as anti-baby as she'd been. That maybe her and Shane would start a family. Then there was Cane. He was her twin and regardless of what he'd done to her, he did good things. People believed in him.Coco could not risk their lives.There'd been no choice for her except to go with Ebrahim, for their sake.From the man's ranting, she'd gathered she was the source of all his life's problems. From why his family had been forced to move to why his plans hadn't worked
Aegis Group Chapter 426: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
PAXTON SPRINTED PAST the perimeter, past his friends.Coco had been taken by the very man who'd already tried-and failed-to kill her. That time Paxton had been there to save her. This time he hadn't been there for her."Pax? Pax!" Silas bellowed.Paxton ignored him and kept going, past the cop cars.He caught sight of Zain standing behind a police van speaking with two officers. A short distance away the SUV Zain had ridden in idled, the windows down, one of the fresh meat guys at the bumper watching the crowd.That was Paxton's ride.He changed his course and in three strides he was at the driver's side door. He pulled it open and climbed inside, pausing only to unclip his rifle from his vest and slid it into the passenger seat.Silas ran straight into the hood of the SUV, staring at Paxton.He leaned out the window and yelled, "Move."Silas shook his head and Paxton didn't have to hear him to know he was cursing a blue streak, probably in Spanish. Silas always did go bilingu
Aegis Group Chapter 427: Friday. Johannesburg, South Africa.
PAXTON STARED AT the old money houses. Each one was surrounded by a tall fence, some topped off with wrought iron spikes. Gaining access to the property where Luke was holing up would be their first problem. After that he was fairly certain it came down to available bullets and bodies to put them in.Brett broke the silence. "Johann Nodorf, up here on the left, that's the house where the cell signals are transmitting. All three of them."Paxton eyed the collection of guys from Henchmen R Us hanging out front of the Nodorf house. Getting in there wasn't going to be easy. The moment they made their move, if Luke was smart, he'd grab for Coco."Okay, how we doing this?" Silas glanced at the side of Paxton's head. "We aren't just going to roll up to the fence, get out and see what happens."Paxton wanted a perch and his rifle. He'd pick off the whole lot of them. But that was asking a lot."If it was me?" Vito shifted, leaning into Paxton's line of sight in the rearview mirror. "I'd t
Aegis Group Chapter 428: Friday. Johannesburg, South Africa.
WHERE WAS HER action hero guy now?Coco shifted. At least she was more comfortable zip tied to a length of chain anchored into the floor of the garage than she'd been earlier.She focused on breathing deep, nice and slow. She'd come to in the car to them screaming and crying that Luke had killed her. While her head hurt like hell, she wasn't substantially banged up. He'd just gotten her just right on the temple and she'd blacked out. There'd be a knot later, but chances were that wasn't what could kill her.Right now she had to remain calm for her brothers. They were in this mess because of Cane and her. They were innocent.What about Mia?She glanced at the other woman. Mia had pulled as far away from Coco and her brothers as possible, the other two children clinging to her and whimpering.This was the woman Cane wanted to marry? Did he even know her?So far Mia hadn't said anything to Coco beyond a few muttered words. They didn't meet each other's gaze, they might as well be i
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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
