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Chapter 426: Friday. Soweto, South Africa.
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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
Aegis Group Chapter 429: Friday. Johannesburg, South Africa.
PAXTON WAS THE first through the wall. He had his rifle in hand, a ball of coldness in his chest. His finger twitched to pull the trigger, but he wouldn't take that first shot. It mattered. He'd do what he had to so that Coco was saved, but he wouldn't fire first."The girl. The girl, where is she?" Silas bellowed, charging into the lush back yard of the Nodorf home.The man on the porch rolled to his back and lifted a gun."Do not shoot," Paxton roared.The man's arm flinched, and the muzzle lit up with the first shot.Paxton squeezed the trigger."Pax! Pax, the door!" Silas yelled.Paxton glanced at the door where a metal barrier was lowering into place. He could just barely hear the motors humming.A window to his left shattered, blowing glass and bullets.Paxton rolled forward, hiding behind a short stone wall surrounding the grill area."Go, go, go," Brett called out as he reached them. "I'll cover you."Paxton didn't hesitate. He shot forward, his gaze on the narrowing
Aegis Group Chapter 430: Friday. Johannesburg, South Africa.
COCO SAT ON the bumper of the ambulance. She knew she'd been sitting here for a while, staring at the asphalt but she couldn't make herself move. It was all a blur. She wasn't even sure how she'd wound up here, just that here she was.The last clear thing she remembered was locking eyes with Paxton and then...Her mind shied away from it. Her skull ached. She was impossibly cold despite it being early evening still."Coco!"The sound of her name had her chin jerking up.Paxton?The man jogging toward her had her face. No blond hair. No broken nose. He was familiar, just not the person she wanted to see.Cane closed the distance between them at a run. When had her intellectual brother taken up running?There was so much they didn't know about each other anymore. She was clueless when it came to her other brothers, too.Brothers.Oh, God.Her throat tightened. How could she have forgotten?Cane reached for her, his hands gripping hers."James? Patrick?" Their names came out
Aegis Group Chapter 431: Friday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
PAXTON SHOULD HAVE already been gone, but he couldn't exactly show up at the airport covered in blood and expect to be allowed to board a plane. No matter how much his mind screamed at him to go, to get out of there before Coco returned, he couldn't just leave his things there.She wasn't going to understand any of this. Part of his head screamed at him to stop, slow down, think it all through. But his gut knew better. What he'd done today had been easy, except for the part where he feared Coco might have been injured or dead.Coco was fine. She was alive. The cops and Silas would watch out for her.Paxton, on the other hand, needed to go home.The guys would be here for another week. He'd have the house to himself for seven whole days. He couldn't remember the last time he spent that much time alone. It would be good for him.So why was he moving so slowly? And where the hell were the rest of his dirty clothes?Something jostled the front door.He froze, listening for the sligh
Aegis Group Chapter 432: Epilogue.
A year later. Cane De Jong's Home, Johannesburg, South Africa.COCO DIDN'T KNOW how her brother had pulled this off. She couldn't remember both sides of their family having ever been in the same room before.Her father and step-dad were snickering like kids and fiddling with Cane's stereo.Mom, Olivia and Mia had taken over the kitchen, fussing over the food.The boys were sprawled on the sofas, taking turns on the two hand-held gaming devices.It had taken Coco moving half a world away for her to really get to know her family. She'd talked to each of these people more in the last twelve months than she had in years.And the cherry on top? Cameron and his mother were here.Cane had really stepped up after everything went down with Luke. One of the things Coco had been most touched by was how Cane went to bat for Cameron. He'd not only hired a lawyer and got the boy free, he'd found Cameron a job with one of his peers in Soweto handling social media and administrative tasks. Ev
Aegis Group Chapter 433: Wednesday. Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Volume 9: Dangerous SecretsSILAS HERRERA WAS NEVER doing anyone another favor for as long as he lived.Hell, he should have learned his lesson after the last favor he'd done for his best friend had them tromping through hip high savanna grass hunting people that liked to shoot at other people.This time he was learning that lesson. This was a mistake he would not repeat. Ever.No. More. Favors.He scrubbed a hand over his face. At least this job was simply tedious. There were small things to be thankful for. No one shot at them. He got to stay in nice hotels. Nothing exploded. His meals had been decent. There hadn't been any deaths. Though he was about ready for a change of pace. If he had to watch one more emergency make-up situation, he might just stab his own eyes out.He glanced at his watch again. If his asset waited much longer, he'd have to insist she hold tight while he scouted the route to the meeting room again.Did he dare tell her to get her ass in gear?Not in t
Aegis Group Chapter 434: Wednesday. Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
EKKO'S FACE HURT FROM smiling and she was fairly certain she could taste the journalist's cologne. She was so ready to be done with this and back home. Being on camera and talking to her regular viewers was nothing like this circus. But if she wanted to stay alive, the best thing for her to do was make sure the cameras were rolling.She was playing with her life being this close to Dauria.Dauria was a messed up hell hole hiding behind a curtain of national pride. She was eternally grateful her parents had made it out and that they'd enjoyed freedoms the people of Dauria didn't dare dream about."And that's a wrap." The journalist on Ekko's left turned toward her.His gaze dipped to her chest. Normally she only wore tops that came up to her collarbone for this reason. She ground her teeth together, hating the need to put up with this.Now, where was that bodyguard of hers? Was it too much to ask that the man stop watching her for thirty seconds?The journalist leaned toward her,
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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
