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Chapter 44: Prepared for everything.
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Aegis Group Chapter 45: Can we try this again?
TRAVIS HELD HIS BREATH, waiting for Bliss' answer. Sweat dampened his palms, along his hairline and down his spine."This?" she asked."Us."She spread her hand out against his chest, over his heart, but didn't speak."You said I'd broken your trust." He ran a finger through her silky hair. He'd never touched anything so soft or sleek before."You did, but you came back. I shouldn't have put you on the spot like that. That was unfair. I mean, everything you've told me about yourself...""That I'm a fuck up?""No." This time she slapped his thigh. "You're being difficult."He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. She made him smile. He liked himself when he was around her."I know what I am. I know what my strengths and weaknesses are. I'm not a good man, Bliss. A good man would let you make up your own mind, but I can't. I need you. It's not something I'm used to. If you need time I'll try to be patient, but I'm not good at it.""How exactly do you plan on mak
Aegis Group Chapter 46: What about Priscilla?
WENDY RINSED OUT THE bottle and stuck her tongue out at Paul, who was already drifting off to sleep.The house was quiet, caught in the drowsy hours between when most people were asleep and when they headed out for their day. It was the perfect time to get a few things done before everyone woke up.She opened the fridge and frowned. They had practically nothing to feed the masses currently residing in her home. Priscilla was picking up the groceries, but Wendy hadn't made a list of everything she wanted between all the activity last night."Utility room door open," the security system announced.Wendy turned and listened to the light footsteps and crinkling plastic."Priscilla! You're early. Here, let me help." She rushed to the housekeeper's side and took one of the heavy bags.It felt good to be the woman of the house again, with things to do and people to feed. When was the last time she'd cooked a meal that didn't need to be microwaved?"Is there more, or is this it?"
Aegis Group Chapter 47: Taken again.
WENDY HUDDLED IN THE back seat of yet another car. She'd lost count around the second or third. Time blurred together. She had no idea where they were, except she could still see the casinos in the distance. All she knew was that Carlos was in the trunk, safe and unhurt.What had Priscilla done? What had he done to her?"We're here," Daniel announced.He pulled the car under a metal carport that stretched several yards to her left. The buildings around them were warehouses, big metal structures. The street was empty of traffic or pedestrians, just them. No one to cry out to for help or report them to the cops.She clutched her bound hands to her chest. The tracker was still there, attached to her bra strap. Priscilla had known. She'd even asked, ensuring the device was on her.Wendy couldn't fault Priscilla for what she'd done. If Daniel threatened her family, Wendy knew the lengths to which she was willing to go to keep them safe."Where are we?" she asked."Here.""Wh
Aegis Group Chapter 48: A call for help.
TRAVIS STALKED DOWN THE driveway. Ryan, Connor, and Jade stood in a circle with a few uniformed officers. The frigid breeze sliced through his clothes, but it was nothing compared to the damning looks from Bliss' parents.It wasn't his fault eyes hadn't been on the perimeter, or that the house staff wasn't being watched, but he still should have known. If he were dealing with a client under threat, it's the kind of thing he'd expect to happen. But this was a deranged serial killer with a fucked up god complex, and most of Travis' rules were out the window."Hey Travis. How's the family?" Connor asked."Pissed as hell. What the fuck happened?""Check those locations and report back to us," Ryan said to the uniformed officers.The cops got in their cars and zoomed off, no doubt under pressure to wrap this up. No one wanted this kind of trouble in a major tourist destination on New Year's. Shit. The days had zoomed by for him. He hadn't realized what day it was."Jade and I ar
Aegis Group Chapter 49: Calls from the dead.
"WENDY, WHERE ARE YOU? I'll come get you.""Don't say anything. Don't tell anyone about this call." Wendy sounded frantic as she breathed into the phone."What? Why? Are you still with Daniel? Did you get away?""No-""Give me the phone," a man said in the background.Daniel.Wendy hadn't gotten away. She was still a prisoner.Bliss clutched Paul to her chest and stared at the bedspread.Something bad was going to happen, and she couldn't stop it."Hello?" Daniel said."I'm here." She sat up straighter, refusing to cower at the sound of his voice."Don't get any smart ideas and tell the cops about this call. Are they listening?""No. I'm up in a bedroom by myself.""Good. Good." He practically purred with approval.Her stomach rolled and Paul grunted in his sleep. She eased her hold on him and willed him back to sleep."What do you want? You know the cops are looking for you.""I'm making a one-time offer. Meet me in half an hour, and I'll trade your sis
Aegis Group Chapter 50: Sister trouble.
"DO YOU THINK HE had a car waiting here? Or did he boost something parked on the street?" Travis studied the blocked-off street. He wanted to get out of the SUV and walk the scene, look for a clue, but then he'd be in the way of the professionals.Officers and what had to be the forensics team clustered around the first car, Priscilla's. The one Daniel had driven into the gated community and right up to the house to kidnap Wendy in."Nah. Two hostages? He had to have something waiting." Connor twisted to look behind them."If they're both tied up, what's he got to worry about? Wendy's not strong enough to break loose, and the kid's probably scared shitless.""Time. He knew we would chase him, so he needed to get away clean and change vehicles before we got too close. He had to have something waiting at this location. He knew he was coming here. Look at the street. There's no camera in sight. He knew he'd change vehicles without us knowing what to look for.""What about there?
Aegis Group Chapter 51: You're late.
BLISS CLUTCHED THE WHEEL and stared up at the large, metal building.She was late.Almost ten minutes late.She'd run red lights and broken every speed limit posted, but she was still late.Was Carlos still alive? What about her sister? Were they gone?She pulled the gun and bullets out of her hoodie pouch. One went in the other, right? She slid the row of bullets into the gun until it clicked. Now, she just had to hope it was as simple as removing the safety and firing. Otherwise she was shit out of luck. She really should have taken Travis up on that gun lesson he talked about. If she survived this, she was learning how to shoot.Bliss pushed her door open and stood. The bitter breeze bit into her limbs, leeching the warmth away.It was the mountains and snow all over again.She slid the gun into the waistband of her jeans like she'd seen Travis do. It felt weird and unnatural pressed against her spine, but at least this way her hoodie wasn't hanging down to her knees
Aegis Group Chapter 52: Thirty minutes or the kid dies.
TRAVIS UNCLIPPED HIS SEAT belt and leaned forward, gun in hand.The cell phone signal was close. They had it narrowed to a four block radius. Now, to find Bliss before something else bad happened to her. If Daniel hurt her, if she died, Travis would never be able to forgive himself. Her blood would be on his hands, because he hadn't protected her.Connor's phone rang and once more he shoved it at Travis."It's Lali. Answer it."He flipped the phone to speaker and held it between them."What'cha got?" Connor eased them around a turn. The shopping strip was busy with post-holiday traffic. Anyone could blend in here."An address. Gavin-I don't want to know what he did-but he got the texts off Bliss' phone." There was furious typing in the background, a lot like what it sounded when Travis had Gavin on the line."What is it?" Travis glanced at the street signs.Lali rattled off the address.Travis brought it up on his phone and his vision hazed red."That's ten miles fr
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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
