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Chapter 62: Building walls.
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Aegis Group Chapter 63: Between a rock and a hard place.
Mason stood there, caught between what he wanted and what he knew he should do.Hannah turned, her forehead wrinkled, and her eyes narrowed. Distrust, anger, hurt, and more sadness. Because of him. Because she couldn't trust him to be there when he'd led her on, because for the better part of a year they'd danced around this spark, this pull between them.Mason took a step toward her, and then another. He needed to touch her, hold her, tell her he'd figure it out. That there was a solution out there. Anything to make her smile. He wrapped an arm around her waist and she moved, lifting up on the balls of her feet. In that moment he knew he was about to take a critical hit, the likes of which would ruin him forever-and he didn't even try to dodge it.Hannah's lips were soft and the hands she wrapped around the back of his head were unyielding. She kissed his mouth, suckling his lower lip, teasing him. Mason wasn't strong enough to resist her. He'd held onto his resolve for months,
Aegis Group Chapter 64: Nothing like girl talk to sort things out.
Hannah flopped on the sofa, cradling her plate of pizza to her chest. The butterflies had finally settled enough she could eat."Okay, spill." Her roommate, Melissa, settled on the other end of the couch.Deciding where to put the furniture had taken way too much time, and Hannah was starving. They'd known each other for years, thanks to a forum for pastors' kids Hannah had frequented in high school."You've been moony and breathy and weird since I got home. You got your stuff, I see. How'd that go down?" Melissa bit off a bite of pizza, watching Hannah closely."Bad-good-weird. I asked Mason for help." She nibbled on a slice while Melissa sputtered into a napkin."What? Mason? The Mason?""Yes.""What the hell? Spill!""I just-I knew Dylan was not going to cave, so I figured I needed someone big, bad, and scary. I was at the gym, I'd finished with my client and...Mason was there. So I asked. I mean, I didn't have another plan.""And he helped, and then what? Is this
Aegis Group Chapter 65: Facing the music.
Mason pushed the door to Zain's lair open. It was really their Intelligence and Technical department, both of which were under Zain's purview."Dead man walking." Gavin pushed his chair into Mason's path."Go type something." Mason shoved the chair and kid out of his way and kept going to the office in the back. Sweat broke out along his spine and his throat was a little dry. It was well and all to talk a good game when Hannah was in front of him, it was another to set about on a plan of insubordination.Zain stood behind his desk, studying a tablet screen Mason couldn't see. Zain glanced at him and nodded. Mason closed the door and took a seat, tapping out his frustration on the arm rests. Being Zain's cousin wouldn't get him anywhere, and Mason didn't expect Zain to stick his neck out for him, either. From beginning to end, this was Mason's mess."So, Hannah?" Zain didn't look up."Yeah, what was I supposed to do?" Mason laced his fingers together to keep from fidgeting. It
Aegis Group Chapter 66: Obvious attraction.
Hannah leaned across Mason, her breast brushing his arm. Her body tingled at the accidental touch, far too aware of him, the space he took up, and that he hadn't said a single thing to her since take-off. She took the soft drink from the flight attendant, her smile firmly in place.She would not blush.She wouldn't do it.It was an accident.But it was him.And she had the most extreme reactions to anything involving this man.There was the tiniest flex of Mason's muscles, but it was the set of his jaw that gave him away. Melissa had tried to explain the kind of power that gave a woman, but words were nothing in comparison to the giddy thrill of knowing.Other men had been attracted to her over the years, though never at the right time or when she was interested in them.Mason liked her.He wanted her.And she knew it.So why the silent treatment?"Sleep okay?" she asked."Yeah. You?""Barely slept. I was up unpacking and packing." Well, at least he hadn't f
Aegis Group Chapter 67: Five days and all he wants.
Mason yanked the connecting door open and stalked into his room, Hannah haunting his every step."We can go home. No one would know we even left." Her voice was strained, and his mind filled in the pinched, anxious cast of her features. It was the same way she'd stared at him for the last hour of the flight.Was it seriously news to her that her old man was completely unhinged when it came to his daughter? Stevens wasn't a bad commanding officer, though his official title was Director of Operations, or some other corporate-sounding bullshit. All the guys knew that in their rank of command, the only two people who could overrule Stevens were the Admiral and Mama Dean, who ran their medical needs. No one crossed the retired surgeon, not even the Admiral, and Mama Dean didn't interfere until someone had holes punched in them.Mason walked his room, which was a mirror image of the one Hannah would be in. The resort wasn't in Cancun, which was a hundred miles away, but in a newer tour
Aegis Group Chapter 68: Dark promises.
Dylan kicked off his flip-flops and left them under a deck chair on the resort boardwalk. The sun was setting, throwing brilliant shades of orange and purple against the clouds, and the music was cranking up. Soon the vacationing guests would flock to the sound and booze it up on the beach, ready to live it up Mexico style. Whatever that was.He'd only been to the resort a handful of times, usually for Cruz's business meetings, as he liked to call them. Never for actual business. More like sampling the merchandise.Dylan meandered around the pool and toward the sand. Tonight the bar would experience a liquor shortage, planned of course, which would result in only one of the three beach bars being open. This meant that every guest had to see the same bartenders and order from the same register.The biggest bar sat where sand met concrete, a construction of palm fronds and worn boards. At least on the outside. Inside was a different story. But the patrons paid for the beach feel, s
Aegis Group Chapter 69: Catch and release backfires.
Mason sipped his beer and stared out at the ocean, his thoughts beating at his mind in time to the waves, wearing him down.There were some things a man couldn't come back from.Being with Hannah might be one of them. He wanted her. There was no doubt there. But it worth it? Could he come back from this weekend, be with her, and still be whole? Or would she take a piece of him, never to return it? Could he live without that bit of his soul? Or his heart? If he couldn't have the whole thing, did he want a taste?He sensed her presence the moment before Hannah threw her arm around his waist and leaned against his shoulder."There you are." Her words were muffled by the breeze and his shirt. He couldn't deny the raw sense of pleasure it gave him that even after earlier she still came back to him."Yup. Having a good time?" He peered down at her blonde head."Yeah."The two lookers Hannah had hooked up with seemed to be pros at catch and release when it came to guys on the da
Aegis Group Chapter 70: Heating up the beach.
"Mason, are you serious?" Hannah stopped in the middle of the path. They were alone. Whatever they said now, it was just between them. No one could take the moment back to her father or the Admiral. It was theirs.He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles, never once breaking eye contact."I am." Seeing her with someone else later on would make him rage, but at least for this time, here and now, she'd be his. "Are you sure I'm what you want? Or would any guy at Aegis do?""What?" She snatched her hand away, giving him his answer."Just saying, I never quite figured out if it was me, or knowing your dad wouldn't like you with one of his guys." He reached for her hand but she hid them behind her."You seriously think that's me?" She took a step back, her face shocked and angry."Now I know it's not. I had to ask." He circled her waist, grasping her clenched hands and bumped their noses together. This-it was them. Just them. Hannah could have any man she wanted, but it was
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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
