Lahat ng Kabanata ng Aegis Group Task Force: Kabanata 121 - Kabanata 130

Eighteen Months Later. Monday. Thames House Security Service Headquarters. London, United Kingdom.MILES GREEN STARED STRAIGHT ahead at his reflection, arms pumping at his side while guitars shredded his ear drums. It would take about fifty miles or so to run his anger out. He was committed to the task. It wasn't like there was anything else he could do. Until the internal review was done, he was effectively sidelined from doing anything meaningful.Once more he cursed his past self. If he'd just looked away. If he hadn't noticed the woman's tears. If he hadn't gone by the book.He'd never been able to handle a woman crying. It was his weakness. He didn't know where it came from. The only thing that made sense was that there hadn't been many tears in their household growing up. He didn't know how to handle them. Logically, it was a load of bull, but it was the only answer he made.If he went back, he'd have made the same damn call because it was the right thing to do. And he

Monday. Thames House Security Service Headquarters. London, United Kingdom.MILES STRODE DOWN THE hall. There were only two women this side of the security check-point. They had to be the first wave of the American team he'd been warned about. A list of names scrolled through his head, but only one stood out right now.Diha Balakrishnan.Before this moment, he couldn't place the name. But now that he saw her, he had a vague memory of a shy, mousey woman.Funny, when he thought about that operation before this moment, he couldn't place her there. But seeing her here filled in that hole.He was struck with the strangest memory. The team had been gathered to hash out some details. They'd taken a short break and he recalled turning and his gaze landing on her. She'd been pouring herself tea. She was the only person at the table who hadn't spoken, and he'd sat there wondering if she spoke at all. What purpose did she serve? What use was she? To be part of the team she'd been on

Diha gave Cat a level stare. While it was one thing for Evan and Felecia to work together-they were married now-workplace relationships would only make the team dynamics more complicated.Cat ignored the look and began unpacking the chaos for her desk.The other four Aegis Group team members drifted in, filling the small office. Though each man was distinct in his own way, they were all of a certain type. Big. Imposing. Dangerous. In the beginning she'd been intimidated by them, but not anymore. During the short time they'd worked together, she'd found endearing qualities about each."Diha, hey." Evan Ivanov approached her desk. "I was supposed to give you this before the flight, but I missed you."He handed a small, colorfully wrapped box to her. No doubt something from Fiona. Diha smiled and pocketed the gift to open later when she was alone. No need to give Harper ammunition against both of them."Zora around yet?" Jamie Silva peered into the corners, as if their illustrio

Monday. Thames House Security Service Headquarters. London, United Kingdom.DIHA SCROLLED THROUGH THE data, letting her gaze drift, snagging on whatever word stuck out to her.There was a large amount of information on the train derailment. Almost too much. It had taken Diha most of the afternoon to first organize the files in a way that worked for her, then set her program to sort and index. Now, hours later, she had something to work with.When Zora had brought her onto the team, Diha would never have imagined what her job would entail. It was so much more vast than simple cyber security. She was a virtual detective and analyst rolled up into one. And occasionally she still reset a few passwords for old time's sake.The key here was to look at things differently. Capable MI5 intelligence officers had gone over everything dozens of times. She couldn't do things the same way they had. She needed to twist and turn things to see them in a different light, and from there arrive

Tuesday. Thames House Security Service Headquarters. London, United Kingdom.DIHA STOOD JUST INSIDE her lab, looking up at Miles. There was something about being the focus of his attention that made her heart speed up, stomach tie in knots and her toes wiggle. He was an intense man.If it weren't for Harper and the others, she might have caved under a stare like that. She wouldn't exactly thank Harper for toughening her up."T-thank you, Mr. Green." Her knees were a bit weak. She'd been up far too long, and wouldn't have the chance to crash until much later.Her stomach growled, but she hoped he didn't hear over the other sounds of people talking and moving about the office.Miles' gaze dipped down. It was so fast she would have missed it if she weren't watching him. "Ms. Balakrishnan?""Diha, please?" She was rather impressed he hadn't stuttered over her surname once, but it was a mouthful.He paused, as if considering the request. Would he refuse? Was it odd to sugge