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Chapter 396: Monday. Cane De Jong Office, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Aegis Group Chapter 397: Monday. Unknown, South Africa.
THE SWISH OF the grass as they moved forward had Paxton cringing. It was too much noise. This was all wrong. They had to go back.He was glad to have his rifle cradled in his arms. Talking Coco into pausing long enough for him and Silas to gear up properly had nearly been a fight. If it weren't for the other guys being on their side Paxton would be out here with nothing more than a pair of SIG Sauers in hand. The sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon. There were only a few hours of daylight left and so far they hadn't seen anything other than tire tracks.It had been a long day spent in the sun trekking over rough terrain. Paxton was impressed with Coco. She'd set the pace and kept it going even through the worst of the heat, only slowing down a little.Silas drifted closer until they were walking shoulder to shoulder following Coco.He glanced at Paxton, speaking softly. "We've walked at least ten miles in a straight line with tracks a blind person could follow."Paxton cou
Aegis Group Chapter 398: Monday. Unknown, South Africa.
COCO STARED AT the back of the den where she and Paxton had taken refuge. The tiny cave, if it could be called that, had a very narrow entrance that a human could barely squeeze through. It was the perfect hideaway for any number of animals to birth young. In fact she could smell fresh musk in the air. There weren't babies here, but it was clear to her a mother-their luck, a predator-was preparing this site."Pax? Paxton?""Sh," he whispered."We have to go.""It's not safe out there yet," he said over his shoulder."It's not safe in here." She didn't want to be squatting when the residents came back.Best-case scenario this was a serval den. The cats were predators but not much of a threat to humans. Worst-case scenario they were standing in a leopard's den. On a normal day Coco wouldn't be terribly concerned about a leopard, but a pregnant mother about to give birth? That was a creature Coco didn't want to run into.Coco pushed at Paxton's shoulders. "Now.""Fine." He glanced
Aegis Group Chapter 399: Monday. Unknown, South Africa.
PAXTON HUNG BACK, following Coco as they approached a group of men on the outskirts of what looked to be a tiny village comprised of a few dozen homes. The structures were a combination of old and new. Some were circular and built from stones that looked as if they'd been dug out of the earth. The homes were topped with thatched roofs. A few had satellite dishes perched on top. Still others were a mix of cinderblock and thatch. A few others were nothing more than sheet metal over a frame.Coco began speaking to the men, her hands moving, words coming fast. He wanted to listen and understand the words coming out of her mouth. They were interspersed with pops and clicks, creating a melodic way of speaking that left him dumbfounded. He couldn't speak two languages let alone six. She turned and caught his eye, stretching out her hand toward him.Paxton took her hand, unsure what the purpose was, but allowed her to pull him forward."Hi." He nodded at the men eyeing him with interest, no
Aegis Group Chapter 400: Monday. Johann Nodorf Home, Johannesburg, South Africa.
LUKE SMOOTHED HIS hand down the front of his shirt. It was never a good thing to be summoned to his uncle's house. These visits were never to praise Luke for his work or to congratulate him. Uncle Johann demanded Luke's presence to account for a job not done well enough and there was no question what Uncle Johann was upset about. Luke had heard about the raid on one of their warehouses and knew that was going to be his fault. Somehow Luke should have known.He was the easy scapegoat, had been since he showed up on his uncle's doorstep.Time to face the music.Luke approached the front door of the large home. Uncle Johann could afford to move into one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city, live in luxury, and yet he chose to remain here. The men who'd been his neighbors back in the eighties when he'd bought the house were Uncle Johann's underbosses, each running their own crew and jobs. They practically owned the whole neighborhood. Their wives all played Bunko together, and it
Aegis Group Chapter 401: Tuesday. Mlilo Research Center, South Africa.
THE SUN WAS barely peaking over the horizon. Grit was still stuck in Paxton's eyes. He'd barely slept between wanting to keep an eye on Coco and listening for danger. He shouldn't have played with the kids. The visions of danger were all the more terrifying when he could put names to the precious faces in those nightmares.Coco squeezed Paxton's hand as they walked the distance from the main road toward the old resort where she'd made her home.There was going to be a lot to account for once they crossed through the gates. He needed to enjoy these fleeting moments of calm before the storm. Somehow, despite all the bad going on, they'd landed in a really good place. Sure, they'd had to sleep on the floor of someone's kitchen on a thin mattress, but the atmosphere and kindness had made up for that. The only other place he'd ever felt welcomed like that was with Silas' family. Paxton had been a stranger to those people, and they'd treated him like a long-lost friend. And then there was
Aegis Group Chapter 402: Tuesday. Mlilo Research Center, South Africa.
Paxton stood there, staring at her, wanting it all but unsure if it was possible.Coco grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled it up over his head. He lifted his arms, allowing her to strip him of the T-shirt."Are you going to make me ask?" She tipped her chin up and looked at him.Whatever she wanted he'd give it to her. Short of helping her risk her life again, he knew he'd do anything she asked of him.He loosened the catch of his jeans.Coco took a step back, then another, before turning and stepping into the deep tub.He didn't want to ask, because then she might change her mind. Right now he wanted to be near her, to assure himself she really was okay.Paxton's boots hit the floor, socks still inside, laces barely undid. He got undressed in record time.A small voice in the back of his mind asked, what are you doing?Truth was, he didn't know. From the moment that crowd had parted, and he'd first seen Coco, he'd been caught in her orbit. They were from different parts
Aegis Group Chapter 403: Tuesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
PAXTON COULD HAVE used seven more hours of sleep. Hell, he'd have taken seven more minutes in bed curled around a soft woman. She'd done that thing again, where she used him like a human blanket. Paxton hadn't minded one bit. Too bad they had to get out of bed.It was time to address why someone had set a trap and then waited days to spring it.He opened the door to the former resort turned research facility and held it for Coco. Since the powers that be wanted to keep yesterday under wraps until they'd properly dug into it, they weren't heading to the tent. No, they'd been instructed to report to the conference room. At least that meant cold water and air conditioning.Coco led the way down a hall and to the spacious room with its long table and chairs. Several familiar faces were already seated, including Shane and Lacey, Zain, Daluxolo and his team, plus a woman at the head of the table Paxton had only seen in passing.At a glance, he knew this was a person he didn't want to tan
Aegis Group Chapter 404: Tuesday. Mlilo Animal Reserve, South Africa.
COCO SHOVED THE conference room door open, keeping her head down, and made straight for the side entrance. Right now she wanted to avoid everyone. Except Paxton. She'd found his quiet presence comforting. But he had a job to do, unlike her.Someone had no doubt done her rounds this morning. Coco hated when Mandisa noticed her. One of these days she was going to realize how superfluous Coco really was in the day-to-day activities and she'd be out of a job. Anyone could do the work she did. Sure, she had above average medical knowledge and would do in a pinch when an emergency cropped up, but that didn't make Coco special enough to stay on.She pushed open the side entrance and stepped out into the morning sun. She tipped her head back and drew in a deep breath.Without an education and training, this was as good as Coco could hope for. She had a little money, but not enough for an expensive degree. Eventually Mlilo would fire her or she'd get moved to another position she didn't enjo
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