Lahat ng Kabanata ng Aegis Group Dangerous Ladies: Kabanata 121 - Kabanata 130

Monday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.NORMALLY ASPEN ENJOYED THE afternoon slump right before dinner. The others working in the welcome center would inevitably slink off and she'd pretend not to notice until it was just her. Alone.It was often pleasant.She had a computer and unfettered access to the internet. Of course, she had to be careful what sites she went to and how she accessed things deemed inappropriate or off-limits. But there was always a way.Was now a good time?She glanced at the roll top drawer behind her. She'd stopped keeping anything she cared about in her room. They weren't allowed to lock their doors and there always seemed to be at least one person who liked to steal from others. Here at least Aspen could lock the drawer. She'd brought Mom's book here to read when Buzz told her to keep it. Now, how did she escape with it?Rain placed a stack of stapled intake forms on the edge of Aspen's desk. "So, what next?""Oh, um, that's it for today."

Monday. Safe House, Boa Vista, Brazil.MAX GLANCED FROM THE closed door to Lumen then laughed. He had no idea what the two women had been talking about or how he fit in, but he didn't hate the results."I like her," he said."I don't," Lumen snapped.He crossed to the bed and sat next to her. "You don't mean that."She glared at him. He reached out and rubbed her back. When she didn't snap at him again, he let go of the breath he'd been holding. Another few moments and Lumen's shoulders relaxed."I like her, too," she admitted. "Our branch of Aegis Group is small and very tight knit. Sometimes it feels like Prudence and I are the only two with our heads screwed on straight.""How's she fitting in to your plan?""I've asked her to hold Nabanita and William accountable. I get the feeling Brett will let them walk all over him. I'm hoping Prudence can hold the line.""You think they'll decide to stay?""Nabanita clearly didn't want to leave.""If they don't? If the

Monday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.BLAIR SWIRLED THE WINE in her paper cup. As a kid she'd spent plenty of nights drinking with the others around her age. No one cared so long as they didn't get too sick and could do their chores the next day.Things were a little different now.Sonny's kids were kept apart from the rest, probably at the urging of the lawyers for whatever reason. But that didn't mean that other children weren't walking the same path she did. At least for them they weren't tied to this place. They had options outside the sanctuary and freedoms she could have only dreamed of.She was forging her own path now.Too bad she still needed her father and his people for a little while longer.Blair let her gaze skim the scantily clad people. This side of the river there were fewer rules. The established residents didn't hide their resentment of her. It was misplaced. She'd never intended to touch this enclave behind the hill so long as they kept their acti

Tuesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.MAX KEPT A HOLD of Lumen's hand. He'd caught enough men eyeing her to make him uncomfortable. She hadn't seemed to notice. He wasn't sure if he was glad about that or not. Then again, it was more likely she was aware and pushing on like always.All of those questions about sexual preferences and history stuck in his head. He didn't like the idea of sharing that with strangers. It wasn't their damn business.They'd stashed their bags in the tiniest cabin known to man before meeting up with their new head of family.Rain had enthusiastically explained that everyone was organized into families, that way no one was ever alone. And if the exchange he'd overheard in the office was normal, it also meant there were people assigned to watch each other as well."I think we should avoid our family as much as possible," Lumen said as they struck out on their own.He shoved his hands in his pockets as they walked when what he really wanted t

Wednesday. Creed of Truth Sanctuary, Brazil.MAX HELD THE DOOR for Lumen then locked their cabin. They hadn't said much to each other this morning after a night of tossing and turning. Their little AC unit had stopped working and there hadn't been enough of a breeze through the windows to cool the small space. It was clear Lumen hadn't wanted to talk to him after his confession last night. Cold showers first thing had helped some, but if he knew Lumen she was just as grouchy as he was feeling. Probably more.Neither of them had ever been big into discussing their feelings. He'd been too busy trying to excel. She'd been managing school, a part-time job, extracurricular activities, all while keeping her head down at home. Her parent's marriage hadn't been happy, and it was no surprise that they'd divorced quickly two months after Lumen graduated high school. To say the wedding had been a tense affair was an understatement. The less they said this morning, the better.He still