Without Wings Chapter Seventeen

Once again, Edward was back to having a committee deciding what steps he took next. He couldn't charge out there and meet with Dylan on his terms; instead, he had to wait until everyone had hashed out a plan, talking ad nauseam about safety and secrets.

Without Wings Chapter Sixteen

“What have you got?” Edward asked, tearing his attention from a smug-faced Holden.

“An offshore account. Blithers was smart enough not to put it in his first name, but your Dara there is a smart one.” Nigel set the laptop on the kitchen island, scrolling to show them. “She and Ben tracked this fake name across a few accounts, finally connecting it to a nickname Derrick used in high school.”

Without Wings Chapter Fifteen

“My accent would give me dead away,” Dara said, straightening the blonde wig over Bella’s hair. “Or I’d do this with you.”

“I know,” she replied. “Besides, we need you here.”

Without Wings Chapter Fourteen

Having Aerinn back in her arms felt amazing. It might as well have been years instead of months since Bella last saw her. Of course, her feelings couldn't compare to Quinn’s, and she hated how much time he’d missed. It would take even more time before Aerinn accepted the man she hardly knew.

Without Wings Chapter Thirteen

Blood pumped through his veins, thick and heavy. Too many thoughts to count raced through his head, and he needed to be focused 100%. Blithers would not get away with this. It didn't matter what alphabet agency the guy worked for, Edward couldn't allow the betrayal to go unpunished. The guy had betrayed them all, hoping to pick them off one by one like tin cans on a split-rail fence.

Without Wings Chapter Twelve

He should have fucking known better than to leave her behind. God fucking dammit; if anything happened to her before he got back, he’d hand over his gun and let her put a bullet in his head. It still wouldn't be enough to atone for his stupidity.

Edward had just found an exit when he heard her screaming. By the time he made it back to where he’d left her, she was gone. When her earpiece came back online, he nearly shit himself at the things he heard. Bile rose in his throat, and he hurried down the corridor, realizing the compound wasn’t at all what they’d thought it was.

Without Wings Chapter Eleven

It was too easy, that was all she could think. Why didn't they have guards on the roof? And there was no one to stop them from coming into the tunnel. Mullah had used it just the day before, and he reported having seen two guards rotating their positions at the entrance to the cells at the end of the sewer. But now, there was nobody.

Without Wings Chapter Ten

Maybe all they’d needed was a good rough fuck. It had been longer than usual for them, and despite the hell of the mission, they needed an outlet for their emotions. Over the years, Edward had mellowed with maturity, and though she had done the same, it was nice to feel reckless again.

Without Wings Chapter Nine

Edward personally saw to the removal of Tito Gonzalez, ensuring he got on the agency helo sent to retrieve him. Despite wanting to believe James Holden would do the right thing, Edward didn't trust anyone from the CIA anymore. First Kiernan, who had of course died in the line of duty, and then James had given them every reason to question their motives. Their motto was cover your ass at all times, regardless of who they hurt in the process. The agency would supposedly keep Gonzalez at their cold site until further notice; according to Nigel, he was their guest even after they completed the mission.

Without Wings Chapter Eight

The houses along the mountainside in Kabul all ran together, a cluster of adobe structures blending into the background. It made for the perfect hideout, in Bella’s opinion. One house was nearly indistinguishable from the next, the better for them to pretend they weren't even there. Unfortunately, the quarters were far more cramped, which was a massive downside.

Without Wings Chapter Seven

If the beauty of the surrounding seaside matched their moods, then everything would be fine. Instead, Bella worked through her emotional distress by kicking the shit out of the heavy bag in the training room for hours on end. The fact that the room overlooked the ocean with wall-to-wall windows didn't faze her in the slightest. Unable to fix what ailed her, it was up to Edward to comfort her when she finally crashed at the end of each day.