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.

Without Wings Chapter Six

QPOV

It’s been a while since I’ve worn a suit, but I make the effort to relax, to appear as though it’s my everyday attire. The Hotel Intercontinental in Kabul is five-star and perfectly suited to my undercover persona. Every day, I get dressed in a three-piece suit, straighten my hair—now dyed blond—and exit the hotel. My day consists of breakfast in an expensive cafe, pretending to work on my laptop, and meetings with other agents planted as businessmen. The effort is to look busy, important, and wealthy. As though my company is doing so well, they’d be fools to pass up the opportunity to work with me. Wilhelm is my translator, and he accompanies me everywhere I go. Our information gathering is the true reason for our stay in Afghanistan, and though I learned Farsi, Pashto is more difficult to master. Wilhelm's primary job is to eavesdrop on our surroundings so I can focus on what’s in front of me.

Fire In The Water Chapter One

Edward

A heavy fog rolled through the sleeping town as I said goodbye to my dog and set off down the street on foot. The salty tang of ocean water hanging in the air reminded me of home, but it wasn't quite the same. As a matter of fact, it was on the opposite coast; I'd moved all the way to the other side of the country. It wasn't in my plans, but nothing had been for a majority of the last decade. Nothing had ever come easy for me, no matter how old I got or what I accomplished. Hard work didn't always pay off, honesty wasn't always the best policy, and the truth hadn't set me free; it had fucked me over.

Without Wings Chapter Five

Once again, Bella’s gun was an extension of her hand. Her ribs ached with the repetitive training exercises, and yet she worried none of it would be enough. But, for now, the weapon in her hand gave her a sense of control. The center of the target now bore innumerable holes from where she’d shot it. Though sweat threatened to drip into her eyes, she forced herself not to focus on the inevitable, instead emptying her last clip at the body-shaped form printed on paper several hundred yards away from where she stood.

Malicious Compliance Chapter Twenty-two

Nerves quickly made themselves known with stinging nettles in Edward’s gut. It was now or never, and he wasn’t known for being a pussy. All their friends were there, the old and the new. Jake and Seth brought floral displays, which they played off as no big deal for a lovely celebration such as theirs. For a minute, it scared Edward to think Bella would catch on. But she’d made desserts galore, and Austin brought champagne. Throw in Alice’s decorating skills, and the venue they’d chosen was fully decked out.

Malicious Compliance Chapter Twenty-One

The fucking little minx. He had to give her credit for that one. “Oh, I don't think so.”

“I do.” Backing up, Bella tried to duck around the chair as he advanced on her.

Though he wasn't 100% back to himself, he knew he could catch her easily. There was furniture to dodge, and the place wasn't that damn big.

Without Wings Chapter Four

Colorado was fucking hard. They’d all gone lax in the last few years, and it showed. Although Edward used the gym three to four times a week, the commander was kicking his ass. Bella seemed to struggle the most, having intentionally given up the regimen she’d practiced for years. At the end of each day, they barely had the energy to eat and drop into a deep sleep.