AMIRA by Matthew Betley (feel good books to read .TXT) 📕

Omar ignored the comment.  “After your Director Tooney is dead.  It’s actually pretty simple.  He dies; then you die; and we all escape as your authorities try to sort it all out.”

“Nothing about this seems simple, but what do I know?  I’m tied to a chair.”

“Yes.  You are, and that’s where you’re going to stay until the very end.”

Samuel entered the room.  He placed a hand on Omar’s left shoulder, and said, “It’s time.”

“I just have one last question, a last request, so to speak,” Amira said.

Samuel raised his eyebrows.

“No.  Not for you,” Amira said, redirecting her gaze to Omar.  “For him.”

Omar studied the woman who’d tormented and tortured him, who’d ruined his plans, who’d maimed him.  See what she wants.  She’s going to die soon, anyhow.  “What is it?”

“How did you get wrapped up in all of this?  That’s what I don’t understand.  Someone had to find you to get you involved.  You didn’t get here on your own.”

Omar smiled, knowingly.  “I have you to thank for that.”

Amira’s brow furrowed, perplexed.  “I don’t understand.”

“I know, but they said you would once I tell you this,” Omar continued, sending a chill up Amira’s spine.  “About a year after your attack, a Chinese man came to my village.  He told me he worked for the Chinese government, and he offered me a chance for revenge.  Several months after we achieved independence, the Chinese National Petroleum Company assumed control from Petrodar over the pumping station.  I guess it had something to do with a small war you and your friends waged on the Chinese in Sudan.  Rather than side with the US, both Sudan and my South Sudan reached a deal with China over that new oil field.”

Amira’s head hurt from the implications.  All that blood in Sudan, and yet it’s still not over. 

“But unlike Petrodar, the Chinese understood that they needed to take care of the villagers in Paolich.  Food, medical supplies, and money poured into the local area.  The Chinese even provided engineers to help build a school, something we’d never had.  But the Chinese also have long memories, and they offered me a chance to reclaim my honor.”

“Is executing a woman tied to a chair honorable?” Amira asked.

“How is it any different from what you did to Asim?”  Omar laughed.  “Your arrogance is your undoing.  You really don’t see your hypocrisy.”

As much as it psychologically pained her, she knew he had a point.  It’s all a matter of perspective. 

“The Chinese are tired of the US meddling in Africa, where they’ve invested billions of dollars.  Within ten years, the Chinese economy will be the dominant global economy, especially if they can get the US to stop playing in their backyard.  As a result, they’ve funded my revenge, pure and simple.”  He stood before her, his hands held wide, indicating there was nothing else left to say.

“You know it’s not going to work, right?  No matter what they told you, how much they paid you, what they gave you, it won’t work.  It never does.  My government always finds out the truth, even if they hide it themselves sometimes.”

“We’ll see, but one thing is for certain – in less than twenty minutes, you’ll be dead, and Asim will be avenged.  Goodbye.”

He abruptly turned and left the room, leaving Amira alone with her spinning thoughts.  Please, God.  Let there be a way out.  But if not, let me face my fate bravely. 

Less than a minute later, the door to the suite opened and closed one last time, and Amira was left alone with the woman whose husband she’d executed.

Nafisa entered the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the queen bed to Amira’s right, her back to Amira.  “Finally, we’re alone.  I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this.”

That makes one of us, Amira thought, counting down the seconds in her mind, praying for help she knew wasn’t coming.

Chapter 18

The two women sat in silence for several minutes, which suited Amira as she mentally counted down the clock ticks left in her life.  You can’t blame her.  You killed her husband.  She’s doing what you would’ve done, what you have done.  But you also know she’s blinded by her hatred.  She’s about to throw her life away because after today, if they succeed, they’ll find and kill her.  Of that, Amira was certain.  Once she was dead, John would hunt Nafisa down literally to the ends of the earth.  There’d be no place safe from the wrath of Amira’s lover.  Give her a chance. 

“I understand why you hate me.  Believe me.  I get it, but are you really willing to throw away your life?  Because that’s what you’re doing.  Omar is a monster.  I knew that the night I met him, but I barely had a moment with your husband.  Did Omar tell you the full story of how Asim died?”

Amira felt the loathing, but she prayed there was a glimpse of reason left.

Nafisa turned on the edge, her legs in the space between the two beds, and looked at Amira.  When she spoke, her words were quiet, as if by speaking softly they could counteract the fury behind them.  “He said you shot him in the head, that you never gave him a chance.  That you ambushed them as they fled, caused an accident, and captured them both alive, only to murder my husband.”

That sonofabitch.  He lied to her, at least partially.  You have to get to her to see the truth.  Amira edged forward slightly, the subtle movement intended to emphasize her sincerity.  “Nafisa, I know you despise me, and I know you have no reason to believe me, but what I’m about to tell you is the truth, the entire truth.  Yes.  I killed your husband.  Yes.  I shot him