Lady Death by Brian Drake (good e books to read .TXT) 📕

lead as they departed. A large black BMW 740Li waited in the hotel parking lot. The trio loaded their luggage in the trunk. Kaymak took the wheel. Tanya and Omar sat in the back.

“Where to?” Kaymak said as he left the hotel property and merged into traffic.

Tanya gave him directions. She’d been keeping their departure point a secret until today. They were heading for a port on the edge of the Seine. A yacht waited for them. She explained they would board the yacht, follow the Seine to the English Channel, and meet a ship. The ship would take them the rest of the way to the Islamic Union’s island compound.

From the compound, Tanya would wait for the results of Operation Triangle.

Her assets should already be in place. They knew their orders. They’d planned the operation to include a communications blackout. If the mercenaries faced any issues, they were on their own to solve the problems or abort.

Very soon she’d have her revenge. Not only for her husband, Ahmad, but Francesca and her husband, Tamal. And now her father too.

Tanya was glad to let Sila Kaymak do the driving. Paris traffic infuriated her. She liked the city, but the congestion of people, cars, and buildings took the joy away after a long day. It was as if the city designers had built a town full of buildings and other structures, suddenly remembered they needed roads, too, and cut narrow streets through the mass of buildings. Job done. Time for wine. Typical French bullshit.

She grabbed Omar’s hand and squeezed. He squeezed back and offered a smile. She had to force her face to comply, but she smiled too. They held each other’s eyes a moment. Omar had only required real sleep and real food to return to “normal” and they’d made up for lost time. Before the devastating phone call. But at least they’d had a proper reunion before reality intruded once again.

The drive took longer than she wanted, but soon Sila turned onto the Quai Andrei Citroen. She told him to follow the road all the way to Port de Javel Bas. The Seine sat off to their right side. Plenty of boat traffic crowded the waterway. Tanya shook her head. More congestion. More delays.

But they’d be out of France and on their way soon.

“We have a tail,” Sila Kayak announced.

Omar Talman didn’t look back. He leaned forward to pull the Glock 18C from behind his back. He held the gun low with his booger hook off the bang switch.

Tanya looked back. She said, “Which vehicle?”

“Blue van has stayed with us since the hotel.”

“You’re only telling me now?” she said.

“I wasn’t sure till now.”

Omar turned to look. He spotted the van four cars back in one of the other lanes. He sat forward. Tanya cursed and twisted back too.

“Your sister?” Omar said.

“I doubt it. She knew nothing.”

“Our people in Syria?”

“The CIA might have grabbed somebody, yeah.”

Sila Kaymak said, “I’m open to suggestions.”

Omar looked around. Seine on one side, the waterway full, the wharf crowded with workers and tourists.

Opposite side. More buildings. Restaurants, shops, pedestrians. The road. Nothing but traffic.

“We’re in a box,” Omar said.

“I know, honey.”

Sila Kaymak said, “See the red brick buildings ahead?”

Tanya and Omar craned their necks to see. “What about them?” Tanya said.

“There’s an alley in between we might find useful.”

“Go.”

Omar said, “They’ll want us alive.”

“It’s our job to make sure they don’t succeed, Omar.”

From her purse, Tanya pulled out her own weapon. She racked the slide on the CZ 75B 9mm and flicked up the safety.

Sila Kaymak had the heavy firepower. Hidden in his smaller suitcase was a Swiss B&T APC9 submachine gun.

Omar glanced at Tanya. A grin pulled at the corners of her mouth. She licked her lips. He patted her leg. She took a deep breath. “Leave none of them alive,” she said.

Traffic moved at a moderate pace. Sila swung into the left lane for the turn into the alley between the two red brick buildings. Signs out front identified the businesses, but nobody in the car paid attention. They needed a place to fight.

Sila cut left, crossing the opposing lane, and steered into the alley. The BMW’s engine rumbled as he pressed the accelerator, then hit the brakes. The car slowed to a stop in the middle of the alley.

“Out!” Tanya shouted.

Omar exited first. They had plenty of space between the car and either side of the buildings. Stacked pallets and dumpsters provided cover and concealment. Omar ran to a dumpster and dropped to one knee.

Tanya stayed by the car. It took a moment for Sila to get the APC9 from his suitcase, and he left the case open on the passenger seat. He moved to the hood of the BMW.

The surveillance van entered the alley and the tires screeched as the driver stopped. Tanya opened fire with her CZ 75. The 9mm pistol spat flame. She traced a line of slugs into the windshield. The man in the passenger seat jerked with each hit. A burst from Omar’s full auto Glock blew the face off the driver.

Tanya ran ahead. Omar charged after her with Sila bringing up the rear. She reached the van first, smashing out the passenger window. Climbing onto the running board, she stretched her hand through, screaming as she fired more rounds. The CZ’s action locked open, empty. Sila grabbed the back of her shirt, pulled her away, and assumed her place. He fired the APC9 into the rear, emptying the magazine in seconds.

Omar wrenched open the side door of the van when the B&T fell silent. There was no need for more shooting. Two dead in front, three dead in back. The three in back each wore handcuffs and pistols on their belts. They’d indeed meant to capture him and Tanya alive.

Tanya shouted, “Come on!”

They ran back to the BMW. Sila threw the car into drive and powered along the remaining length of the alley to the street ahead.

Omar, out of habit, reloaded his weapon, but he was