Rae takes me aside after the meeting, concern etched on her face.
“Listen…no official directive was given on this, so I’m going to give you some good advice. If Hassan recognizes you, take him out. Even if we reassign you, he won’t rest ’til he finds you.”
I look from side to side, whispering even though there’s no one within earshot. “But he’s a high-value asset.”
“You’re more important. We can always find new assets. Things are going well with Phoenix, and you haven’t even been on him very long.”
“Okay. It’ll be my last resort, but I’ll take him out if I have to.”
“Good. I’ll be on coms during the op, okay? You hit me up if you need advice on anything.”
I nod. “And Olivia…she’s strong in the field, right?”
“Very strong. I wouldn’t let you be sent into a situation like this with anyone but the best.”
“When do we leave?”
She looks at her wristwatch. “Now. There’s a plane waiting at the airstrip.”
Hassan is outwardly cool,but I can see the panic in his eyes. This is the look he likes people to give him, and I’m oddly satisfied to see the tables turned.
“You a go?” Olivia murmurs to me.
I nod and brace myself for what we’re about to do.
We bribed a guard at the compound where Hassan is being held, but the guy could still easily sell us out. If we don’t work fast, we’ll share the same fate Hassan’s facing. I’m not getting my ass killed over that douchebag.
Olivia and I sized up the room Hassan is being held in through the small, square window in the door. I unlock the door with the key the guard gave us, open it, and step inside the room.
“Women?” Hassan smiles with amusement. “He sent two women in here to kill me? I’m a little offended.”
Rae outfitted us in the perfect disguises. Olivia and I are both wearing full burkas. With only my eyes visible and green contacts to change their color, I’m not worried Hassan will recognize me.
Hassan is sitting on a wooden chair, his hands tied behind him. Olivia covers the distance between the door and him in record time and delivers a swift right hook to his face that dazes him for an instant.
“Quit it,” I whisper into the mic connected to the headpiece I’m wearing beneath my burka. “He has to trust us enough to leave here with us.”
“Dickhead,” Olivia mutters.
I approach Hassan and untie the ropes binding his hands. He immediately rubs the red marks on his wrists.
When I meet Olivia’s eyes, she reads my unspoken message. I can’t risk speaking in front of Hassan because he may recognize me. Olivia launches into a brief explanation.
“We’re here to get you out. Do as I say, or we’ll shoot you.”
Hassan looks at her with appreciation. “I’m obliged. I’ll need a weapon.”
“You’ve got us,” she says. “That’s plenty.”
“Who hired you?”
“The tooth fairy.” Her tone is tinged with annoyance. “Now let’s get the fuck out of here.”
We got to Dubai four days ago and have been staking out the compound and making plans since. It feels good to finally be on the operation, but it’ll feel better when we’re out of here.
“That hallway leads to the courtyard,” Olivia says to me. “That’s what the guard said.”
I shake my head, walk over to the door, and lock it, then take the chair and wedge it beneath the door handle.
