Page 100 of Warlord’s Empire

“We’ve killed one of them,” Shola said. “So someone has definitely been hurt. You called the Prime Minister?” She put her hand to her earpiece and listened. “Guard Dog is sending more people to cover us so we can get you to the car.”

“Havel?” Saskia asked hopefully.

Shola shook her head. “Havel is at the estate. He and Jozef agree you should go there.”

Saskia rolled her eyes. “Good thing we got their permission.” A spray of bullets struck the wall they were hiding behind.

Shola returned fire, then said to Saskia, “The car’s here. Get ready to move.”

“I’m ready.”

She shoved Saskia’s head down and gripped her collar.

Saskia wrapped one arm around her stomach, while holding her gun against her thigh with the other.

“Now,” Shola said.

It was as though they’d practiced the move a thousand times even though they’d never done it before. They ran in unison, racing through the lobby. Shola’s gun hand was extended, her eyes scanning the area for cover if things went sideways.

Glass crunched under their shoes as they rushed past Cooper who was holding the lobby door open for them. “Straight into the car,” he ordered. “Halil is driving.”

“Thank you,” Saskia said, her tone heartfelt. She knew both men and was grateful they’d come for her.

“Stay safe,” Cooper replied grimly. “I’ll be in the vehicle right behind–” He was flung backwards as a bullet struck him in the chest. He hit the tiled floor, sliding away from them.

“No!” Saskia screamed, trying to run to him.

Shola yanked her back by the collar. “Get in the car now!” She shoved Saskia at the vehicle where she scrambled inside before turning around to reach for Shola.

“Now you!” She dragged Shola in by her shirt, yanking so hard Shola smacked her head on the doorframe.

“Ouch, I’m in,” Shola said, pulling the door closed behind her. “Let go of me.”

Bullets struck the back of the car.

“Go!” Shola screamed at Halil, but the car was already moving. “Keep your head down,” she snapped at Saskia, pushing her until she was laying prone on the back seat.

The car rocked back and forth as Halil raced through downtown Prague. Saskia peeked between the seats, watching cars and people scramble out of his way.

At a clogged intersection he maneuvered the car onto the sidewalk, hitting the horn as pedestrians leapt out of his way.

“How is Cooper?” Saskia asked desperately. “Is he alive?”

“He was wearing a vest,” Halil said dismissively. “It’ll take more than a hit to the Kevlar to put him down.”

Saskia was relieved, but it only lasted a second.

“We have two vehicles in pursuit,” Shola said grimly.

“One of them is ours,” Halil assured her.

“Good.” She slumped in the seat next to Saskia. Her eyes travelled down Saskia, landing on her stomach. “How’s the baby?”

Saskia bit her lip. Her timing was shit, but she didn’t have much choice. “I think my water broke when my apartment was firebombed.” She thought about it for a second, then added, “Or I peed myself, but pretty sure it’s the other thing.”

Shola’s eyes widened. “That’s not funny.”

“It’s not,” Saskia agreed, then lifted her sweater to show Shola the wet crotch of her leggings.