Page 122 of No Fear

“This was where the intel came from about the Aziz brother’s location at that house?” Donnie asked.

“Yes. He was Omar Aziz’s daughter, Asma’s bodyguard. Been deep for nine months. That’s how he got his intel. He was trusted by the brothers.”

“So how did he get made?”

“We don’t know. For now, we need to focus our attention on the embassy in Daram. Kelly and the team confirmed there has been an uptick in chatter around Reborn. There is talk of the New Dawning of Allah rising soon. I just spoke with Liam. The protests outside the government office and the American embassy are growing in size.”

“Have they ordered the evacuation?”

“Talks fell apart yesterday. Washington has a call with the ambassador this afternoon. I expect we will get a call shortly after. We know there are fifteen Americans remaining there, including the ambassador. I’ve asked for a detailed staff list which we should get shortly. We’ve been running scenarios all week. Let’s get back at it and make sure they’re airtight.”

“Any chatter on the Aziz brothers?” Dex asked.

“Not directly. But if they are planning to try and take power, they’re going to be there to claim it. This could be the chance we’ve been waiting for.”

Donnie had no choice but to push Charlie from his mind while they planned the embassy evacuation. He had not been cleared to operate yet, but it had been made clear he would be a part of this operation, even if it was here from the Farm.

They spent three hours going over their plans. When they finally took a break, Donnie checked his phone but had no missed calls.

“Hey Donnie, let’s wrap this up so we can hit the range.” Dex poked his head around the door.

“Yeah. Coming.” He pocketed his phone and followed Dex out. When he and Dex got to the gun range, he was grateful it was just the two of them. He didn’t need an audience. Not today.

“You good?” Dex asked as Donnie checked his SIG. Just a handgun today. His beloved rifle would have to wait a while longer.

“Yeah.”

“Donnie, this is just to see where you’re at. No pressure here.” Dex leaned against the wall, arms folded.

Donnie nodded and put on the ear defenders and settled into position. He could see the paper target. He’d shot it a thousand times before. Center mass, center forehead. A routine shot. One, up until now he thought he could do with his eyes closed. Not so cocky now.

Taking a breath, he calmed and focused on the body outline. There were numbers on it. He knew that, although he couldn’t quite read them. He didn’t need to. He knew where the heart was and the head. That’s all that mattered.

“On your time.” Dex put on his own defenders.

Donnie pulled the trigger, unloading the full seventeen rounds without pausing. Lowering the gun, he checked the chamber and applied the safety.

“Clear.” He removed his defenders, and Dex hit the button to bring the target forward.

He stared at the bullet holes. The man was undoubtedly dead, but the shots weren't clean.

“Not bad, Donnie.” Dex said.

“I can do better. Let’s do it again.”

They did it again and again. Each time his aim got more on point, he had Dex increase the distance.

As the latest target came close, Donnie glanced at his team leader.

“It doesn't get much better than that,” Dex said.

Donnie stared at the paper target. The shots were all dead center. This was the level he cleared before.

“You nailed it, Donnie.”

“With a handgun maybe. A rifle is a whole other story.”

“You want to try?”