Read Online Tess Awakening by Andres Mann - Free Book Online Page B

bodies.
    Amir’s second in command moved as if to
intervene, but the General grabbed his arm. “Leave them alone. Let
them have their revenge for their comrades murdered by these pigs”
A minute later, the avengers stopped the mutilation, their faces,
hands and uniforms covered in blood.
    Amir now spoke to the troops.
    “Soldiers of Iraq! The enemy is fast
approaching. Our courage is fierce, but our weapons are no match
for theirs. If we fight them now, we will almost certainly die.” He
paused for effect.
    He recalled something that Tess had said to
him and decided to use the phrase.
    “There is no honor in fighting a lost battle.
You may fight, if you wish, but I now authorize you to shed your
weapons and uniforms and to go back home to your families. If you
meet Americans, do not resist. Stay alive to safeguard your
families and live to become a part of the new Iraq! The last task
you must perform is to position your tanks and vehicles in battle
formation. Don’t stay with the equipment, because its destruction
by the enemy is assured.” As soon as you are done, your officers
will dismiss you. Good luck and Allah preserve you!” Amir saluted
the troops, turned around, and walked toward the palace.
    As he walked, he motioned to Kemal to follow
him.
    “I will leave in one hour. I have made
arrangements to leave the country until things settle down. I want
you and a dozen men to stay here to protect my house. When the
Americans arrive, don’t fight. Tell them you are servants awaiting
the master’s return. You have seen nothing and know nothing.
Explain that you have weapons only to ward off looters. Do you
understand?”
    “Yes, General!” Kemal’s knees were
shaking.
    “Don’t be afraid. The Americans will ask you
a lot of questions. Once they realize you are not a threat, they
will let you go. Stay here, take care of things, and I will reward
you handsomely.”
    “General, where are you going?” Kemal
asked.
    “I will try to make it to my house in
Istanbul. I will return in a few months after the war is over.
Things will eventually return to normal. They always do. Now go and
prepare your men.”
    Amir went inside to pack a few things,
destroy some documents, and bring out a suitcase full of American
dollars. He changed into civilian clothes, went to the carport and
slipped behind the wheel of his Mercedes SUV. On the way out, he
picked up two of his bodyguards and proceeded toward Turkey. The
Americans would not be in this part of the country for days, and he
had his escape route carefully planned. With enough bribes, you can
buy just about anything. I will be back! Eventually, Allah willing,
I will deal with the American Major again.

 
    Chapter 10
The Quest
    Jake woke up groping the bed, hoping for his
hand to land on Tess’s breast. No luck. He managed to open his eyes
and heard the shower running. ‘I can’t believe she is up and
about,’ he thought. His body was a mass of aches and bruises; it
felt sore and battered, and still tired beyond exhaustion. He just
wanted to go back to sleep, with Tess in his arms.
    Tess came into the room, still toweling off,
carelessly if lusciously naked.
    “Good morning sleepy head,” she teased him
while rummaging through her bag for underwear.
    “Where are you going?” Jake responded, quite
annoyed at what he saw. The last thing he wanted was to see Tess
dressed. “You don’t have to get up. We can send for room
service.”
    “I’ll grab something to eat on the way
back.”
    Jake repeated his question: “Where are we
going?”
    “I am going back to the base. I called ahead
to have my men ready to go back to that Iraqi General’s
compound.”
    “Are you nuts? We went through hell to get us
out of there, and now you want to go back?”
    “Yes I do,” Tess responded. I want to go back
to find out where in the world the General has stashed Kejal’s
little girl, and then I am going to get her away from him.” She
finished putting on her