Merciless Charity: A Charity Styles Novel (Caribbean Thriller Series Book 1) Read Free

asked. The group had only been together for a short time, and it seemed premature.
    “Yes, I understand it seems a short period. However, our target is an easy one, an event that only happens once every year. You are second in command and it is time you know what that target is.”
    “Allah willing, I will martyr myself in glory.”
    Hussein reached behind him and picked up a small hookah. Awad was uncomfortable with the use of opium, particularly by someone in power, but he dared not say anything.
    “Do you know the city of San Antonio, in Texas?”
    “I know of it,” Awad replied. “I have never been there.” This seemed to trouble Hussein, so Awad continued, “America is a very large country with many thousands of cities. Even Americans who travel often will never see them all.”
    “There is a place in this city. A place called River Walk. At this place every year, they celebrate their military’s conquest over Allah’s people and drink alcohol.”
    “I have heard of this,” Awad said. “It is televised live.”
    Hussein’s mouth curled into a sadistic smile. “That is the main reason I chose it.”
    Hussein lit the hookah and inhaled deeply. “There are many shops and restaurants along this River Walk, and tour boats that carry dozens of people along its length. We will separate into three groups on three of these boats. When the time is right, we will kill the infidels on the boats and as many as we can on this River Walk. You will lead the first boat, I will lead the second and Majdi will lead the third.”
    “It is many kilometers to this city,” Awad said, “with many dangers along the way, just to get to the American border.”
    Hussein nodded. “This is another reason why we will go in three groups. Majdi has been living in America for several years and speaks both English and Spanish. I learned English, as well as Spanish, while I was being held at the American prison, and you are fluent in both languages as well. Once across the border, we will rent separate vehicles in McAllen for the journey to San Antonio.”
    Awad thought for a moment. Hussein had been a captive of the Americans for some time, held at their prison in Cuba. The Spanish he had learned there was very different from that of the Mexican peasants here. But Hussein had a reputation for being quick to fly off the handle, so Awad was hesitant to point this out. Perhaps anyone he came into contact with would think him a visitor from another Central or South American country.
    “How do we get from here to the border?”
    “A drug cartel, one of the most powerful in Mexico, will provide a truck to transport all of us to Reynosa, across the border from McAllen, in two weeks’ time. In Reynosa, we will be provided with paperwork that will allow us to cross the border without issue, mixed in with a large group of workers. Go now. Get rested. We have much preparation over the next two weeks.”
    Without another word, Awad rose and left the leader’s tent. Outside, he stood silently in the darkness until his eyesight adjusted and then made his way to his own tent.

S haking her head groggily, Charity looked around the room. Chyrel was still slumped back in her chair, but something was different. Her hair. It hadn’t been falling down the back of the chair a moment ago.
    Gingerly, her head throbbing, Charity moved her long legs, spreading her feet further apart for better balance. She slowly stood up as Chyrel moaned and sat forward in her chair. Charity went quickly to her side. “Are you alright?”
    “I think so,” Chyrel replied. “I must have dozed off.”
    “Maybe,” Charity said, looking at her watch. “Both of us have been asleep for almost twenty minutes. We should go outside and check on the others.” Some kind of knockout gas , Charity thought, but not wanting to alarm the woman, she kept it to herself.
    Outside, Charity looked toward the clearing. A light was on in the caretaker’s house, and the director was still