In the second that followed, Connor instinctively applied the A-C-E procedure from his training.
Assess the threat: gang member, high probability of carrying a knife or gun, 100 percent certainty of an attack.
Counter the danger: priority one—provide body cover for the Principal, then . . .
Escape the kill zone: evacuation options— (A) fight way through the threat but risk injury; (B) turn around and retreat but danger of exposing back to knife or gun attack; (C) take side street to next busy road and find safety in numbers.
Grabbing Alicia by the shoulder, Connor took option C and pulled her toward the side street.
“RUN!” he shouted, keeping himself between her and the gangster.
Alicia was too stunned to do anything but obey. Yet no sooner had they begun to flee than Gold Tooth jumped out from a nearby alley and cut off their escape route.
“Where you going so fast!” he said, grinning to reveal his gleaming tooth.
Connor spun to take Alicia back the way they’d come. But Crew Cut was bearing down on them from behind.
“Yo, girl, give us the bag,” Gold Tooth demanded.
Connor looked around. There were no other people in sight to call for help, the two gang members having picked their mugging spot carefully. Panicking, Alicia became frozen to the spot, and Connor recognized the symptoms of “brain fade.” He, on the other hand, was already pumped with adrenaline and able to think straight.
“Do as he says,” urged Connor, hoping that would put an end to their predicament. It was far better to lose a fancy bag than an invaluable life.
Alicia moved as if to comply, but as she unshouldered the bag, her hand dived in. Gold Tooth grabbed the Prada bag and wrenched it from her grip.
“No tricks, girl,” he spat. “You ain’t using no Mace spray on me. That’ll cost you your necklace.”
“No,” Alicia protested, her hand going protectively to the silver chain. “It was my grandmother’s.”
“Well, it’s mine now.”
Gold Tooth snatched for his prize. Connor instinctively stepped in to protect Alicia. But Gold Tooth got his fingers around the chain. Alicia jumped back, her wig and glasses dislodging as she fought to free herself. Her long dark locks tumbled out, and Gold Tooth, taken by surprise, let go.
“What the—?” he yelled. Then his eyes widened in recognition. “I know you—”
Seizing on the distraction, Connor made his move. The situation demanded an all-or-nothing approach, and he drove the edge of his hand into Gold Tooth’s throat. The sudden attack cut off the gangster’s air supply. Gold Tooth’s eyes bulged as he fought to breathe. He dropped Alicia’s bag, and its contents spilled across the sidewalk.
Connor immediately followed up with a hook punch to the solar plexus, then a lightning-fast uppercut to the jaw. There was a bone-jarring crunch, and the gangster’s gold tooth flew from his mouth. It was over in less than five seconds: the final punch knocked the former Gold Tooth unconscious, and he collapsed to the sidewalk in a heap.
Alicia dropped to her knees, scrabbling for the contents of her bag.
“Leave it,” said Connor, his priority her escape.
“Behind you!” cried Alicia as Crew Cut now charged in.
Connor spun to face the other gang member. In Crew Cut’s hand flashed the ominous steel glint of a switchblade. Alicia screamed as she saw the knife plunge into Connor’s side.
To be continued . . .
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Hazim sat on the edge of his bed, the Glock 17 cradled in his lap.
The handgun was light, less than two pounds fully-loaded. But the weapon weighed heavy on his conscience.
He recalled how the soldiers had fallen under the storm of bullets from the submachine gunfire at the shooting range. How the target of a woman had spun and juddered as he’d winged her with a couple of shots. How a red haze had descended over him. Then how he’d literally shredded the little girl with the teddy bear in her arms before managing to release the trigger.
At the time it had all seemed like a harmless carnival game, with no real casualties. But now the truth confronted him in all its hard simple clarity, the reality as blunt as the bullets he’d just loaded into the gun.
It wouldn’t be cardboard targets that were hit with these lethal rounds.
It would be flesh and blood.
People would die.
Children.
How could God condone such acts?
Whether an infidel or not, they were all human. Didn’t the holy text say that the slaying of one human life was the same as slaying all mankind?
Yet his uncle had argued that non-believers were not the same. That disbelief was worse than killing and therefore the killing of non-believers justified. So infidels didn’t warrant the same holy protection as those of the Faith.
And when it came to testing his own faith, could he kill in the name of God?
Hazim knew his faith was strong. But was it strong enough for the struggle ahead?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The journey of a book from idea to completion is fraught with many dangers: from deciding the plotline, to creating believable characters, to actually writing the book, to defeating the self-doubt which plagues all authors! The dangers only increase when the book is launched in a new territory. Fortunately I had an expert team of “bodyguards” to protect me in my mission to publish the Bodyguard series in the United States. The fearless protectors who deserve my thanks are:
Brian Geffen, my editor at Philomel Books, whose enthusiasm and passion for the books is without bounds. Thank you for making the editing process so easy and enjoyable.
Michael Green, Publisher, whose unique approach to stimulating a “binge-reading” concept for the series is inspired! Thank for taking the “risk” on Bodyguard.
Laurel Robinson, my copy editor, one of the unsung heroes in process of crafting a book so it’s the very best it can be.
Back in the UK, a huge thanks goes to Tig Wallace, my ever-loyal bodyguard of a first editor, and Camilla Borthwick for her flag waving of the series.
I also wish to acknowledge my darling wife, Sarah, my super-charged Zach and my glorious Leo; my mum and dad who have protected me my entire life; Sue and Simon for their love and support; guardians Steve and Sam; and Karen, Rob and Thomas of “Rose Security Forces.”
Charlie Viney, my agent, who I believe would actually throw himself in the line of fire to protect my career!
My friends who continue to stand by me in life, including but not exclusive to Geoff and Lucy, Matt, Charlie, Nick and Zelia, Ann and Andrew (my godparents), my cousin Laura and the Dyson clan (especially my god-daughter Lulu!).
A huge thanks must go to the friends I made on my close-protection course. These people are real bodyguards and deserve true respect. This book is written in honor of them: Mandie, Simon, George, Sarah and Andy, Big Si, Baz, Andy, Jimmy, Sean, Nigel, Alex, Joe, Ronnie and of course Sam and Mark!
To my instructors on the Wilplan Close Protection Course (www.wilplantraining.co.uk) where I learnt the true art of being a bodyguard. Gary, Simon, Claire, Wendy, John, Ray and Pete—thank you for your dedicated instruction, patience and knowledge. Your wisdom is the lifeblood in this book.
And finally to you, my readers—read, enjoy and stay safe!
— Chris
Any fans can keep in touch with me via my YouTube channel ChrisBradfordAuthor or the website www.chrisbradford.co.uk
© Rune Hellestad
Chris Bradford (www.chrisbradford.co.uk) is a true believer in “practicing what you preach.” For his BODYGUARD series, Chris embarked on an intensive close protection course to become a qualified professional bodyguard. His bestselling books, including the Young Samurai ser
ies, are published in over twenty languages and have garnered more than thirty children’s book award nominations internationally. He is a dedicated supporter of teachers and librarians in their quest to improve literacy skills and provides free teachers’ guides to his books on his website. He lives in England with his wife and two sons.
Follow Chris on Twitter @youngsamurai.
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Bodyguard--Recruit (Book 1) Page 17
