by Bill Ward
He had survived for many years with barely a special thought for any woman and never far from complete abstinence but recently his sexuality had definitely been reawakened. The result was he now couldn’t understand his own emotions.
Since he’d been back, he was again feeling close to Afina but was it just a continuation of his growing physical desires? He knew the answer wasn’t to go to bed with Afina. While it might be fun he had to treat her feelings with the greatest respect. He couldn’t use her as a temporary means to satisfy his sexual desires and then move on when someone better came along. Not that he was even sure there would ever be anyone better. If he slept with her, he was quite sure she would take it as a sign they were in a relationship and he wasn’t ready for a relationship.
Afina looked sad. “Have I done something wrong? I know you like me so why don’t you want to make love to me?”
For a second, Powell was very tempted to change his mind. “I do like you, Afina but it’s complicated. Just give me some time. Once all the problems with Gheorghe are out of the way, we can discuss this again.” He leaned forward and kissed her on each cheek. “Good night.”
CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE
Powell and Jenkins arrived at the Holiday Inn Hotel on the seafront, walked past reception as instructed and went directly to the lifts. They took the lift on the left and entered the code so the lift would take them to the eighth floor private apartments.
As they stepped out the lift, they noticed two men standing guard outside one of the apartments immediately became alert.
“We are here to see Gheorghe,” Powell announced.
“Against the wall,” one of the guards ordered.
Both men did as instructed and they were searched thoroughly for weapons. Then the guard knocked on the door and in the same movement opened it.
“You can go in,” the guard said.
Powell entered, followed by Jenkins. The door opened onto a living room with further rooms leading off to either side. Two men quickly arose from their chairs and stared intently at the intruders.
“I’m Powell. Gheorghe is expecting us.”
“He is coming,” one of the men replied.
A minute later a man who fitted the description Afina had given of Gheorghe entered the room accompanied by a heavy set man on each shoulder.
“I am Gheorghe. Which of you is Powell?”
“I’m Powell.”
“I assume you are also the man calling himself Danny?”
“Yes I am.”
“So you are the man who killed my friends Dimitry and Victor, and put my son in jail.”
Powell swallowed as his mouth was feeling a little dry. “They were responsible for the death of my daughter.”
“So you decided it was okay to take revenge against my friends and family. You will learn that was not a wise decision but you asked for this meeting. What do you want?”
“I wanted to ask you to leave me and my bar alone. I also want you to promise no harm will come to Afina.”
Gheorghe stared hard at Powell then burst into laughter. “You are a funny man. You come here with demands. I am still considering whether to let you leave here alive.”
Jenkins stood straighter and cast his eyes around the room.
“You will rot in an English jail if we don’t leave here within ten minutes, alive and well,” Powell promised. “My friend Brian is very senior in the police and is waiting downstairs with a large number of colleagues, ready to arrest you all if we are harmed.” Although it was a bluff, it seemed a logical explanation of the sensible precautions someone in his position would take.
“Bogdan tells me you are a very dangerous man. He warned me to be wary of you. And anyone who can do what you did to Dimitry and the others is undoubtedly dangerous but you are only human. You have a bar and friends like Afina, which makes you vulnerable. Why should I leave you alone?”
“It will save you a great deal of trouble. I have lost a daughter and your son is in jail. We are similarly suffering. You should return to your country or you will end up joining your son in prison.”
“You know my business. I cannot maintain the respect of the people who work for me by doing nothing and running back home. You have to pay for what you have done.”
Powell thought for a second about trying to end the trouble here and now but they were outnumbered five to two and there were probably more men, who would be armed, in the other rooms.
Powell’s phone rang to break the tension in the room. He took it from his pocket and listened for a second. “No, it’s okay. Stay down there. We will be down in a minute.” He returned the phone to his pocket. The imaginary policeman downstairs was Afina.
“Time to be going,” Powell announced. “Think about what I said.”
“I have already and nothing has changed. I will kill you and give the bitch Afina to my men for sport. Now get out of here.”
CHAPTER FIFTY SIX
Mara had confirmed she passed the details of Powell’s celebration party to Gheorghe. She had an invite and was planning to attend. She had also informed Gheorghe that Afina would be attending.
Powell couldn’t be certain Gheorghe would take the bait he’d dangled but he thought there was a significant chance the opportunity to spoil Powell’s fun would be too difficult to resist.
The preparations were made and the bar was closed for the private party. It would cost Powell a significant sum in lost business but he could not risk having his regular customers in the bar when he expected trouble.
The guests started arriving at seven and were met inside the entrance to the bar by two doormen, one of whom was Jenkins, who checked they weren’t members of the public straying into the wrong place. Powell hadn’t wanted them to be isolated outside like normal doormen as they would be too exposed to attack from Gheorghe.
There were about thirty people in total in the bar. Food was laid out down one side of the room and free drinks were being served at the bar. Guests were standing around chatting. Afina was working behind the bar, serving drinks. As Powell surveyed the scene, he believed he had done everything possible for a good evening.
Powell observed Mara arrive. She went straight to the bar and ordered a glass of wine. He wandered over towards her, saying hello to a couple of people on the way.
“Hi Mara, it’s good to see you. How are you?” Powell inquired.
“I’m good. Almost fully healed although I do have a souvenir scar. I’m thinking of getting it covered with a tattoo.”
“Is everything organised?”
“Exactly as you wanted.”
“Is what organised?” Afina asked, having overhead their conversation.
“Mara has invited some extra guests. What time are they expected?”
“At nine I am going to let them in through the fire escape at the back.”
Powell was grateful to Mara and her acting skills. She had convinced Gheorghe that she was on his side. Firstly, she had told him about the party and the fact it would be an opportunity to strike at Powell and Afina, at the same time.
Then Mara had explained she could get an invite and would help him get inside. The rear exit was by the toilets and she only had to agree a time when she would pretend to go to the toilets and instead would open the fire door.
Powell glanced at his watch. “One hour to go.”
“What are you going to do when they get here?” Afina asked. “Should we tell your friends?”
“I’ll wander around and warn everyone what to expect… Thanks for the help Mara.”
Powell was keen to ensure Mara didn’t look complicit in what was about to unfold. She had a mother back home and he didn’t want her or anyone else being threatened by Gheorghe or his associates.
“Thank you, Powell. I’ve started to look for my own place by the way, and I’m going to do as you suggested.”
“You’re getting your own place?” Afina queried, surprised.
“I can’t stay with Emma and Becky for ever and
I need to start earning some money.”
“I’m going to start circulating with the news,” Powell said, wanting to leave Mara alone with Afina.
“What did Powell suggest?” Afina asked.
“He suggested, once my uncle was dealt with, I should get a nice flat and put my profile on a couple of adult sites.”
“I don’t understand? If your uncle is no longer a problem then why would you…” Afina stopped mid-sentence as she realised Mara’s intention. “You are going to go back to work?”
“Yes, but working for myself. I am going to be a high class escort. It’s what I want to do, Afina. Please don’t give me your disapproving look.”
“What disapproving look?”
“The one you always give at times like this.” Mara gave an impersonation of Afina’s disapproving face but in truth it was more comical than disapproving.
“I don’t look like that!”
“Not quite like that maybe but you do scowl.”
“Well Powell shouldn’t be suggesting you continue whoring yourself.”
“He asked me what I was going to do and I told him. He said that if I was intent on selling my body, I should do it with style, from a nice apartment and for good money.”
“You make him sound like your pimp!”
“Afina, that isn’t fair. Powell was simply trying to help and make sure I didn’t end up working for someone else like my uncle. I’ve looked at the site he suggested and I can be an escort and do other things like cam shows. I will make good money.”
“I’m sorry, we’re just different.”
“We are but that doesn’t mean we can’t still be friends. I’ve told Emma and Becky what I do, by the way.”
“What did they say?”
“They were a bit shocked.”
“To most people, it will be shocking.”
“They weren’t shocked by my selling my body, just that it’s with men and not women.”
“So they are still friends.”
“Yes, but they did say they hoped I wasn’t going to start charging them!”
Afina smiled and refilled their wine glasses.
“Are you still my friend?” Mara asked.
“I will always be your friend,” Afina promised. “And just in case I ever want to have sex with you, I wish you to know I also won’t expect to pay.”
CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN
Baz went to the apartment where not so long ago he had met with Lara and enjoyed her incredible body. Only a blind man would be immune to her beauty. It was her weapon, which she had used to entrap him but never had anyone been so happy to be caught in her web of deceit and lies.
He arrived early, as it would be extremely rude not to be there when his guest arrived. He made some tea and waited, knowing it could be a difficult meeting.
Baz had a text when his guest was one minute away, to warn him to have the door open so there would be no delay to him getting off the street and entering the apartment. Spending time in the open was not something this man did if it could possibly be avoided.
“May Allah`s peace, mercy and blessing be upon you,” Baz greeted his guest, shaking the man’s hand and then kissing him on each cheek.
“And upon you peace.”
Baz did not know the true name of his guest but knew him by his code name of Phoenix. An appropriate name for someone determined to see a new order in the Middle East, born of the ashes of war. He was older than Baz, probably in his late fifties, although his weathered skin made it difficult to be sure of his age.
Baz had heard that he had fought in more than his share of wars and his courage could not be questioned. But he was not just a fighter, he had a cunning mind and his specialty in his younger days, had been in planning devastating ambushes, which never left anyone alive. He was always merciless with his enemies. Now he was committed to planning the greatest attack on the West since 9/11.
Baz made his guest tea and they sat in the lounge. Baz had to shake his mind free of the images of Lara standing naked before him in the same room.
“I have to congratulate you,” Phoenix said. “When you first approached me with your plan, I was not sure you would succeed but I believe your time spent living in England, has given you great insight into how our enemies think and behave, in a way that the rest of us can only pretend to understand.”
“Thank you. Unfortunately, this knowledge did not extend to foreseeing the Englishman named Powell would return for a second time and take my children from under my nose.”
“That is indeed unfortunate.”
“I would like to try and bring back Karim. He had been showing great promise in his studies.”
“I am not sure that is wise. We can achieve so much now you have been recruited by this devil that is called Lara.”
“That is true but to have a boy born in England grow to manhood as a believer, able to go places and do things we can never achieve… The potential is enormous.”
“I agree but it is important we do not draw attention to you. Lara would also not want this. She will dissuade you from any further attempt to recover your children.”
“Perhaps if I bring back just Karim, my wife will be happy to have Laila and that will be the end of it. Then when Karim is about twenty we can send him back. He can pretend he has not been happy with me and wants to live in England. It will be an excellent cover story.”
“Indeed it would but making it happen will not be easy. You risk exposing yourself and you are too valuable to put at risk, even for your son and the future he offers.”
“I believe it is a risk we must take.” Baz knew he must tread carefully. Phoenix was not a man used to having his authority challenged.
Phoenix was thoughtful. “You have served us very well and I would like to repay your service to our cause but your role in our next operation is vital. We will make the greatest ever strike against our accursed enemy and it is the information you will supply to Lara, which will make it possible.”
“I understand but we are all exposed to risk every day of our lives. I could be killed in a traffic accident. I was almost killed by our own men at the Mall!”
“I am sorry about that. With hindsight I should have warned you to stay away but Allah was obviously looking out for you. He knows the great work you have to do in his name.”
“I am sure you are right. Praise be to Allah.”
“You yet again did a great service in providing the passports for our men to enter the country. Let me think further about what you say. For sure, you must do nothing for a few months. You must spend your time feeding information to Lara so you gain her trust. This is vital so she accepts the false information we will feed her next year. The planning for the operation is already advanced. Nothing must get in the way.”
Baz realized he had to back off. Although what he said about the potential value of Karim to the cause was true, he was also speaking as a father. He wanted to see his son grow into manhood. He wanted to ensure his son was being taught correctly, which he would never be while living in England.
“I will abide by your wise decision, as always.” Baz said, respectfully. “I have learned something of potential interest. She says that they have another person inside our organization, who can verify the information I provide. It may well be a bluff but…”
“I am sure they will have one or more of our men feeding them information but only at a low level. I have absolute confidence in everyone close to me and it is only those close to me that know anything significant.”
“That is good to hear.”
“So how is your relationship with Lara developing?”
“I am providing her with the information we agreed. I believe she is happy with me. I assume in the information I am providing, we are cleansing our organization of some unwanted elements?”
“We will be happy to see the back of one or two of the names on your list but there are also some we are sacrificing to enhance your credibility. Never forget that men will die,
quite possibly in agony, for helping you to gain the trust of this woman. ”
“I understand and I will not fail you.” Baz understood his role and the information he was to provide, would be pivotal in the success of the massive operation being planned but he had no idea what the information was. He would only learn that at the appropriate time. He was excited to know that he had such an important role to play in the greatest ever strike against the west.
“I am sure you will not fail us. You have always done everything we asked of you. You were even willing to allow yourself to be trapped by the devil that is this woman called Lara. That is not something every man would be willing to suffer.”
Baz thought he detected a slight smile on the lips of Phoenix. He had seen Lara and knew she was beautiful.
“It was my duty,” Baz acknowledged. He was actually thinking it may have been his duty but it was also a memorable experience. If only all duty was so pleasant. He had spent too many years in England doing his duty.
Despite his absolute commitment to restoring the true Islam to the world, he recognized his personal failings. One of his biggest weaknesses was his attraction to beautiful women. Even if they were non-believers they still offered the possibility of memorable, momentary pleasure. He looked forward to his seventy two virgins in heaven and he would not be short of ideas or the experience of how to enjoy them.
He hoped one day in the future to experience further the pleasures of Lara’s flesh. Maybe he would pretend to waver in his commitment and she would be prepared to offer him her body again. He smiled at the thought. What fools these westerners were and so predictable. They believe themselves to be superior but everything about them is superficial.
It had been relatively easy to set in motion the events leading to his falling into what she believed was her trap but it was he who had truly set the trap. He had lured her in with his flirting at the embassy parties and made it obvious he found her attractive.
