Page 138 of Deadly Betrayal
“Right away, Khan Tariq,” he said, alreadydialing.
“Do not worry, brother. We will find her,”Ishaq said.
Tariq crushed the door handle between hisfingers. Yes, tonight he was avenging the death of his son and hewas claiming his bride. Nothing was going to stop him. Especiallynot the big American and his whore.
Azita pulled the blanket up to Laila’s chinand kissed her lightly on the forehead. Only eleven years old, anorphan, and already she was the focus of far more strife than anychild should have to suffer. Azita’s heart bled for the girl. AghaKhalid was a good man in many respects, but already he’d provedthat he did not love Laila like his own daughter. He’d tried to useher as a bargaining chip once, and, in fact, he seemed quite proudof it. He would do so again.
As she stroked the slumbering girl’s curlyblack hair, Azita vowed to do whatever it took to keep Laila frombeing shunted off to another husband like Khan Tariq. Tiptoeing outof the bedroom, she quietly shut the door behind her and enteredthe sitting room. The entire suite was upscale, elegant, and veryclean. Each bedroom had its own bathroom with a water heater. Shehadn’t seen such luxury since visiting a well-off friend inTehran.
The men, Kaden, Jake, and Khalid, werewatching a soccer match on television. Judging by their stonyexpressions and stiff postures, as well as the thick tension in theair, they had not moved beyond their grudging temporary truce.
Immediately upon seeing her, Kaden stood andoffered her his seat, a single overstuffed armchair. “You’ll bemore comfortable here,” he said as he went to sit on the couch. Itwas the only spot left—and it was beside Khalid. She had to hideher smile.
Khalid’s brows knotted as he shot Kaden ahateful glare. She imagined this was hard on him. As herbrother-in-law, then guardian, it had always been he who had placedhimself between her and other men. He didn’t appreciate having thetables turned.
With her head tilted slightly downward, shesmiled shyly at Kaden. “Thank you,shawharam.” Just sayingthe words, my husband, sent a thrill through her entire body.Khalid flinched as though she’d struck him, which only added to herexcitement. Perhaps it was mean of her. Perhaps she should feelguilty. He had taken good care of her after Faroukh’s death. He’dbeen a fair-minded and generous provider. Up until a month ago,she’d have been proud to marry him, proud to call him husband. Butafter what he’d done to Laila, after what he’d tried to do to herand Kaden, she found there was very little forgiveness in herheart. Did that make her a bad woman? If so, she didn’t care.
Kaden spread himself on the couch, a lionbasking in the sun. “I ordered us some dinner.” He indicated thelarge tray on the dining table. “I hope you find something youlike.”
She was about to demur, because surely thetension in the room would give them all indigestion, when herstomach growled loudly. Kaden chuckled, and Azita’s face burned.“Come on. Don’t be shy,” he teased.
“Maybe just a littleash,” she said,going to the table and lifting the silver cover off the tray. Hereyes bugged at the array of dishes, and she couldn’t resistshooting Kaden a look over her shoulder.
He grinned. “Have whatever you want. We’llorder Laila something when she’s feeling up to it.”
A lump of emotion filled her throat. Eventhough Kaden had met Laila only today, she was already always onhis mind. He was more of a father to the girl than Khalid had everbeen. Even to Faroukh, Laila had only been an afterthought, someoneto kiss on the forehead when she came to say goodnight.
“You are very kind.” Looking at Agha Khalid,she asked, “What may I serve you?” It was tradition for the oldestperson to be served first.
Kaden’s lips tightened as though he werestruggling not to object. She served Khalid, then Jake, then Kaden,and finally, herself. She could tell by the way Kaden was eyeingher that there’d be words about this later. Warmth spread in herbelly, mixed with a generous amount of anxiety. She wasn’t afraidof offending or disappointing him. It seemed her husband was farmore a feminist than she.
As she surveyed the well-appointed suite, hergaze landed on the door to her bedroom. No, not herbedroom—theirbedroom. Without thinking, she took a sip ofhot tea and winced as it seared a path down her throat.
Khodaya!How was she to please a manof Kaden’s experience? She wasn’t a virgin, but she might as wellhave been. The release Kaden had given her the previous night inKhan Tariq’s camp had been her first. And it had beenextraordinary. She had very little knowledge of what men and womendid in the bedroom beyond the basic mechanics of copulation andconception. Her ears heated under her headscarf. Did they know whatshe was thinking? Would Kaden see it on her face? She looked at himcovertly as she ate a spoonful ofash. The thick soup almoststuck in her throat when Kaden caught her stare and winked. Thiswould be a good time for the earth to open up and swallow herwhole.
Khalid scoffed, sounding disgusted. His plateclattered as he set it heavily on the low table in front of thecouch. “I am going for a walk.” Without another word or glance, heleft the room.
If he thought she’d be ashamed, Khalid waswrong. Her husband’s gesture had been one of love and affection.She hoped he’d continue making them long after the newness was gonefrom their relationship.
Azita sighed. This had been a long, tryingday. Why wasn’t she more upset? Her best medical diagnosis wasfatigue and shock. It would hit her soon, and when it did, shewouldn’t have to be strong and repress it. Kaden was there, and hewas strong enough for both of them.
Jake grinned. “I thought he’d neverleave.”
“He’ll be back,” Kaden said, then tookanother bite of chicken. “And I’m sure he’ll keep an eye on theplace to make sure we don’t abscond with Laila.”
“Speaking of whom”—Azita set her empty bowlon the table—“what are we going to do?” Her arms wrapped around herwaist. “I cannot lose her too.”
Kaden was instantly on his knees beside herchair. “You won’t.Wewon’t. I promised Laila we’d be afamily, and I meant it.”
Looking into his sincere gaze, she believedhim. “But how? Agha Khalid is her guardian.”
Kaden’s gaze slid to Jake’s.
Jake swallowed a mouthful of kebab, thenstraightened. “Uh… one sec.” He went to the door and poked his headinto the hallway where she heard him murmuring to someone. Strange.Who could be out in the hall at this time?
Moments later, he came back. “McAlister sentDixon, one of his best men, to fill in for me. He’s out in thehall.”
Azita remembered Sergeant McAlister fromlunch at Camp Kunduz. He was the head of Nic’s military escort.
