Page 82 of Deadly Betrayal
Jerking his hand off her elbow, he turnedaway.Khodaya. He couldn’t even bear to see her now. Butwhat had she expected? His forgiveness on bended knee? She waslittle better than a murderess. “I am very sorry, Kaden. I neverintended for anyone to get hurt.” With a rough hand, she swiped thewetness from her cheeks. “I know these words must seem empty, butthey are the truth.”
The tendons in Kaden’s neck tightened,becoming prominent. She couldn’t see his hands, but she imaginedthey were clenched into fists. His entire body appeared tense,poised to engage her in battle. She should be frightened, terrifiedthat he’d attack her. But she wasn’t. The only thing that scaredher was the thought of him hating her.
“Why tell me now?” he asked, still notlooking her way. His voice was rough, full of hard emotions.
How could she explain the guilt that had beeneating at her for two years? The crushing burden she’d borne. She’dalways wanted to help people, but now she was driven to it. Men haddied because of her. Because she’d forgotten that a corrupt personwas an ally only until a bigger payoff surfaced.
Spinning on his heel, he advanced on her,anger permeating his entire being. His amber eyes, gone as dark asnight, narrowed and homed in on hers. The skin of his face was paleand stretched over his cheekbones, marred only by the traces ofsoot from last night’s explosion. “Did you think to make yourselffeel better with your little confession?” His laughter was harsh,like metal on a plate. “I bet you thought I’d pat you on the headand tell you all was forgiven. Like some fucking dupe who’s happyjust to have you smile at him.”
“I did not know what would happen.” Her rapidbreathing made her voice quaver.
He sneered. “Unlike many of your countrymen,I know you aren’t stupid. You had to know that ambushing adiplomatic exchange would lead to gunfire.”
His words made her head spin. What was hetalking about? She squared her shoulders. She wasn’t the only naïveone in this argument. “It is my understanding that properdiplomatic exchanges do not occur in deserted back alleys.”
Those dark eyes flashed at her. “And properwomen don’t get involved. Christ, why didn’t you just strap a bombto your chest? You’d have killed more of us that way.”
Ooh! Why were men so frustrating? “I did notwant anyone to be killed!”
“What were you trying to do then?” He grabbedher arm and pulled her close, snarling into her face. “Because Ican’t think of a single reason a doctor would need a case ofrifles.”
“And I cannot think of any reason why asoldier such as yourself would be involved insellingriflesto a group of known enemy combatants.” She paused and met his staredead on. “Except one.”
Kaden’s mottled cheeks hardened even more ashe spoke between clamped teeth. “And what’s that?”
Her voice rose. He wanted her to spell itout? Fine. “Corruption. You, your unit, the entire ISAF. You werein on it.” She again tried to pull her arm out of his grasp, but heheld her too tightly. “Now who is the criminal?”
Kaden was so fucking pissed, he didn’t knowwhat to say. All he could do was sputter, “You thinkI’macriminal? I’ve done nothing but support you and treat you withrespect. I didn’t have to stop the other night at the guesthouse.Hell, you practically threw yourself at me. I could have taken youright then and there. Had my fill, then split when Khalid showedup. Did I do that? No.” Realizing he was shouting, he glancedaround and lowered his volume before continuing. He had a lot moreto say to this woman. “No. I went after you. Ikilledforyou. Do you realize that? Do you even care?”
Disgusted with himself, he let her go andwalked back to the edge of the rise. A headache pounded behind hiseyes, and his heart thumped against his ribs. How could he havebeen so wrong about her? He’d really thought she was someonespecial, someone he could like.
It’s more than that, Kaden. Admit it.
Fuck. He didn’t want to admit anything.Didn’t want to admit he’d been snowed by her quiet intelligence,her competence, and her defiance of social norms. Didn’t want toadmit he’d fallen half in love with her before even meeting her.That day, when he’d gone to say goodbye, he’d been prepared tomarry her, to bring her back to the States with him.
But all his dreams had died when he’d seenher wedding ring. Just as they’d died again today. Somehow, she’dlearned of the exchange and had hired some fighters to ambush them.But why? For the weapons? For the money?
“Azita, I need to know why you did it. Whatwas in it for you?”
“Nothing.” She shrugged, a small lift of oneshoulder. “I wanted the medicines for my patients.”
“Medicine?”
Before she could explain, Shahram burstthrough a small grouping of bushes. His hair was mussed, the whitesof his eyes exposed, and his mouth opened and closed like that of awaterless fish.
She ran to him. “What is it?”
He stumbled and groped her shoulder with onehand, pointing behind him with the other. “Men… guns…” His voicefaded as he gasped for air.
Kaden shoved them to the ground, then creptaround the bushes to see what was going on. A group ofrough-looking men with rifles was checking out Khalid’s SUV.Several had broken off and were carefully combing the surroundingarea. They’d be on to Kaden and his companions in minutes. “Shit.Go, go, go.” He pressed a finger to his lips to keep them fromarguing or questioning his orders, then led them down the slope tothe creek. The water would wash away any tracks, but they couldn’tfollow the stream too long. The men would find the rise soonenough.
After a couple minutes, he climbed out of thewater on the opposite bank and rushed Azita and Shahram into thetrees that lined the stream. The bed of fallen leaves muffled theirfootsteps. Keeping a good pace, they went deeper into thevegetation. As they put distance between themselves and the men,Kaden took inventory. His duffel with his rifles, grenades, andidentification was in the SUV. As was Azita’s medical bag.
All they had was the knife in his pocket andthe pistol in the holster at his ankle. He doubted Shahram had anyweapons on him, but maybe he had a few afghanis to supplement thehandful Kaden had. The bigger issue, if they succeeded in escapingthe men, would soon be the lack of food and drinking water.
Remembering the phone in his pocket, he tookit out. Damn. No signal. Not that he should be surprised the wayhis day was going.
Someone whimpered.
