Page 117 of Deadly Betrayal
“Good. Khalid is a powerful political ally.Tariq will not want him dead,” Kaden said. He’d asked Jake to seeif Gwen could look into Tariq and Khalid’s dealings. He’d bet therewas much more going on than a simple alliance between two families.Because of his job, Khalid had much pull with respect to thecountry’s natural resources. Kaden just wasn’t sure yet exactly howany of it benefited Tariq.
Azita touched his arm. “When Khan Tariqdiscovers Laila is missing, he will hold Agha Khalidresponsible.”
“Because he is your guardian?”
Her eyes lowered and she worried her lowerlip before answering. “Because he is my fiancé.”
Kaden tried to school his expression, butknew he’d failed miserably when the other men looked away. Christ,he fucking hated the thought of Khalid being anything to her. Azitathreaded her fingers through his. Her whispered words cut deeperthan a KABAR. “None of this is Khalid’s fault. He’s as much of avictim as we are.”
Hell no, he wasn’t. Kaden couldn’t prove it,yet, but he knew it in his gut. Somehow that bastard found outabout the gun trade and had decided that ambushing it was a quickway to get rich. He might have even orchestrated the whole damnthing, using Azita as an unknowing mule to ferry informationbetween him and his mysterious cohort, the woman who’d pretended tobe a patient. It wouldn’t surprise him in the least to find outthat Khalid was involved in the ongoing trades as well. What hestill didn’t know was why. What was the man doing with the money?He ran a hand through his hair. “Azita.”
She raised her chin. Her blue eyes gleamedwith unshed tears. “We cannot leave him behind. For better orworse, he is family.”
Kaden knew when he was beat. Nodding, hestepped away to tell the men. “We need to wait until Khalid isfound.”
Hoffman checked his watch, then the sky,where the sun was beginning to rise. “Five minutes. That’s allwe’ve got, Sergeant. Then, I’m recalling my men, and we’re pullingout.” His eyes flicked to Azita and back. “It’s the most I cando.”
Kaden gave a small bob of his head andcrossed his arms. “So what’s the plan? We’ve got two women hidingbehind those rocks.” He pointed to the spot twenty yards away. “Dothey come here or do we go there?”
Palming a compass, Hoffman indicated an areaslightly west of their current location. “There’s a clearing a halfmile that way. We get these folks there, a Chinook will pick usup.”
Kaden grinned. So that was the surprise.“Damn, man. Didn’t know you loved me so much.”
Hoffman chuckled and nudged Jake’s shoulder.“Not me. This guy though, he’s got serious connections.”
Jake’s face remained blank, except for thetwin spots of heightened color on his cheekbones. Kaden raised hisbrows at his friend and business partner. Jake muttered, “Tell youlater,” and turned his head away.
His odd reaction had Kaden’s brain goingfull-throttle, spinning a multitude of possible scenarios. He’dsave the suppositions for later. Right now, they had to get theirpeople to the other side of the fence. “Jake, take Afrooz and gofirst.” He hefted his AK-47. “We’ll cover you.” Jake hesitated andKaden frowned. Jake always jumped to follow his orders.“Problem?”
“Uh… no,” Jake said, haltingly, his eyesdarting to Hoffman.
Fuck. Kaden had automatically fallen into therole of leader, of rescuer, when in reality, he was the one beingrescued. He rubbed the back of his neck, the apology grating at histhroat. “Sorry, Hoffman. Old habits die hard. It’s your call.”
Pressing his lips together—was the prickhiding a grin?—Hoffman nodded to Jake. “Kaden, you go second withyour doctor.”
Kaden stayed with Azita in the shelter of anearby building while Jake and Afrooz approached the fence, keepingas low as possible. The soldiers fanned out around them to watchfor snipers and to provide cover fire if needed. Kaden hoped likehell it wouldn’t be. The last thing he wanted to do was run acrossa field with Azita in a hail of bullets. The longer they kept theirescape route secret, the greater their chances of survival.
Azita’s body touched his as she moved closer,sliding under his arm. Surprised by her initiative, he remainedstill, letting her do as she pleased. When her arm snaked aroundhis waist, he gave up all pretense and held her tight. Her slightframe trembled against him. Together, they watched Jake belly-crawlunder the fence. His movements were sure, practiced, even with theburden of his rifle.
On the other side, Jake waited for Afrooz toget on his belly, then he clasped the man’s wrists and pulled himthrough. Afrooz had barely clambered to his feet before Jake hadhim hobbling toward the rocks. When they were within a few yards,Jack hauled the man against his side and ran. Seconds later, theydisappeared behind the rocks where, hopefully, Laila and her motherwere still hiding.
It was showtime.
Kaden caught Azita’s face in his hands andkissed her tenderly. “Ready?”
She took a deep breath. “Ready.”
Hand in hand, they bent low and raced to thefence. Kaden went first. He twisted and turned to get his shouldersthrough, then pushed with his feet, knees, and elbows under thefence and out the other side. Azita was immediately behind him.When she stretched her hands out, he grabbed them and pulled herthrough as Jake had done with Afrooz. She jumped up and they wereoff. Christ, she was amazing. No tears, no flailing about. Shecharged toward the outcropping. He’d never been more proud ofanyone in his life.
When they reached the rocks, the women huggedand whispered to each other. Kaden joined Jake, rifle perched atopthe rocks. “I really appreciate what you’re doing here, Jake.”
“That include almost killing the doc?” Jakeasked. Kaden sucked in a breath. So, his friend did remember.Although Jake’s words were light, their undertone was filled withself-loathing and regret.
“Hey. That was the PTSD, not you. Azitaunderstands, so don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“You ever do anything like that?” Jakeasked.
“Yep. Just a few nights ago. Remember? Wetalked about it.”
