Page 126 of Deadly Betrayal
“I’m good,” he said, evading her question.“How are you two holding up?”
“Other than some dehydration, Laila and I arefine.”
When he stood next to her bed, shemock-frowned at him. “Answer my question, please. Yesterday, youwere unconscious with a raging fever. You need your ownantibiotics, and you need your ribs x-rayed.”
Kaden rubbed his knuckles over her cheek, agrin blooming across his features. “Yes, Doctor Azita.”
Azita’s breath hitched. He really was divine.Everything inside her begged to touch him. To keep him. But shewouldn’t. Couldn’t. He’d already risked so much for her. It wouldbe wrong for her to ask him to take her and Laila back home withhim. Even if it had been Freba’s dying wish.
Her heart heavy, Azita rested against thepillows at her back and shut her eyes. Kaden’s fingers wrappedaround her own. “What should we do with…?”
She opened her eyes to find him looking atFreba’s body. “You go see a doctor. I’ll take care of it. Where isAgha Khalid?” Perhaps he’d already located a graveyard for theburial.
“One of the soldiers took him to the civilianairport.”
“He is gone?” She couldn’t believe Khalidwould shirk his responsibilities. Tears burned at the back of hereyes as she contemplated the task before her. She was a woman, inan unfamiliar city, with not a single afghani to her name. Howcould she possibly arrange a funeral by sundown?
Kaden cupped her neck. “Azita, it’s okay.I’ll help you. Just tell me what you need.”
His shape wavered in her water-logged vision.“It is too much to ask.” She hated the quaver in her voice, theweakness that made her want to beg him.
“You aren’t asking, honey. I’m offering. Letme help you. Let me be a part of this.” He pulled up a chair andsat with a wince that rang Azita’s doctor bell. “I’m okay,” hesaid, reading her mind.
He looked past her at Laila, whose lids hadfinally closed. Even in sleep, her distress was noticeable. Kadenglanced around, then took Azita’s hand. “I remember when I lost mymother.”
“It is very difficult. I was about Laila’sage when I lost mine. But at least I had…” She broke off as a sobrose in her chest. Covering her eyes with both palms, she squeezedher lids tightly to stop the tears that were building up. It wascustomary to lament the dead, and oh how she wanted to keen rightnow. The release would be cathartic, if she could manage it. ButAzita had repressed her emotions for far too long to let them loosenow. People always counted on her to be strong. To take care ofthings. And that’s what she would do.
Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Do you havesiblings?”
Kaden’s lips thinned. “Other than my littlebrother, no. My father never remarried.”
His hand, clenched in a fist, lay on themattress beside her leg. She covered it with her own. They had allsuffered so much. Too much. Perhaps helping her would allow Kadento exorcise some of his own ghosts. “I shall accept your assistancetoday.” She waited for him to meet her gaze. “But only if you let adoctor examine you first.”
“You drive a hard bargain, honey,” he saidwith a smile. The curve of his lips drew her gaze, made her wonder,made her dream. She reminded herself that now was not the time. Andperhaps, the time would never come. “While you prepare Freba, Jakeand I will make all the necessary arrangements. Just concentrate onyou and Laila, okay?”
She gripped his hand tighter. “You are toogood to me.” But how was she going to pay for all this?
Kaden tipped her chin up. “What is it,honey?”
Swallowing, she toyed with the edge of theblanket covering her legs, then blurted, “I do not have anymoney.”
He arched a brow and sat back in his chair.“I wouldn’t have let you pay anyway.”
“Such a gentleman.” Her tone was teasing, tohide her relief, but she meant it most sincerely.
“I try.” He pushed to his feet and gave her aquick kiss. “I’ll be back in an hour to let you know whatarrangements have been made.”
“Kaden,” she said, halting him. When heglanced back, she added, “Thank you.”
“Anything for you.” He nodded, then steppedthrough the door and disappeared down the hall.
When the nurse returned with their meal,Laila’s eyes flew open. “Maman!”
Azita sprinted out of the bed and hugged thefrightened girl to her chest. “It’s me, Azita. You’re okay. We’resafe here.”
“And Maman?”
Azita remained silent, gently rockingher.
