Page 131 of Deadly Betrayal
“Then yes.” Her breath stuttered. “Maman saidyou would help Azita take care of me.”
Kaden smiled sadly up at Azita. He hadn’tspoken much with Freba, but it had been clear even in their limitedinteractions that she loved her daughter. That she had put Laila’ssecurity in his hands humbled him.
“Mothers are always right,” he said, standingup. “We go?”
Smiling brightly, Azita took one of hishands, while Laila took the other. “We go,” they said inunison.
Chapter 31
I’m getting married.
The joyous and highly improbable conclusionto an otherwise horrendous day had Azita’s mind whirling. Each steptook her closer to the culmination of her dreams. Beyond herdreams, in fact. Even mourning attire didn’t detract from howcontent she was, knowing the man beside her was to be her husband.Her only concern was for Laila, but the impending ceremony seemedto have given the girl a temporary respite from her sorrows.
When they reached the chapel, Nic and Jakewere already waiting for them, along with a tall slim man sheassumed was the pastor. Introductions were made. Azita had to laughwhen she saw Laila’s eyes widen in recognition of the movie star.She hid behind Azita and giggled when Nic greeted her in Dari.
Nic held a bundle under his arm. He offeredit to Azita with a gentle smile. “Every woman deserves somethingspecial on her wedding day.” He then handed a similar smallerbundle to Laila, and pointed to a door behind them. “You can changein there.”
“I do not know what to say.” Azita glancedfrom Nic to Kaden.
“Just be happy. That’s all I want.”
The kindness in Nic’s eyes warmed her. Infinding Kaden, she’d also found a friend in Nic. “Thank you. Yourkindness will not be forgotten.” Taking Laila’s hand, she enteredthe room, which turned out to be an office of some sort. She lockedthe door and set the bundle on the desk.
“What do you think is in them?” Laila asked,turning her bundle over and over, her voice a curious mix ofexcitement and concern. In Afghanistan, bundles were alwayssuspect. Azita’s heart felt heavy at the thought of what life herehad done to the girl.
Azita smiled to set Laila at ease. “Let’sopen them together and find out.” Nic would never do anything toupset them. “One, two, three… go,” she said, making a game ofit.
What she saw inside the package stunned her.Somehow, Nic had found a traditional Afghan Nikah dress, green inaccordance with Islamic tradition. How had he even known? Thematerial was soft and light, emerald green with gold polka dots. Aheadscarf of the same material had an elaborately decorated edgethat matched the cuffs of the dress’s sleeves. Azita’s throatconstricted. She’d have gotten married in a rice bag if need be,but Nic had made certain she could remember this day proudly.
Laila’s exclamations drew her attention. Herbundle contained a very pretty gown of pale blue and gray with theoccasional light yellow. It was perfect for Laila’s coloring, age,and circumstances. The girl’s eyes sparkled as she held the dressin front of her body. “It is so pretty. Why would the moviestar—”
“Nic,” Azita supplied.
“Nic. Why would he give us such nice things?”Her brows popped. “Does he want to take you from Agha Kaden?”
Azita snorted and shook her head. She had afew things to teach Laila about other cultures. “Not at all. Nicalready has a wonderful fiancée, and in his society, he can haveonly one wife.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and to answer your earlier question,Nic is a very close friend of Kaden’s. Since we will be Kaden’sfamily, Nic thinks of us as family too.”
The child’s brow furrowed as she consideredthis. “So he will be like an uncle to me?”
“Exactly. Nic’s fiancée, Lauren, has ason—”
Laila’s face lit up. “I will have acousin?”
“You will.” Azita’s heart warmed. Theexcitement in her new daughter’s expression convinced her she’dmade the right decision for both of them in accepting Kaden’sproposal. “Now, let’s get dressed before themullaharrives.”
They helped each other with the buttons andties, then combed each other’s hair before carefully putting ontheir headscarves. “You look like a princess, Azitajan,”Laila said with a last pat on Azita’s head, her face glowing withwonder.
“I feel like one. Someday, when you meet theright man, one you want to marry, you will have a dress even morebeautiful than this one.”
Laila wrapped her arms around Azita andpressed her head to Azita’s shoulder. “Thank you so much for savingme. Khan Tariq is a horrible man.”
“I know,azizam. You will never haveto deal with him again.”
Laila hastily wiped the wetness from hercheeks and smiled brightly. Her expression was a bit forced, butmore than Azita had hoped for. “Your groom awaits you, Azitajan.” Arm in arm, they returned to the men.
