Page 21 of Deadly Betrayal
He wanted to tell her his plan. His throatburned with the need to let the words out. His heart ached toreplace the disappointment in her eyes with approval.Unfortunately, he didn’t think she was ready to hear it yet.“You’ll understand soon enough.”
With that, he left her and walked into theliving room where he settled on the tan leather couch he’d recentlypurchased. It was cold and hard, but it had cost a small fortune,and he was going to use it until it had holes from his ass rubbingon it. He plucked a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket andlit one. As the smoke curled up from his mouth and into his nose,he let go of the tension stiffening his shoulders. Azita was ahandful, that was true, and with a little coaxing, she’d be awildcat once he was between her legs. Of course, he’d have to helpher forget everything she knew about such matters. He liked hiswomen to enjoy their private time. No quick forays under the sheetsfor him.
The clink of dishes being taken out of thecupboards distracted him from his rather pleasant daydream. He hadto be careful what he told Azita. She was knowledgeable aboutpolitics and the current frenzy regarding land deals for miningrights. With her intelligence, she’d put the puzzle togetherquickly if he inadvertently gave away too many pieces. Still, hehad to give her enough that she wouldn’t turn away from him. Hecouldn’t lose her over Laila’s marriage.
A pang of unease gripped his gut as heremembered Azita’s shouted words:What would my husband think ifhe were alive to see this?
Faroukh would want to castrate him. He’dnever have allowed Khalid to trade a child or anyone else to KhanTariq, certainly not his own Laila. Faroukh had held such highhopes for her before his death. He’d even left her a sizeable dowryand had extracted a promise from Khalid to make a suitable matchfor her. Frowning, Khalid tapped the ashes off his cigarette as heremembered that day.
Well, this wasn’t a good match for the child,but it was a good one for Khalid and for Afghanistan. Faroukh wouldhave seen that. Someday, people would know what Khalid had done.Someday, he’d be a hero to his countrymen. Someday he’d be a heroto Azita.
The object of his musings emerged from thekitchen, a tray in her hands. Kneeling on a cushion, she set aplate of freshbolaniand a small bowl of yogurt seasonedwith garlic on the low table in front of him, then handed him a cupof tea.
“Thank you, Azitajan.”
“Nooshe jan.” She lowered her eyes asshe wished him a good meal.
He frowned again at the top of her head. Herbeing afraid of him or unhappy was the last thing he wanted. Whenthey finished eating the appetizers, crispy wraps stuffed withpotato, scallions, and cilantro, she got up and returned with yetanother tray. This time, she served him some bread and set a plateofpalawand a bowl ofqorma-i-morghbetween them.The rich scents of cardamom and ginger wafted up from the chickenstew as he spooned it onto the rice. Using a piece of bread, hescooped up several chunks of chicken.
Azita was a better cook than he’d haveguessed. “Did your aunt teach you to make this?” Faroukh had toldhim Azita’s mother had died due to complications at childbirth whenAzita was only ten years old. He’d long suspected that was why shewas so determined to practice medicine.
“Yes. I hope you like it.”
“Very much,” he answered, smiling when sheblushed at his compliment.
They ate the remainder of their meal incompanionable silence. Khalid imagined many evenings such as thisone, evenings that would end in her room. In her bed. Hiskirstirred in his pants and he crossed his legs to hide itfrom her.
Azita looked up from clearing the dishes andsat back on her heels. Her cheeks burned red. “Khalid.” She clearedher throat before continuing. “You mentioned in the car today thatyou had plans for me. What might they be?”
He scratched the hairs of his short beard ashe peered at her face, studying her eyes. She seemed nervous. Orperhaps anxious? Did she too feel the connection between them?Uncrossing his legs, he leaned forward and took her hand. When sheresisted, he smiled and tugged gently. “Azitajan. As mybrother wanted, I’ve waited one very long year to make thishappen.”
Her brows rose. “To make what happen?”
Gazing upon the most beautiful andunconventional woman he’d ever met, Khalid grinned with happiness.Azita would make the perfect politician’s wife, and she’d bear himgood-looking, intelligent children. His plan had already been setin motion, but this next step would cement it. “In one month, youand I will marry.”
Chapter 6
Kaden forced himself to relax as he satbeside Nic in the makeshift movie theater at ISAF Headquarterswhile the final battle scene ofBad Daysraged on the largescreen. The audience broke out into tumultuous applause when BlakeWinters, played by Nic, shot down the last insurgent.
Even in the flickering light, Kaden could seethe blush on his friend’s face. Nic was proud of his work andenjoyed acting, but sometimes he grew uncomfortable with thelimelight. Kaden gently nudged him, recalling whenBad Dayshad premiered at the GI Film Festival. Kaden had been on pins andneedles during the entire viewing of the movie, his fearsvindicated when Nic had received a threatening text message from astalker who’d been in the theater with them. Ironically, despitetheir being in a war zone, Nic was far safer today, surrounded byhundreds of adoring fans, all armed and ready to protect him.
When the lights came on, they moved out intoa courtyard where a special dinner in Nic’s honor was being served.Kaden made note of the exits and the positions of the guards, andkept his eye on the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. Hewasn’t particularly apprehensive, but it paid to be vigilant,especially in a country where women and children were often used insuicide bombings.
A young soldier approached Nic. He had starsin his eyes and a Coke in his hands. “I bet you could use a drinkright now. Sorry, it’s not something stronger. The general bannedalcohol from headquarters a few years ago.”
Taking the offered soft drink, Nic downed afew sips. “Thanks for this. Never thought I’d miss beer so muchthough.”
“I’m dying for one myself. You going toKunduz? The German base has alcohol.”
Nic whipped around to quirk an eyebrow atKaden. “We’re going there, right?”
“Yep, third stop.”
His gaze sliding over to Jake, Nic poked afinger into his chest. “That will be your first order once we’re inKunduz. Got it?”
Jake rolled his eyes. “Yes, sir!”
And just like that, the small knot of worryin Kaden’s gut unraveled. If he couldn’t be there to watch overNic, Jake was the next best person for the job.
