Page 11 of Deadly Betrayal

His lips pursed and his gaze flicked to herbriefly. “I imagine very little about the human conditionembarrasses you, Doctor Azita.” They’d come upon an accident andshe waited in silence for him to get around it. “You’ve never metthe man, have you?”

She shook her head.

“Be glad. Let’s just say, his reputation doesnot do him justice. He is far more fearsome in person. No one willtouch his bride, for they know their death will be long andbrutal.”

She shuddered and he focused on the road. Atleast Laila would be safe from Tariq’s men until Azita got herback. And she had to succeed, because the child would certainly notbe safe with Tariq.

Khalid stopped the car in front of theclinic. When she reached for the door handle, he stopped her with atouch on her arm. “Remember what I’ve said. Do not jeopardizeyourself or my reputation. If I have to lock you in your room, Iwill do it.”

“I understand.”

“What time will you be done today?”

“I have a packed schedule. Around six?”

“I will pick you up.”

“Thank you.”

“And Azita?”

She glanced at him over her shoulder, eagerto get to her patients. “Yes?”

“To keep you safe, I’d do anything.”

“I know.”

“Even beat you. I wouldn’t enjoy it, but Iwould do it.”

Holding his stare, Azita gave him the lie heneeded to hear. “I will do as you ask.”

“Make sure that you do.”

Azita hurried inside the clinic and closedherself off in her tiny office. Her hands shook as she removed hercoat and hung it on the hook behind the door. Whatever feelingsKhalid might have for her now, she could not return to his homewith Laila and her mother. The public embarrassment of the abortedwedding would force him to exact retribution on them, on her. Thisrelatively peaceful period was at an end. For the rest of theirlives, they would be women on the run. Women who would be forced todo whatever was necessary to stay hidden, because if Khalid orTariq ever found them, they’d be dead.

Chapter 3

The back of Kaden’s neck prickled as he, Nic,and Jake stepped off the elevator on the sixth floor of the SafiLandmark Hotel. The hotel sat atop the Kabul City Center Mall, anoasis of riches and extravagance smack in the center of a citywhere the average resident toiled daily for a handful of rice. Herein this gilded tower, they were sitting ducks.

Nic cleared his throat. “They say this hotelhas great security.” The tension in his voice and his hunchedshoulders belied his words.

Kaden nodded. “They do.” But even the bestsecurity in the world was meaningless against a well-aimed RPG. Notto mention that in a place like Kabul, money talked. And if thewrong people caught wind that Nic was here, the money would betalkinghisname.

Arriving at room 612, Kaden unlocked thedoor. “Jake, clear it.”

“With what? I feel so fucking naked withoutmy gun.”

Kaden pointed to an umbrella in a holder justinside the door. Jake raised a brow. “Seriously?”

“Got a better idea?”

Lips thinned, Jake picked up the makeshiftweapon, wielding it like a baseball bat, and disappeared inside thesuite. Nic listened at the threshold, his face scrunched inconcentration. “I can’t even hear him moving around.”

Kaden allowed himself a small smile. Jake’sninja skills were just one of the many reasons Kaden was so proudof the kid and trusted him to protect Nic and his family.

A minute later, Jake called out theall-clear. Nic entered with Kaden protecting his back. Jake stoodin the middle of the living room, twirling the open umbrella overhis shoulder like Dick Van Dyke inMary Poppins. Nic laughedand Kaden’s shoulders lost some of their stiffness. Dropping ontothe couch, Nic rested his head and closed his eyes. “Please tell methey’ve got beer in this joint.”

“Sorry, dude,” Kaden said. “Drinking alcoholcan get you killed here, unless you’re in a military compound.”After flying for over thirty hours, they were dead on their feetand could all have used a beer. He opened the mini-fridge, stuffedwith energy drinks having names like Effect, Gangster, and BoomBoom. Yeah, the last thing any of them needed right now was ahigh-octane dose of glucose and caffeine. After rooting around onthe bottom shelf, he spotted three cans of Coca-Cola and handedthem out.