Page 124 of Deadly Betrayal

Khalid bristled, his eyes shooting daggers.“Azita is my fiancée.Idecide what she does and where shegoes.”

“Listen, you fucker. You aren’t gettinganywhere near her or Laila. Azita knows you ordered us stoned todeath, and she wants nothing to do with you.”

“It is my right. I have the law on myside.”

Kaden crossed his arms and stroked hislengthening beard. Christ, he couldn’t wait to shave it off. Hewanted nothing between him and Azita, except their bare skin. “Sowhat’s your plan then? You gonna call the ANP to have her arrestedas soon as she leaves the camp?”

Khalid took a step back, and Kaden sniggered.“You really think I’m going to let her go with you so you can haveher killed, you sick fuck?” Grabbing Khalid’s shirt, he shook theman vigorously. “As long as I’m alive, you’re never going to getyour hands on her. Understood?”

Kaden had to hand it to the man. He was acool one. No wonder he managed to negotiate deals with warlords.Khalid pried Kaden’s fingers off his clothing, and Kaden let him.“I do not want her punished. I want her to be my wife.”

Now that was the last thing Kaden hadexpected. He was staring, but he couldn’t help it. “Have you lostyour mind? You tried to have the woman killed. She doesn’t want tomarry you.”

Khalid smirked. “She will if it means she cankeep Laila.”

Kaden didn’t think. He acted. Gripping thesmaller man’s neck, he raised him to the tips of his toes. “Youbrought that murderous piece of shit into their lives. You areresponsible for Freba’s death. No one else. I wouldn’t trust youwith a dog, much less with the lives of defenseless, innocentwomen.”

“I take good care of my family.” The wordsdidn’t even sound strangled, and Kaden thought about tightening hisgrip on Khalid’s neck. Holding Kaden’s gaze, Khalid smoothed outthe front of his shirt where Kaden’s fingers had left deep creasesin the material.

“You sure about that? Are your wives andchildren protected right now?”

Khalid patted himself down as though lookingfor a phone. “You—you wouldn’t—”

“No,” Kaden said mildly. “But Tariq would.You’re responsible for the cancer you’ve let loose.”

Khalid scanned the airfield. “I need to gethome.”

“You do that.” Kaden signaled to a soldier.“Can you take him to the civilian airport, please?”

“Right away.” He ran off in the direction ofsome vehicles.

“What about Freba? She needs to be buriedbefore dusk,” Khalid said.

“I’ll talk to Azita and let you know.”

The soldier returned, pulling up to them in ajeep. “This is not over,” Khalid said as he hopped in. “Azita ismine. She will be my wife, and there is nothing you can do to stopme.”

“We’ll see about that,” Kaden said throughgritted teeth as he signaled the driver to leave. When Khalid wasout of sight, Kaden turned to the men who’d saved his ass today. Heshook each of their hands and repeated the offer he’d made toHassan. “You need a job when you’re back stateside, you let meknow.”

The men climbed back into the helicopter.Kaden waved one last time to Hassan before the back ramp waslifted. Jake stood beside him as the pilot did a pre-flight check.A grin split Jake’s face when one of the cockpit doors opened, anda perky brunette stepped down. She waved to the men inside, thenclosed the door. Crouching low, she hurried over to them. Hercheeks glowed as she jumped into Jake’s arms, her legs encirclinghis waist. Jake had only a moment to laugh before she grabbed hisjaw and kissed him.

Kaden shook his head in amusement as Gwendevoured his friend’s face. It certainly explained why they’d beenrescued with a British HC2A. The MI6 agent must have called in somefavors from her RCAF or SAS buddies.

After a few long minutes during which Kadengrew very uncomfortable, the kiss finally ended. Jake lowered Gwento her feet and unashamedly adjusted his camo pants, making herlaugh.

Yeah, I’m out of here.Kaden spun onhis heel to head back to the hospital tent where he could be ofsome use. Jake caught his arm. “Wait up.”

Sighing, Kaden stopped. It was hard for himto watch their happiness, their carefree reunion. He wanted to havethat with Azita. Christ, he was an ass. Not only was there aculture gap the size of the continental divide, the woman wasdealing with the death of her brother, the death of a close friend,the sorrow of a newly orphaned girl, and the machinations of aderanged guardian determined to either have her stoned to death orforce her to marry him. Azita sure as hell didn’t have time to suckface.

He held his hand out to Gwen. “Thanks for allyour help. I hope the Chinook didn’t cost you too much.”

“Not at all.” She smiled. “Just one favor.”Her arm snaked around Jake’s waist. “You blokes were bloodybrilliant. Only seven men defeated a campful of militants. It wasan honor to witness.”

Jake blushed. “We had Kaden and Hassantoo.”

Kaden laughed and smacked Jake on the back.“You two have fun.” When he was halfway to the hospital tent, Jakecaught up to him again. Alone. “Anything you need me to ask her?She’s a great source of information.”

“Now that you mention it. As long as Tariq’salive, he’s a threat. If that bastard leaves Fayzabad, I need toknow.”