Page 125 of Deadly Betrayal

“You got it.” He tilted his head, looking atKaden with a curious expression. “Is there something else?”

Damn kid knew him too well. Kaden blew out along breath. “You heard Khalid.”

“Yeah.”

“He still wants to marry her.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “So you want to… what?Beat him to the punch?”

Yep. Jake really did know him too well. “It’sthe only way.”

“How can I help?”

“I don’t have the first clue how to getmarried in this country. It doesn’t have to stand up in court oranything. It’s just to get Khalid off her back.”

Jake arched a brow. “If you say so.”

“Seriously. It’s easier for her to go toCanada and claim refugee status if we aren’t together. By the way,how are Meg and Gwen doing with the paperwork?”

“You should be able to apply for Azita’s visain a few days.”

“Thanks, man.” Kaden pulled Jake into a hug.“I’ll check in on Nic after I get Azita and Laila settled.”

“Need help organizing the burial?”

Kaden looked pointedly at Gwen, who wastalking on a cell phone while she waited. “You sure?”

“Yeah. We’re brothers right?” Jake grippedhis shoulder. “You come first.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Kaden had to lookaway for a moment before he could speak. “The… uh… the burial needsto happen before sundown. We need to find a mosque and amullahwho’ll help us out.”

“No problem. One wedding and one burialcoming right up. Give me a few hours. I’ll let Nic know what’sgoing on too.”

“You’re the best, man.”

Jake’s cheeks colored and he looked down athis boots. “Yeah, if by ‘best’ you mean most fucked up.”

“Hey.” Kaden bumped his shoulder. “Don’t gothinking you’re special or something. This place fuckseveryoneup.”

“Aw… you’re such a flirt,” Jake said, histone light despite the shimmer in his eyes. “Go propose to the docand see if she wants to be your bride.”

Kaden nodded and crossed the last few yardsto the hospital tent. How in the hell was he supposed to propose toa woman who was in mourning? And how could he do it without makingher feel like she was once again being forced to marry? That wouldmake him no better than Khalid.

After requesting that the nurses lay a cleanwhite cloth over Freba, Azita allowed a very business-like femaledoctor to examine her. An x-ray determined that she did not have askull fracture or a concussion. And, miraculously, the wound on herhead was not infected. The doctor instructed a nurse to clean it,as well as the cut on Azita’s neck. Compared to Kaden, who had yetto see a doctor, she’d escaped with very few injuries.

Laila rested in the next bed, lookingincredibly small and lost with her stained nightdress and tangledhair. Her headscarf had long since fallen off. Her round, unseeingeyes stared at the gurney on which Freba’s body lay.

“What time is it?” Azita asked the nurse, whowas cleaning her stitches.

“Two o’clock,khanom. Are you hungry?I can have some food brought in for you and the child.”

Azita wasn’t hungry. The mere thought of foodbrought the unpleasant taste of bile to her tongue. But the day wasgetting old, and she still had to see to Freba’s burial. “Perhapsjust some light broth.”

“I’ll bring it as well as some cheese andbread. You need to keep your strength up.”

Of course, the nurse was right. Azita’senergy reserves were running low, and she needed to be strong forLaila. From experience, Azita knew the first few days were theworst. After eating, she’d ask the medical staff if there was aplace she could wash Freba’s body. Azita rubbed her brow. Shouldshe ask Laila to participate? Some people needed the closure. Lailawas a child though. Frustrated, Azita closed her eyes. What kind ofmother could she be to the girl if she couldn’t decide on even thisone matter?

A door opened and a familiar head pokedinside. Azita’s heart flipped in her chest. Perhaps she was the onehaving a heart attack now. She smiled and waved him forward. “Haveyou been seen by a doctor yet?”