Page 136 of Deadly Betrayal

“I should have killed you that day inKunduz,” Khalid spat.

The American’s eyes glittered evilly as hestood straighter, looming over Khalid. “You can still try.”

Themullahapproached and spoke inDari. “Baradaran, is there a problem?”

My brothers. Ha! Khalid pointed toAzita and the American. “He says they are married, but I know helies—”

“It is true. I married them myself,” themullahsaid, cutting him off.

“But… but I am her guardian. I must representher at the Nikah.”

“Not true. According to scripture, a matureman and woman can enter into Nikah on their own.”

“Against my wishes?” This was unbelievable.By law, Azita was his. Then he thought of something that wouldsurely change the old cleric’s mind. “Did she tell you we areengaged?”

Themullahfrowned and stroked hislong grizzled beard. Khalid’s heart beat triple-time inanticipation.

“Is that true,khanom?” themullahasked Azita.

She crossed her arms. “I never agreed.”

“Then the marriage is valid.”

All Khalid’s dreams were crumbling. Had hetruly lost Azita? He clenched his sweaty hands into fists. Thiscouldn’t be happening. “Did you have two Muslim malewitnesses?”

“We did,” Azita said.

“The marriage documents have all beenappropriately completed, my brother,” themullahsaid,giving him a gimlet stare.

Khalid could only imagine the sum that hadfound its way into the cleric’s pocket. “And I suppose the fact heis not Muslim doesn’t matter either?”

Themullahopened his armsexpansively. “Islam is an enlightened religion. We welcome men suchas he into our fold.”

Of course you do. Men with full wallets… andrich friends.

Khalid was a shrewd businessman andpolitician. He knew when he was beat. Turning away from themullah, he bowed his head to Azita and Kaden. “I wish youboth the happiness you deserve.”Which is very little.

All he’d wanted for Azita was to make her hiswife, to shower her with gifts and affection, to give her children,and a safe and secure home. In return, she’d shamed him, then runoff and married the man who’d corrupted her.

Under Khalid’s nose and without hispermission.

“I hope you do not regret your choice, Azitajan. As the wife of the president, you could have helped farmore women than you did with your work at the clinic and theshelter.”

“President?” Azita and the American asked atthe same time.

“Having second thoughts now?” Khalidsneered.

Her thumb slid over the wedding ring hehadn’t previously noticed. “None.”

Reaching around Azita, Khalid took Laila’shand and began walking with her toward the road, hoping to leavewith what was left of his dignity. The tall American thwarted himagain, coming to a stop directly in front of them. His routeeffectively blocked, Khalid had no choice but to face off with theman. “What now?” he seethed.

“You cannot take Laila. You heard her mother.Freba wanted Laila to stay with Azita.”

Everything inside Khalid turned to stone atthis latest attack on his rights as head of his family. He fairlyhissed with indignation. “You got Azita. You will not get Laila.She is a minor and my niece. When my brother died, she became mydaughter.”

“So you will ignore a dying woman’s wish?”The American shook his head.

Laila tugged on his arm. “Kaka,please. Do not take me away from Azitajan. She is all Ihave now.”