Page 155 of Deadly Betrayal

The bodyguard watched her anxiously beforegrabbing her wrist. “What’s wrong with her?” When the Americanstared pointedly at the hand on Azita’s arm, the guard dropped itand began to examine the woman. “I don’t see any injuries.”

Azita averted her gaze, and Khalid wasinstantly on his guard. Azita had done something to the woman. “Iinjected her with morphine sulfate.”

The man’s face paled. “A lethal dose?”

“A very high dose, but no. It should not belethal.”

Swearing under his breath, the man slid hisarms under the woman’s knees and back, then stood and laid her onthe bed. His movements were smooth and powerful, as though hecarried no burden.

Kaden narrowed his eyes at Khalid. “How didyou know Gwen was in here?”

Gwen. He hadn’t even known the woman’sreal name. Taking a deep breath, he prayed the American wouldn’tkill him. Khalid’s eyes drifted to Azita, who sat on the carpet,hugging Laila. She seemed terrified.

How much should he reveal about the night ofthe ambush? He had no idea what Azita had or hadn’t told her newhusband. “All I know is that when Khan Tariq’s men grabbed meoutside the hotel, she was there with them. Khan Tariq and his menplanned to cause a diversion in the hallway while she came in thewindow and captured Laila.”

At the reminder of what had almost happened,Laila’s frail body shook like a kite in rough winds. The poor childhad been through so much, and most of it at his hands.

“So you led them here,” the Americaninsisted.

“No! They must have spotted me when I waswalking and followed me back.” The big man raised his brows in askeptical gesture. “I swear. I didn’t even know Khan Tariq washere. When I called to make arrangements for Shahram’s body, I tookLaila out of the deal.”

“You expect us to believe this bullcrapstory?” the bodyguard said as he stroked the unconscious woman’sface.

How would the man react if Khalid told himthe rest? The American crossed his arms and was frowning at Khalid.Khalid’s heart began to race. These men could kill him with theirbare hands, snap his neck like a piece of dry bread. He doubtedAzita would even try to stop them. Still, he pleaded with her. “Itried to warn you. Several times. Did you hear?”

“I did.” She set Laila on the floor and cameto stand beside her husband. Her hand settled on his arm. “Kaden,there is more.”

He looked down, his expression softening.“What is it, honey?”

“The woman. I knew her from before. That iswhy I did not let her take Laila, even though she told me you hadsent her.”

“She was lying.”

The smile she gave the American wastremulous. Was Azita frightened of her husband’s anger, orfrightened she’d lose him once he learned of her role in theambush?

“I know. You would never let a stranger takeLaila from me. From us,” she said.

The American glanced at the girl over hisshoulder and winked, making Laila giggle. What magic did this manweave to so easily bewitch Faroukh’s wife and daughter? When hebrought his gaze back to Azita, the American hooked a strand ofhair behind her ear. She had yet to put on a headscarf. Did shemean to stop wearing one completely?

The bodyguard shifted on the bed and regardedAzita. “You said you knew her. How?”

Despite all they’d been through and the painin his heart from her rejection, Khalid had the urge to protectAzita. He wanted her to have a good life, even if it was not withhim. The American and his friend might never forgive her if theyknew the truth. “It was me. I—”

She cut him off with a small shake of herhead and a sad smile. “It is okay, Agha Khalid. My husband alreadyknows the truth about my involvement in the ambush.”

Khalid’s eyes went from her to the man inquestion. The American looked at her with love in his eyes. He hadbeen betrayed, almost killed—not by Azita’s hand to be sure—yet, hestill found it in his heart to forgive her. If the man were anAfghan, Azita would be dead. Instead, she was married to a lovinghusband. It was incomprehensible.

“Azita did not know about the weapons,”Khalid said.

“But you did.” Not a question.

Khalid nodded. “The woman, the one you callGwen, and I arranged the ambush and split the money.”

Azita flinched, her lips pursing as thoughshe’d tasted something awful. “And they used me to communicate.Gwen was the patient I told you about.”

The bodyguard cursed. “I don’t get why Gwenwas involved in it at all.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Ithad to be a part of some undercover op. I’ll talk to her and findout when she wakes up.”

“Before you do that, there is something elseyou should know.” Khalid sucked in a breath. They were not going tolike what he had to tell them.