Page 17 of Deadly Betrayal

“Bank plus one and a half percent.”

“Agreed.”

Smiling, Abdul-nasser said, “You always diddrive a hard bargain, Viking.”

“No harder than you, my friend.” Kadenchecked his watch. “When should I return?”

The man leaned back on his hands andstretched, then straightened and toyed with the ends of his beard.“Eleven tonight. Go to the back door in the alley. Knock threetimes. Be sure to have all the money on you. No surprises.”

“No surprises.” Kaden knew what happened tomen who tried to double-cross Abdul-nasser. Even the warlordswanted to stay on his good side.

“Mind if I ask what this is all for?”

Kaden shrugged. “Just helping out afriend.”

The man drained his tea and tapped on thecarpet. “Until eleven.”

Savoring the rest of his snack, Kaden took amoment to recharge before heading back to the hotel. He’d been inKabul for only a few hours, and already there were a lot of ballsin the air. Problem was, his juggling sucked.

Kaden returned to the hotel just as it wasgetting dark. After finalizing the deal with Abdul-nasser, he’dscoped out the green zone, Kabul’s high-security diplomatic area.Nic’s appearance tomorrow would be taking place at ISAFHeadquarters on Bibi Mahru Road in the green zone. Given that Kadenhad been out of the country for almost two years, he’d wanted to dosome recon. It hadn’t changed much, except for some additionalsecurity measures.

He’d also mapped out the safest route fromthe hotel to the nearest entrance checkpoint. It was less thanthree miles and passed in front of the Presidential Palace. Theyshould be able to get Nic to the first stop of his tour in onepiece.

When he opened the hotel room door, Jake wasstanding poised to defend Nic, who was still sleeping on the couch.Kaden sighed in exasperation. “You let him sleep? It’s been atleast four hours.”

Jake grimaced. “Believe me. I tried half adozen times to wake him. The man sleeps like he’s in a coma.”

Kaden laughed, remembering the many timesthey’d been late for a press conference or an interview because Nicwouldn’t wake up. Until Kaden had figured out the trick: food.Despite his appetite and lackadaisical fitness routine, Nic somehowmaintained a fitness model’s body.Bastard.Kaden had towork out four to five times a week to keep in shape.

Picking up the hotel phone, Kaden ordered avariety of dishes from room service. Then he rummaged in his bagfor a change of clothes.

“By the way, nice duds,” Jake said, a smirkfirmly plastered on his face.

Kaden shrugged. “Cost me my favorite leatherjacket too.”

While they waited for their dinner to arrive,Kaden told Jake about his time in the green zone. “Talked to theISAF security team. They showed me where the movie will be viewedand the location of the meet and greet afterwards. Nic will be safethere.” He pulled out a map of Afghanistan and laid it out on thetable. “The part that concerns me more is the trip to BagramAirfield.”

“Will you be going with us?” Jake asked,leaning forward.

“No. I’m staying behind. I need to meet withShahram to plan the trip to Fayzabad. Then at midnight, I’ll pickAzita up and we’re off.”

Jake rubbed his chin. “If I remembercorrectly, the safest way is to go north on the Asian Highway untilyou get to the A7.” He traced the route with his finger. “Take thatto Kunduz, then go east past Taleqan and turn onto the newKishim-Fayzabad Road. There’s an alternate way a little to thesouth that’s a bit faster, but it doesn’t hit any of the biggervillages.”

Kaden nodded. The more rural the road, themore chance of encountering bandits or insurgents. Grabbing a hotelpen, he circled the tour stops on the map. The stops were mostlyalong the Afghan Ring Road. “If things go well with retrievingLaila, we’ll meet up with you guys in Mazar-e Sharif or Herat.”

Jake’s brows rose. “And if they don’t?”

Kaden spread his arms out, palms up. “I haveno idea.” He leaned back into the cushions on the couch across fromNic and rested his head on the seatback. “Once we’re out of thehotel, I’ll get the weapons. Make sure you’re armed at all times.The ISAF sergeant said they’d get a vest for Nic. I’m trying to getone for you too.”

Jake’s all-too-perceptive gaze zeroed in onhim. “You hate that you won’t be there to protect him.” His tonewas heavy with understanding and more than a hint of curiosity.

Sitting up, Kaden held Jake’s stare. “I wasin a bad place when I went back to the States. I didn’t know who Icould trust. My dad and I were never close, but he got me this jobas Nic’s bodyguard, and it saved my life.” He chuckled. “Anddespite my best efforts to keep a professional distance from ouremployer”—he angled his head at Nic—“Rip Van Winkle here hasmanaged to make us friends.”

“You guys have gone through a lot in the lastsix months—”

Kaden cut him off. “We’ve all gone through alot. You’re part of this little family Nic has put together. Out ofour whole Delta Force unit, you’re the only one I trust completely.I know for sure you didn’t betray the team.”

“Because someone tried to kill me thatnight?” Jake asked, a sardonic grin on his face.