Page 22 of Deadly Betrayal

Nic grinned. “Let’s mingle.”

Kaden spent the next hour trailing Nic as hemade his way through the courtyard, shaking hands and answeringquestions. Most of the female personnel requested photos. Kadenallowed it, but the women had to find a friend to take the shot. Asbodyguards, he and Jake had to keep their hands free at alltimes.

When the event started to wind down, theleader of the team that would escort Nic and Jake to BagramAirfield stopped beside Kaden. “He all set?” Sergeant McAlisterasked.

“His bags are in the car. We’ll grab them onthe way out.”

McAlister nodded. “Is he armed?”

“No, but his bodyguard is.”

“Military?”

“Former Delta Force. He won’t get in yourway.”

“Good to know. You coming too?”

“I have some business to attend to tonight.I’ll catch up with you guys,” he lied. “Bagram’s about ninetyminutes out?”

“Yep. Straight up the Kabul-Bagram AirportRoad. Can’t miss it. There’s nothing else out there.” The manlaughed and clapped Kaden on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll takecare of your client. It’s not every day we get a movie star outhere.”

Kaden smirked. “I wonder why not. It’s such apeaceful vacation spot.”

McAlister grinned. “Fifteen minutes.”

“We’ll be ready.”

Kaden notified Nic. He said his finalgoodbyes to the crowd while Jake collected their bags. A quarterhour later, Nic, bundled up in Kevlar, digital camo, and a helmet,eagerly hopped into the waiting armored truck known as aMine-Resistant Ambush Protected or MRAP vehicle. A moreserious-looking Jake climbed in behind him, making sure to staybetween Nic and the door. Two soldiers carrying M16 rifles got inlast. In the front, another heavily armed soldier took up thepassenger seat.

The tension between Kaden’s shoulder bladesbecame more insistent. The men were armed, but with just one truck,they were vulnerable to attack. Did these guys not get how big aprize Nic would be if he were captured? He thought he’d made itvery clear in their discussions yesterday.

Just as he was about to charge forward andcall off the whole tour, a second and a third vehicle took positionin front and behind the one carrying Nic and Jake. His misgivingsfled in a rush. The first was a mine sweeper, while the third wasan armored vehicle with weapons mounted on the top. Nic and Jakewould be well protected.

Once the convoy had lumbered out of the ISAFcompound, Kaden returned to the Corolla and drove to the addressShahram had given him. He was curious to meet Azita’s brother.Perhaps Shahram could explain more of Azita’s unusualcircumstances.

The trip didn’t take long. Shahram lived inKhair Khana, one of the better neighborhoods of Kabul, in arecently constructed apartment building. As he entered, Kaden didhis best to avoid detection. The last thing he needed was to beharassed by the ANP.

He knocked on the door and waited, forcinghimself to remember his training and stand still. The door opened,revealing a slim, dark-haired man with the same deep blue eyes asAzita. Kaden held his hand out. “Shahram Seraj? I’m KadenChristiansen. We spoke on the phone.”

The man shook his hand then waved him inside.“Befarmaeed, agha.After you.”

Kaden removed his boots, then followedShahram into a small living room. It was sparsely furnished with anafghan carpet, an armchair and ottoman, and a low table. Kadentossed the duffel containing his Afghan clothes and his newlyacquired weapons along the wall and sank onto the thick carpet,sighing as a wave of fatigue hit him. Damn jet lag was stillmessing with his system.

“Please, sir. Take the chair.”

Kaden offered him a resigned smile. “You goahead. I’m afraid I’d break it.” He indicated his body.

Shahram grinned and settled on the flooracross from Kaden. “You are quite large, even for an American. Mysister was right about that.” Suddenly, he jumped to his feet. “Letme get us some tea.”

“Thank you.” Kaden relished a few moments ofprivacy to rest his eyes. It had been two years since he’d last hadto call upon this particular military technique, but he used itnow. Fatigue forced his lids down and he drifted into a lightdreamless sleep.

Shahram’s quiet footsteps in the hallseparating the living room from what Kaden assumed was the kitchenwoke him. He was immediately alert and somewhat refreshed. “We cansnack on this while we map out the trip.” Shahram set a tray on thelow table and proudly announced, “I have Internet.”

Kaden’s eyes widened. Not many people did.“That’s great. I have a pretty good idea of how I want to get toFayzabad.”

“It could take several days if the roads arebad or there is a lot of traffic. Have you been north before?”

“A long time ago. I’m more familiar with thesouthern provinces.”