Page 34 of Deadly Betrayal

Logic and years of medical training assuredAzita that her head would not explode like a tomato left too longin the hot summer sun. Feeling groggy, her mouth impossibly dry,she cautiously touched the compression bandage Kaden had wrappedaround her head to keep the wound closed and to control thebleeding. A smile tugged at her lips as she imagined what she mustlook like. He’d gone a bit overboard with the wrapping.

When the daggers behind her eyes receded, shetook a chance and opened her lids.

Kaden’s beautiful eyes, the color of richhoney, stared down at her with concern. He ran the backs of hisfingers along her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

Her throat ached and she had to swallowseveral times before she could speak. “I will survive.”

He helped her sit up and offered her a bottleof water. She accepted it gratefully. The cool water slid down herthroat, refreshing her. She looked at her clothing. Her coat andtunic were soaked with blood. As were Kaden’s. “Thank you fortaking care of me. I am guessing my brother was not much help.” Shechuckled. He’d never handled the sight of blood well.

“Azitajan,” Shahram said from thefront seat where he was following the haphazard instructions of thepolice as they bypassed ambulances, tow trucks, and disabledvehicles. They hadn’t gone far, but at least they were movingagain. “You scared me to death. I do not know what I would dowithout you.”

Her brother’s haunted eyes were reflected inthe rearview mirror, his expression reminding her that they wereall that was left of their family.

Leaning forward, she squeezed his shoulder.“I am all right, my brother.”

He covered her hand with his. “You alwayswere the strong one.”

“I don’t know, man,” Kaden said with a glintin his eye. “You seemed pretty strong when you were clawing yourway out of the back seat to go barf.”

A laugh escaped her lips, surprising her andincreasing the throbbing in her head. She groaned and grabbed thesides of her skull. “Please, do not make me laugh.”

He patted her leg. “I’ll do my best, but theydon’t call me Comedy Kaden for nothing.”

“And here I thought Christians were supposedto be merciful.”

Kaden grinned, showing all his gloriousteeth. “I’ve known more than a few who were very… uh… OldTestament.”

She couldn’t help the smile that curved herlips. His sense of humor was as subtle as the cutting edge of aknife. This experience was like nothing she’d ever had before, andshe wasn’t thinking of the head injury. Kaden was the first man inher life, besides her father, who’d ever cared enough to try tolift her spirits. Even Faroukh had waved her away when she was in amood. Khalid just gave her a stern look.

Despite the risk of being caught, she studiedKaden’s face as Shahram drove them through the pass. Although hestill looked incredibly handsome with his dyed hair, brows, andbeard, she missed his blond locks. They’d made his golden eyes morestartling, more gorgeous. His broad shoulders extended beyond themiddle of the seat as his long capable hands lay flat on histhighs. And even through the loose fit of hiskameez, shecould make out the bulge of his well-developed biceps each time hemoved his arms.

Shooting her a cocky look, he grinned. “Seesomething you like?”

Oh yes. Perhaps it was the adrenaline rush ofalmost dying that was making her so bold, but right now, she wantedto know how those lips would feel on hers. The few times Faroukhhad kissed her, his lips had been hard and dry. Kaden’s looked likethey’d be soft, yet demanding. His mouth would touch her mouth.He’d taste of tea, or perhaps of man...

“Azita?” he said, the single word ripe withhumor.

Heknewwhat she’d been thinking,imagining. Her face heated as though with a fever. She had to braveher way through this. There was no place in Kaden’s world for her.What was that colorful expression Americans used? Oh yes. She was adead woman walking, and Kaden deserved far better.

His smile turned to a frown as he continuedto study her. “You seem a little flushed. Maybe you should liedown.”

She took another sip of water and consideredhis offer. It was rather scandalous. On the other hand, when she’dcome to earlier, she’d been lying in Kaden’s lap where he’dbandaged her up. They’d already gone beyond intimate in manyrespects.

Taking a chance that her brother wouldn’tdare interfere, she rested her head on Kaden’s powerful thighs. Hereached down and picked up his vest that had fallen to the floor.After folding it up, he placed it under her head. Her gaze roamedover his beard and hair, his makeup-darkened skin. “I can’t quiteget used to your new color.”

He grimaced and his hand went to his head.“Neither can I. Jake and Nic will get a kick out of itthrough.”

“These are your friends?” She knew so littleabout this man who had put his life on hold, if not on the line, tohelp her get Laila back. “Tell me about them.”

He hesitated, then he started talking.“They’re great guys. We started a bodyguard business together.”

His thoughts seemed to turn inward. As theycontinued to make their way off the Salang Pass and into thevalley, he stared out the side window. The sight always made herchest ache with its harsh beauty. Did he feel the same? “Where arethey now?” she prodded.

Kaden hesitated again before answering. Washe afraid to tell her? Worried it would put his friends in danger?A pang that had been there since she’d betrayed him two yearsearlier hurt her chest. He was right to be concerned. He’d almostlost his life and another of his teammates had been killed, allbecause of her naiveté. She’d allowed herself to be manipulated,and he’d paid the price.

The less she knew about his friends thebetter.

She closed her eyes. “You don’t have to tellme.”