Page 35 of Deadly Betrayal

Against her shoulder, his chest moved as hetook a deep breath. “One of them is an actor. He’s here on a tourof the ISAF bases, and we’re his bodyguards.”

Smiling, she opened her eyes. Kaden was alarge man, and if his size alone didn’t intimidate any would-beattackers, his military skills would. “It’s a good cover.”

His jaw clenched. “A dangerous one.”

“They must be good friends to do this foryou.”

“The best.” The certainty in his tone sentsmall sparks up her spine. She could count her friends on one hand,and none would do for her what Kaden had already done. And thiseven though she and Kaden were little more than strangers. Hisfriends were truly blessed to have him.

A few minutes later, Shahram pulled theCorolla into a fueling station. When she struggled to sit, Kadenslid an arm behind her shoulders and eased her up. “Where are we?”she asked.

“Pol-e-Khomri.” Shahram stopped theengine.

She looked around. Beside the small stationwas a store. Perhaps now that they were out of the pass, there’d besome women’s facilities.

“I need to… uh…” She lowered her lids andlooked away.

Kaden touched her cheek. “I’ll take care ofrefueling the car. Shahram, help your sister to the store. Find hersome restrooms.”

Shahram glared at them, hissing, “I mustremind you that we are not alone here.”

“Whatever.” Kaden shrugged, but he moved hishand away.

Azita ignored her brother and the feelings ofshame he brought her. Her mind was on her bladder. She scrambledfor the door handle. Shahram stopped her with a hand on herelbow.

“Yes?” she asked, confused.

He held up her bloodied scarf. Her hands flewto her head, wrapped only in an elasticized bandage. The accidentmust have rattled her brain. Unbelievably, she’d almost walkedoutside without a headscarf. But she couldn’t put her old one backon. “Could you get my bag, please?”

“Of course.” Shahram opened the door toleave.

“And she’ll need another coat. Do you have aspare?” Kaden asked.

How could she have forgotten? She rolled hereyes and immediately regretted it when little knives jabbed intoher scalp. “There’s a vest in my bag.” Now that they were out ofthe mountains, the temperature had warmed considerably. Were it notfor her blood-stained pants and tunic, she’d have forgone the vestaltogether.

When Shahram returned, she smiled, seeing theneatly stacked tunic and pants that he carried along with her vestand headscarf. On top of the pile were a large bottle of water anda small bar of soap. “You will feel better once you have cleaned upand changed,” he said, not meeting her eyes.

Her heart ached with tenderness. Shahram hadhis moments. “And you?”

“I will feel better too.”

Azita laughed softly, and Kaden grinned.“Once you and Shahram get back, I’ll try to clean this up a bit.”He waved at his torso and legs. “All this blood will draw too muchattention.”

Shahram barely suppressed a gag as he turnedaway from them. Shaking his head, Kaden got out of the car andwalked around to her side while she wrapped the clean scarf aroundher head. He opened the passenger door and helped her to stand.“All right?”

“Yes.” She was a little wobbly, but the freshair felt wonderful, and she couldn’t wait to put on some cleanclothes.

Shahram took her arm and helped her walk tothe store. Azita wanted to fall to her knees and give thanks toAllah when she learned the store did indeed have a women’srestroom. Had they not, she’d have needed to take desperatemeasures. Carefully carrying her bundle so as not to get blood onit, she entered the small room and locked the door. After relievingherself, she washed her hands with the bottled water and soapShahram had given her, then stripped off her soiled clothing. Therelatively clean back of herkameezwould have to serve as atowel. She meticulously washed the blood from her face and neck.Her hair would have to wait, but it would be covered by her scarfanyway.

When she was as spotless as she could managein the primitive facilities, she put on her clean clothes andbundled the dirty ones under her arm. Feeling much better, shebrowsed the store’s offerings. She was a little queasy, but foodwould settle her stomach. She found some bread and cheese and a fewapples, then looked around for Shahram. He stood by the counterwhere he’d ordered tea for all of them. “I left my money inthe…”

He tapped the counter. “I’ll take care ofit.”

“Thank you, my brother.” Once he’d paid, theygathered their purchases and returned to the car. The broken windowhad been taped up and the back seat was free of glass. She handedKaden a cup of tea. “You work quickly.”

He winked. “Only when I need to.” Aftertaking a sip of his tea, he grabbed his duffel bag. “Be rightback.”

His steps quick but not hurried, he headedtoward the store. Authority and a quiet confident self-relianceradiated from him. There was a man who could take care of himselfand those he called friend. Azita stared after him as she spreadthe food out on the hood of the car. Even in Afghan clothing, Kadencut a fine figure. His height was rather extraordinary, and severalmen took notice. She frowned. “Maybe you should have gone withhim,” she said to her brother.