Page 36 of Deadly Betrayal

“And leave you alone with all these vulturescircling about?” With his hand, he vaguely indicated a ragtag groupof men, idly leaning against a building across the road. He brokeoff a piece of bread and rolled some feta cheese into it. “You knowbetter.”

Yes, she did. But still, she was concerned.She opened her mouth to argue when Shahram’s phone trilled loudly.“Who is it?” she asked, even though she already knew theanswer.

He looked at the number on the screen and thecolor leached from his face. “It’s Khalid.” He started to shove thephone back in his pocket.

“You can’t ignore it. He’ll know something iswrong.”

His hand rubbing his forehead, Shahram mether gaze. “I’m sure he already does.”

Azita swayed and he lunged toward her.Half-carrying, half-dragging her, he got her into the back seat. Amoment later, he pressed a glass of hot tea into her hands. “Drink,my sister. I’m sure it will help you.”

She nodded and sipped at the sweet liquid.The sugar gave her some much-needed energy. He left her again, onlyto come back with a roll of bread and cheese. Shahram would neverbe the one to dash into a scene and save the day; he was no hero.But he was her brother, her family. And that mattered. She nibbledat the bread roll, the salty cheese sparking her hunger. “Thankyou, my brother. I feel much better now.”

“You’re welcome.” He went around the car andgot into the back seat with her.

“What should we do now that our plan to trickAgha Khalid seems to have failed?” Azita asked.

“Go back?”

Azita bristled. She’d defended her brotheragainst Kaden’s earlier accusations, but the hope in his voicecaused a prickle of unease in her belly. His question did give hera thought. “You will go back. Agha Khalid doesn’t know about Kaden.He doesn’t know we have help. If you go back, you can convince himthat our story was not a lie. He’ll have no reason to believe I’mnot in Herat because surely I wouldn’t go after Khan Tariqalone.”

“But what about you? I can’t leave you alonewith… withhim,” he finished, lowering his voice.

“I’ll be perfectly fine with my husband,” shesaid, more loudly than necessary. If anyone was listening, theirroles would be clear.

“Azitajan, think this through. IfAgha Khalid discovers what you’ve done…”

She took a good look at him, the brother sheboth loved and resented. This was how he’d ended up with Jamila,never once considering the consequences of his actions. His mindonly saw a short distance into the future. Hers, on the other hand,saw far beyond. “Brother, there was never any hope for me. What didyou think? I would return to Khalid’s home with Laila and hermother, and he’d never suspect that I’d had anything to do withgetting her back? The moment I left his house, I became a woman onthe run.” She looked up, her eyes begging him to understand. “Butyou can be saved. If you return now, you can stall him. Tell himwhatever story you want. Blame it on me. I don’t care. By the timehe figures out what has happened, I’ll be long gone.”

Shahram shook his head, his eyes rimmed withred. “But where will you go?”

Tears blurred her vision. She’d miss herbumbling brother. “It’s best if you don’t know.”

“You’re all I have left, Azitajan.”His voice cracked on her name.

She ran her fingers through his short hair.“Then keep him away. Give me a few days to get this done. Thewedding is on Saturday. Give me until then.”

“Okay.” His eyes glistened. “I’ll do what youask, but I don’t like it. I should be with you, protectingyou.”

She smiled through her tears. “Youwillbe protecting me. Keep Agha Khalid in Kabul, and I’llbe safe.” It was a lie, but having Khalid away from her meant sheand Kaden would have to deal only with Tariq and his men.

Kaden had approached so quietly that neitherof them noticed until he cleared his throat. He stood in the opendoor beside her, his gray vest andshalwar kameezdamp. He’dsomehow managed to get most of the blood out. Only a pinkish hueremained on his thighs. “What’s going on?”

Azita swallowed and surreptitiously dried hercheeks. “Agha Khalid called again. Shahram will go back to Kabul.”She told Kaden the rest of the plan she and Shahram hadformulated.

Kaden’s gaze went from her to Shahram andback. He nodded. “Good idea.”

“I heard the store clerk give anothercustomer a number to call to hire a driver.” Shahram thumbed towardthe trunk. “I will get my bag.”

“Azita, do you need anything before we hitthe road again?” Kaden asked.

“Let’s eat first. Please,” she added whenKaden frowned. They were all hungry and on edge. And he wasprobably eager to put some kilometers between them and her brother.But Azita desperately wanted to savor what might well be her lastmoments with Shahram. Kaden crossed his arms and for a moment, shefeared he’d refuse.

She hurried to give him a more convincingargument. “After lunch, Shahram can call Agha Khalid and tell himhe is coming back.” She eyed her brother. “Tell him you will meethim at the office when you arrive in Kabul. We do not want himwaiting for you at your home where he will be sure to question thedriver.”

Shahram took a bite of his bread and chewedslowly, considering her plan. “I can manage that.”

Silent as always, Kaden walked around the carto Shahram’s side and grabbed him behind the neck. The curve of hislips was so predatory her brother trembled. To others, it mightlook friendly, but from her vantage point, she saw it for what itwas—a warning, a threat. A promise. His eyes hardened. “You bettermanage it. If Khalid comes after us or word gets back to Tariq thatwe’re coming after him, I’ll know it came from you. You don’t wantto find out what happens to people who betray me.”