Page 40 of Deadly Betrayal

His actions showing his reluctance, Shahramhanded Khalid his phone.

“Get in the car,” Khalid snapped as he tookit. He quickly located the American’s number, helpfully loggedunder “Kaden.” As Shahram hustled over to the SUV, Khalid placedanother call to Agha Ali. One good thing about Afghanistan’sculture of bribery was that someone with enough power or moneycould make things happen. Khalid didn’t have much power, yet, buthe did have plenty of money.

This American would not take Azita away norwould he thwart Khalid’s deal with Tariq. Securing that land andthe votes that Tariq could influence were crucial to Khalid’sfuture. He would not fail.

One day soon, with Azita watching on, hewould accept the honor of being named president of his belovedcountry.

Chapter 10

The sun was setting when Kaden stopped theCorolla in front of a small guesthouse in Kunduz. He hated to wakeAzita, who slept so soundly in the back seat, but she’d be morecomfortable in a bed than in a cramped car.

Getting out of the car and opening her door,he placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her gently. “Azita,honey. Wake up.”

Her lids fluttered, then slowly lifted. Shelooked around the car and stiffened when she spotted him. Kadensmiled and felt her muscles relax under his hand.

“Let’s go inside and see if they have aroom.”

“Or two?”

He tightened his lips. “I’d feel better ifyou’d let me keep an eye on you. A woman alone isn’t safehere.”

“Nor is she safe if it is discovered that theman she’s with is not her husband.”

He showed her the ID cards and marriagecertificate. “All taken care of.”

She examined them carefully. Somethingflashed over her face. Awe? Fear? He wasn’t sure, but he hoped itwas the first. She shouldn’t fear him. Ever. He wouldn’t even bealive if it weren’t for her. He owed her, and he meant to pay herback in any way he could.

Really, Kaden? You raced back here afterone single phone call because youoweher?

Brusquely, he stuffed the ID cards back intohis duffel and got out of the car. He didn’t like pop-psychology,and he had no desire to analyze himself today. Azita joined him andtogether they walked to the entrance.

When she stumbled on the uneven ground, hecaught her elbow. She thanked him, and then said, her voice low sothey wouldn’t be overheard, “Shawharam, my husband, you mustrelease me. A man never touches a woman in public except for aquick handshake if it is absolutely necessary.”

He let go, but arched his brow. “Even ahusband?”

“Yes.” She let out a long ragged breath. “Iknow it seems ridiculous. Considering the number of children bornin this country every day, it is clear that men do touch women.They just do not do it where it can be seen by others.”

He shoved his fists into the pockets of hisvest. “I’ll do my best to remember.” But damn, it would be tough tokeep his hands off her. Now that he knew she’d be all right, hewanted to hold her, to feel her heart beat against his chest. Tosee how she looked without the headscarf or a big white bandageover blood-soaked hair.

He held the door open and followed Azitainside. While she arranged for their room, Kaden made constantthroat-clearing sounds so the guesthouse clerk would think he hadlaryngitis.

After a few minutes of haggling, Azitareturned to him, key in hand. “Well, that was fun.”

Kaden chuckled. From what he’d understood,Azita had negotiated the price down by half and had arranged fordinner to be brought to their room in an hour. He collected theirluggage from the car, then they went up to their room. It wassmall, but it was clean, and they had their own bathroom, primitiveas it was. The little table with two chairs in front of the windowwould make a cozy place to eat. Two other straight-backed chairsoccupied the other side of the room.

He placed her bags on the foot of the doublemattress pushed up against the wall and tossed his own into acorner where he’d make his bed. “There’s time before the foodarrives. Why don’t you have a shower? I’ll help you put on a newbandage after.”

“That’s very kind of you.” She touched thematted hair that stuck out from her scarf and grimaced. “I’ll feelbetter once I’m clean.”

When the shower turned on, Kaden took a seatat the rickety table and dialed Jake’s number. “Hey, boss. How’s itgoing?” Jake asked as soon as he picked up.

God, it was so good to hear a familiar voice.“It’s going okay. I’m in Kunduz. You?”

“The show at Bagram Airfield went well. We’rejust about to enter the Salang Tunnel.”

Kaden shuddered as he remembered shrapnelhitting the Corolla and Azita. “Be careful of the IEDs on the sideof the road. A car exploded right in front of us.”

“Fuck. Anyone hurt?”