Page 78 of Deadly Betrayal

Shehadn’t, at great risk toherself.

Why?

Rubbing his forehead where a headache brewed,he closed his eyes. Maybe he should just get the fuck out of hereand go meet Nic and Jake in Mazar-e Sharif. Leave all the lies andmisdirection behind, and give up his search for the person who’dbetrayed his unit.

No. He couldn’t do that. Someone had tried tokill Jake. Kaden needed to know who and why. And he couldn’t letSanchez’s death go unavenged. But what if the person who’d attackedhim and his men wasn’t the same person who had sold them out?

The pounding in his head intensified. He’dpop one of Azita’s pain killers if he didn’t need to focus, tothink. In just a few minutes, it would be showtime.

Pol-e-Khomri came into view, and Kaden madeup his mind. Regardless of which side Azita had been on in theambush—assuming she’d even been involved—he owed her. He’d followthrough with the rescue and at the same time, he’d figure out whatpart she’d had in the ambush.

Keep your friends close and your enemiescloser.

If Azita truly was a threat, he wanted tokeep her right where he could see her. Crossing his arms, he triedto close his heart off from the possibility. He hated thinking ofher as a potential enemy. He’d much rather think of her as apotential lover. After everything they’d already gone through, hewantedto trust her. But would he just be opening himself upto another betrayal?

Azita woke with a start when the SUV swervedand jerked to a halt. Covering a yawn with her hand, shestraightened in her seat and looked around. They were at a fuelingstation.

“This will not take long,” Khalid said as heclimbed out.

Staring straight ahead, Kaden said softly,“Wake your brother. Get him to leave the car.”

Azita’s pulse started to race. Did Kadenstill intend to carry out Laila’s rescue? But how? She bent tospeak next to his ear. “Are you planning to steal Khalid’svehicle?”

His nod was barely perceptible. “Get him out.Time’s almost up.”

Her heart thudding, she gently shookShahram’s shoulder. “Brother, we have stopped for fuel. Could yousee if they have any ice?” She fought to keep the anxiety out ofher voice. It would be better for Shahram if he were not involvedfrom here on out.

His lids fluttered open and he swiped a handacross his face. “Your head is hurting?”

She feigned a flinch. “A little.”

“Okay.” After getting out of the car, hestretched, then leaned back in, and glanced between her and Kaden.“Don’t do anything stupid.”

Smiling benignly, she adjusted her headscarf.“Of course not, my brother.”

The door closed. Kaden checked Khalid’slocation, and Azita did the same. Her brother-in-law was busytalking to the attendant. Shahram was ambling toward them.

Kaden immediately went into action. Heclambered over to the driver’s seat. “We’re on.” His voice wascrisp, filled with authority, the way he must have sounded when hewas with his men. It sent an odd shiver up her spine.

“The keys?” she asked.

“Right here.” He started the engine and putthe SUV in gear. Worrying her bottom lip, Azita peered out the backwindow, keeping an eye on Khalid. Where had Shahram gone?

“Hold on.” Kaden stepped on the accelerator.The pressure pushed her into the seat. Suddenly the car slammed toa stop. Azita was tossed against the side of the car like a doll.“Get out of the way!” Kaden yelled at someone in Dari.

There was a loud banging, like someonepounding on the hood. She pulled herself upright to see. Shahramyanked open the passenger door. “I am coming with you.”

Kaden gritted his teeth, the muscles in hisjaw spasming. His hand shot out, and for a moment she imagined himshoving Shahram away. Instead, he grabbed her brother by his jacketand yanked him inside even as the car took off.

Shahram screamed when his feet left theground. Reaching over the seat, Azita gripped the back of hispants. “Pull your feet in.”

The car took a sharp left onto the main roadand the door shut with a loud clack. For several long moments,Shahram lay sprawled across his seat and Kaden’s lap, his chestheaving. Azita’s own breathing was ragged, and she felt quite warmunder her headscarf and bandage.

“You can sit up now,” she said, rubbing hisarm. It was as much for her own comfort as his.

He struggled to push himself up, but Kaden’sbig hand remained fisted in his shirt. When Kaden’s eyes flickeddownward, his marble-like features hardened further. “That was afucking dumb thing to do, even for you.”

“Let me up.” Shahram tried to pull out ofKaden’s hold. The effort was, of course, futile.