Page 86 of Deadly Betrayal

“I want… you… happy,” Shahram whispered as helabored for breath. His eyes flicked to Kaden then returned to her.He held her gaze. “Promise?”

How could she deny her brother? She would doall she could to free Kaden of the nightmare she’d dragged himinto. He’d be better off without her, and knowing he was safe wouldmake her happy.

Holding Shahram’s face between her hands, shenodded and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. “I promise, mybrother.”

He smiled and relaxed as though her promisewas what he’d been holding on for. A scream welled inside her. Shesnuffed it. If she started to wail now, she’d never stop. Thesewere the final moments of her brother’s life, and she wouldn’twaste them feeling sorry for herself.

With her fingers, she ruffled his hair.Shahram’s breathing slowed and his lids drooped. Her brother wasleaving her. She had to do this right. He had to know he was lovedand honored. That he’d be in her heart.

“You have and always will mean the world tome, beloved brother. Go now to your reward.”

He took one last rasping breath. His backarched, and the light faded from his eyes.

A gaping hole opened in her chest. A holethat would never mend. Sobs shook her shoulders as she angled overShahram and pressed one last kiss to his forehead. A tear fell onhis cheek, and she wiped it away with her thumb. “Your sistershould be dead instead of you,” she whispered, silently vowing tosee those responsible brought to justice.

Chapter 20

Over the course of his military career, Kadenhad seen many deaths, some involving close friends. None had everleft him as rudderless as Shahram’s. Kaden had barely known theman. All their interactions had been strained, even adversarial. Sowhy was he so affected?

Azita lay sprawled on her brother’s unmovingchest, her pain evident in the shudders wracking her body. Hermournful sobs pierced his heart, his brain, until he wished hecould make himself deaf. He shouldneverhave left themalone. Tariq’s men had been too close, the risk of discovery toohigh. While he’d been on his quest for water, joking with thevillage boy, Shahram and Azita had been cowering under a bushawaiting discovery.

Now here she was, the only woman he’d neverforgotten, crying over her dead brother’s body. She’d blame him forit, and when she did, he’d have to agree. Itwashis fault.But her death would not be.

Gently, he shook her shoulder. “Azita. Weneed to leave. It isn’t safe here.”

Looking a little disoriented, she sat on herheels. Her breath caught as she covered her mouth and tried tomuffle her sobs. “The men are all dead.”

“There will be others.” He took her hand andhelped her to her feet. “Come, the village isn’t far.”

Empty eyes stared at him. She pressed a handto her throat in a helpless gesture that made him feel like abastard. “I-I do not know what to do.”

Without a second thought, he pulled her tohim and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. What she’d done,what she might have done, none of it mattered right now. Hecaressed her head through the silkiness of her scarf. “We’ll figureit out together.”

“I do not deserve your help.” Her voicewavered as she pressed her face against his bare chest, her hottears burning rivulets into his skin.

He held her tighter. “I’m here. Let me dothis for you.”

“How can you even stand to touch me?”

“I won’t deny it. I’m angry you lied to me,and you still haven’t told me everything… about that night. Butthis isn’t the time for long explanations.” He captured her face inhis hands and forced her to look at him. “Right now, we need to getthe hell out of here. I don’t want you to end up like…”

Her chin raised an inch. “Nor I you.” Hereyes were ravaged with pain, but behind it all, there was a sparkof determination that gave him hope. Maybe, just maybe, they’descape this clusterfuck in one piece.

Azita placed her vest over Shahram’s face.Kaden picked him up, cradling the limp body in his arms as heshould have done earlier. Side by side, they started on the roughpath toward the village. “What do you want to do, Azita?”

She cast her eyes down. “It is not so muchwhat I want to do, rather, it is what I must.”

A large hole he’d noticed earlier blockedhalf the path. He stepped behind her so they could pass it safely.“Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

“Khalid might not want me after all this.”She waved her hands vaguely in front of her.

“Do you want him to take you back?” Kaden’sgut tensed, and he hated himself for it. Until he knew the fullextent of her involvement in the ambush, he couldn’t let himselfimagine a life with her.

“What choice do I have now?”

“That wasn’t my question.”

“No.” She stopped and turned to face him. Thespark of determination burned bright. “The answer is no. I will endup hating him for what he has done to Laila. He says I willunderstand once I know the reason he sold his brother’s daughter toa madman, but he is wrong. I will never understand how a man cantreat a woman like a possession, something to be bartered orsold.”