Page 98 of Deadly Betrayal

“Tell him no.” He started to slam the door,but his nephew blocked it with his foot, surprising Tariq. Hescowled at Patman’s temerity.

“Please forgive me, but Agha Khalid isgetting agitated. He’s been arguing that because he is your bride’suncle, you would not refuse him.”

“So what?”

Ishaq stepped out of the shadows behindPatman. “So Agha Khalid is a powerful man. You’ve kept him prisonerfor a day. Talk to him. Calm him down. We still need him.”

Tariq spun around and stalked to the windowon the opposite side of his room. The moonlight illuminated theother buildings that made up the compound. Everything was quiet.His family was safe. For now. What Ishaq had said was true. WithKhalid’s unwitting help, Tariq would be able to ensure his family’ssafety through the generations.

He pressed a hand against the cool glass.“Fine. I’ll go.” Without another word, he brushed past his brotherand nephew. The sooner he took care of the little pissant, thesooner he could sink into one of his wives. He grinned. Maybe allthree.

As soon as Tariq turned the corner and camewithin view, the guard outside Khalid’s door jumped to hisfeet.

“Open the door, Rangeen,” Tariq said, drawingon his last reserves of patience. He wasn’t happy to be here, andeveryone would know it.

When he entered the room, Tariq had to biteback a laugh. Normally controlled and dapper, Khalid was a mess.His hair was ruffled and hisshalwarkameezwrinkledand stained with sweat. Most telling of all were his eyes. Heavybags had formed under the bloodshot orbs, and his features allseemed to have slid downward. The man was in a situation he didn’tknow how to handle. That much was obvious.

“Good evening, my friend,” Tariq said,slapping a congenial smile on his face. “Salaamalaikum.”

Khalid bowed his head. “Walaikumassalaam.”

Tariq indicated the table. “Shall we sit?” Hetook one of the chairs, enjoying Khalid’s flinch when he followedsuit.

The man’s ass was far too soft to sit on woodfor hours at a time. He probably had some big Western-style couchin his living room. And that was the main difference between them.Khalid thought he was the stronger man because he worked in agovernment office in Kabul. He was wrong. Being so far removed fromthe realities of their country made him weaker. Strength wasn’t atitle; it was a gun in your hand and men at your back. People whofought for you, alongside you, because they believed in your cause,not men who fought because you paid them. Bought men were easilyswayed by a bigger payoff. Tariq had learned that lesson during thecivil war that followed the departure of the Russians.

“We are soon to be family, Agha Khalid. Ihope we can be friends as well as business associates.”

Khalid arched his brows. “Is this how youwelcome all your friends?”

The man had balls. Not many governmentworkers, even one as high up as the president, would go toe to toewith a warlord of Tariq’s caliber. “Just you, Agha Khalid. You arespecial.”

“Lucky me,” Khalid muttered, drumming hisfingers on the edge of the table.

Tariq chuckled. The other man’s sarcasm wasamusing. He had better things to do though. Time to get on with it.“Why did you wish to see me?”

Khalid’s gaze went from his fingers toTariq’s face. “How long will you keep me here?”

“I am notkeepingyou here. You are myguest. I hope you will stay until after the wedding.”

“Why is there a guard at my door?” Khalidasked, doubt clear in his eyes.

Smart man.“For your protection.”

“From whom?”

Tariq shrugged.First the flattery.“Apowerful man such as yourself has many enemies.”Then thewarning.“But do not worry. Nothing happens here without mysay-so.”

Khalid scratched his beard and bobbed hishead. He seemed lost in thought. Tariq knew the bastard. Theconniving backstabber always had a plan simmering on the stove.This time Tariq had the upper hand, and Khalid was going to learn athing or two about negotiations.

Finally, the man dropped his hand and hiseyes pinned Tariq. “I have heard that you have a few unexpectedguests for the wedding.”

Tariq dismissed him with a wave of his hand.“Nothing to be concerned about.”

“Hmm… as you said, I do have enemies.”

The man was sly. Tariq had to reassure Khalidwithout confirming the presence of his fiancée and the American. Hewould reveal the existence of his hostages when it would gain himthe most benefit. After the wedding, he planned to release Khalid,but not before the man understood the exact nature of theirrelationship going forward. Not until he understood who was incharge.

As for the woman and the American, he hadn’tyet decided whether to turn them over to Khalid, with the rightincentive from Khalid of course, or kill them outright. If he wentwith his preferred choice, Khalid could never know. Even amanipulative rat like him would take offense to Tariq’s eliminatinghis fiancée. Unless he preferred it to the humiliation of havingher indiscretions made public.