“Zaki,” Kasra hissed, touching his arm. “We talked about this.”
The man locked his gaze on Range. “Why would I help you leave this country when you are taking my Kasra away to give her to police? That is no life for her!”
“Zaki,please. I do not need you—”
“Tss!” He shook two fingers to silence her. “I will have his answer.” He jutted his bearded chin at Range. “Why? Why should I help?”
“Zaki, stop!” She stood up, then looked at Range. “Ignore him. I will—”
“No, it’s okay.” Range felt the testosterone war and was unable to resist. “We can handle this like men.”
She faltered, then hurried from the room.
Range trailed her with his gaze. Was she upset? Should he go after her? He rose.
“Give her some privacy after all you have caused her.”
“After allIcaused?” Jaw clenched, Range sat back down.
Zaki gave him a fierce look. “You arrested her.”
“My team and I were tasked with bringing her in for questioning.”
“You interrupted her plan to help free all the girls!” His voice sounded strained. “Why would I do anything for you? Now, the girls are in American custody somewhere—with my brother.”
Why hadn’t he seen it before? The eyes ... a dead giveaway. “Razam.”
The man inclined his head. “My mother has been ill since his arrest was made known and Kasra captured.”
Why would the man’s mother be ill over Kasra’s arrest? Okay, wait. This … this … “Kasra … She’s fromhere…?”
As if he seemed to realize he’d given something away, Zaki gave a small, stiff nod.
Kasra was from this village. It explained why she knew so much. Knew this man so well. But what did that mean? There was something here, something he couldn’t put his finger on …
The man lifted his downcast eyes. Challenge added to the grim set of his jaw. “Do you care about her?”
Staring at the guy who seemed to be drowning in guilt about something, Range wasn’t going to play this game. Or answer that question. Mostly because he couldn’t figure out what to say.
“Kasra ask me to do this thing—and I could lose my job. My home. For her? Yes! I would help with my dying breath. But you?” He touched his temples, then flicked his hands outward in exasperation. “Pfft! I do not know why she would help you.”
“You would sacrifice your livelihood, the means to providing for yourself and your mom … for a woman who ran a brothel.”
Daggers shot from Zaki’s eyes. “You do not know what you speak of!”
“No, I really do. I was there. Where she lived. Selling girls, herself—”
“Augh!” Zaki pitched himself at Range. They tumbled to the stone floor as the man pounded at him.
Wound screaming from the impact, Range struggled to subdue the man. Flipped him onto his stomach. Put a knee in his back. Held his hand hooked up and behind. “Enough!”
The man began trembling. Sobbing. “It is my fault.” He banged his head against the stone. “All my fault that she was sold to them!”
Stunned, Range shifted back. Holding his side, he found his chair. Dropped onto it in disbelief. “What do you mean?”
Dragging himself up against the wall, Zaki cried. “I wanted to marry her, but Razam asked our father for her. I was so angry and did not want my brother to have her. So, I told her brother, Dawud, he could solve their money problems if he sold her. I meant to me!” He beat his chest. “To me!” Sobs wracked the man’s body. “I loved her, would have taken care of her. Provided for her. But Dawud heard of traders … and Kasra was gone.”
Sold. She had beensold.Shehad been sold. Like a used car. Cattle.
