The trail opens up ahead. The men are less than a mile back, close enough to pick us off. Especially with the scopes theyd tooled on their Dragunov SVDs.
So what are we going to do?
Take cover, wait them out. Hope they give up and turn around.
Her grip tightened on his waist. And if they dont?
Then he had a hell of a problem.
Refusing to think about that possibility, he urged the horse through the rocks and grass toward a pile of boulders above the trail. The wind gusted again, a cool, moisture-laden breeze that flattened the tall clumps of straw-colored grass.
He studied the rain clouds stacking up behind the peaks. A storm would hit by nightfall, he decided, the first of the season. He was going to have a hard, muddy trek through the mountains in the freezing rainassuming he made it to the pass in time.
His gut tightened. Hed better make it. A lot of miners needed the income from that run. The starvation rate in these hills was already too damned high.
They reached a small grove of eucalyptus trees behind the boulders, and he reined in the horse. This is good. He helped Dara dismount, then swung to the ground beside her. He pulled out his rifle, ratcheted a bullet into the chamber, nodded toward the rocks overlooking the trail. Well wait over there.
Shouldnt we stay in the trees?
I want to know if they spot us. Well leave Rupper here, though, so he doesnt tip off the mules.
Rupper? Her gaze met his. Is that your horses name?
Yeah. Rupe. Rupper. He took out an extra magazine, slid it into his pocket, checked the position of the 9mm Imbel tucked into his jeans.
Butthats a Romani word. Silver. Are you Roma?
Half, he admitted, and his gaze met hers. So she was a Gypsy. It made sensethat long, black hair, the exotic eyes. But then what was she doing out here? He hadnt been raised in the culture, but even he knew single women didnt travel aloneespecially beautiful women like her.
At least he assumed she was single. He turned away, headed to the pile of boulders above the trail. She hadnt mentioned a husband, didnt wear a ring. She could be a widow. The Roma married youngtoo damned young. And this woman had to be in her late twenties, at least.
He reached the boulders, glanced back, watched as she sauntered toward him. And she was a marvel to watch. Her full breasts swayed, her hips swiveled like an invitation to erotic bliss. Loose strands of hair tumbled around her face, making him ache to free that silky mass, feel it sweep his chest, his thighs.
Her skin had been soft, smooth when he touched her jaw, and the memory of it flashed through his nerves. He tightened his grip on the gun, fighting the urge to reach for her again, to test the weight of her breasts.
He sucked in his breath, hissed it out. She was something, all right. No wonder those renegades hadnt given up yet.
But single or not, she was none of his business. Shed asked for his help, and hed refused. End of story. Now he just had to drop her off at that village and be on his way.
And keep his hands off her until he did.
He leaned over the boulders, spotted the dust rising on the trail. Theyre still a few minutes back. He lowered himself to the ground, leaned against the rocks to wait. Dara sat down beside him.
She drew her gun from her bag, settled back against the rock, mimicking him. He eyed the small pistol in her hands. You know how to shoot that thing?
I do all right.
All right doesnt cut it out here.
She lifted her chin, and her sultry eyes met his. Dont worry. I can defend myself.
Right. Like you did in the bar?
A flush climbed up her cheeks. I was caught off guard. It wont happen again.
Damn right it wont. Because shed be back to civilization before nightfall. Hed make sure of that.
Im serious about the dangers, he told her, in case she had plans to continue alone. These mountains are filled with outlawsdrug runners bringing down coca leaves, ex-revolutionaries, Shining Path and Túpac guerrillas with nowhere else to hide. And the law doesnt mean squat out here. Strength rules, bribes pay for silence, no matter what youve done. Even murderers walk free.
Especially if theyd only killed a Gypsy.
His belly clenched. And before he could block it, the frustration and rage surged backrage at the corruption, the injustice, at a world where money ruled, where no one cared, where the innocent always died. But he dragged in air, forced the painful
past from his mind. This wasnt the time to dwell on his dead wife.
Then there are wild animals, pumas, he continued. No doctors, no clinics, not even a Quechua shaman for miles. Even a minor injury or infection can do you in. And those tombs you want to see are at sixteen thousand feet. Youd be lucky to survive the thin air.
Her eyes met his. You survive out here.
Ive spent most of my life in these hills. You havent. He held her gaze, making sure she understood. Im not kidding, Dara. A woman like you doesnt belong here.
How do you know? Her chin lifted in challenge. You dont know anything about me.
He knew enough. And he wouldnt hang around to find out more.