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“Do you know how to shoot?” he asked softly, placing the pistol in her palm.
“Does a bear crap in the woods?”
His eyes widened, and then he smiled slightly.
“Of course I know how to shoot. I’m a Southern lady.”
“I didn’t know Southern ladies were born with pistols in their hands.” His mirth disappeared. “Go in the bathroom, lock the door, and wait for me. If anybody else comes, shoot them.”
“Got it.” She hurried into the bathroom while he strode to the closet. She watched him pull a serious-looking A.R. off the top shelf. Oh, my. This was an even better vision than the pistol. He hefted the A.R. and looked at her. “Shut and lock the door.”
“Sorry, just admirin’ the view.”
His eyes widened, but then he smirked, tilted his chin to her, and waited until she shut and locked the door.
Aliya leaned against the bathroom door, faint and out of breath. Was that the stress of hearing those voices, the head injury manifesting itself, or that far-too-attractive man running around protecting her with no shirt on? She fanned her face with her free hand and waited in the dark bathroom. The only light came from under the door and the lamp in the bedroom.
She thought she heard voices and then maybe footsteps and then finally, finally, a tap on the door. “Aliya?”
She spun and flung the door open, holding the pistol facing down at the floor like her papa had taught her. I’d rather you blow a toe off than lose that pretty head of yours.
Curt didn’t have the A.R. any longer, but he was still beautifully shirtless.
“Everything okay?” she asked, looking into his blue gaze.
He nodded and slid the gun out of her hand. The nerve receptors in her fingers went insane from the brief touch.
“There are four guards here now, two guards inside and two outside. A pair of Ray’s trackers made it to the Austrian side of the trail system. They’re hunkering down and waiting for morning, but they think they’ve found a trail of two male-size footprints dragging something.”
Aliya gasped. “Gracie?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry.” He set the gun on the dresser and turned back to her. “Ray sent more guards to make certain we’re safe. Hopefully we’ll know more in the morning.” He looked her over. “You need to rest so you can heal.”
“I don’t know how I’ll fall back asleep now,” she admitted. “If only I could remember. It would help Ray’s men find them if I could remember, right? I mean, they could just hike right past like they’re normal hikers, not awful people earning their spot in Satan’s lair.”
“Aliya.” His voice was patient and kind as ever. “The best way for you to heal is to get some rest. That’s the best way to help you remember. Can I walk you back to your room?”
“Okay,” she squeaked out, though it wasn’t okay. She wasn’t okay. This situation wasn’t okay. Gracie was dead or dying. Aliya had the clues to rescue or avenge her in her head, but she was confused and scared and simply couldn’t think straight. It was not okay.
They walked to her room and Curt pushed open the door. She was afraid he’d escort her in and walk away, but he said, “Let me just check everywhere … not that anyone could’ve gotten in, but to make you feel more secure.”
“Bless you.” Aliya appreciated him for so many reasons. He was allaying her fears without her having to ask.
He walked across the room, navigating by the soft light in the hallway, and flipped on the bedside lamp. Aliya let the door close behind her as Shirtless Curt, a great version of this heroic and thoughtful man, checked the bathroom, closet, and even under the bed. She watched.
Curt turned to her as he stood and lifted his hands, the glorious muscles in his shoulders and arms flexing. “All clear. No bears under the bed.”
Aliya’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know about that?”
“About what?” He cocked his head to the side.
“I used to make my dad check under the bed and in the closet for bears every night when I was a little girl. He patiently did it and he also taught me how to fight off black bears, which is what we have most in the South. When I graduated high school, my best friend Sydnee Lee and I hiked the Appalachian Mountains and we fought off a black bear.”
“It didn’t hurt you?”
“No. We both went berserk throwing rocks and branches at it, and it ran away. We should’ve bought bear spray, but we were too cheap.”
He smiled at that and folded his arms across his chest. “So you’ve always loved hiking.”
