Page 72 of Death Valley

“It’s fine,” I say, keeping my voice neutral. “I don’t mind third watch. Means I can get some sleep in before.”

Red yawns dramatically. “Well, if I’ve gotta freeze my ass off on watch, might as well get it over with. Come on, Hank. Let’s make a round of the perimeter, check on the horses.”

They bundle up and head outside, rifles at their sides, the door closing behind them with a solid thud. Jensen immediately crosses to the window, peering through the curtains to watch them go.

“You still don’t trust him,” I observe quietly, moving to stand beside him.

“Trust is a luxury in these mountains,” he replies, gaze fixed on the darkness outside. “Especially after what happened last night.”

Especially after your lies, I can’t help but think. I keep that to myself.

Time both seems to slow and speed up and it’s not long before the hot chocolate I drank with dinner is coursing through me.

I sigh and get up from the couch, slipping on my puffer coat and knit cap. By now, Eli and Cole have retired to the loft, leaving just the two of us, even though I should be getting sleep as well.

“Where are you going?” Jensen asks, getting to his feet, the line between his brows deepening.

“I need to go pee,” I tell him. “Can’t hold it forever.”

“You’re not going out there alone,” he says gruffly.

I can’t help but bristle. “If you think you’re escorting me to the bathroom, you’re sorely mistaken. I’ll be fine.”

Although, I don’t quite believe that either.

“Plus, Hank and Red are out there,” I add.

He seems to relent, just a little. “I’m still going.”

“No,” I tell him. Then an idea crosses my mind. I hold out my hand. “Give me your gun.”

“What? I’m not giving you my gun.”

“Why not?”

“You don’t know how to use one.”

I stare at him, surprised he’s come to that conclusion, though I guess that means he hasn’t suspected my true profession. “How do you know? I’m a damn good shot,” I tell him. “My daddy taught me.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” he says.

But I still wiggle my fingers at him. “You have to give me your pistol or your rifle, I can shoot with either.”

He studies my face and eventually relents when he sees how serious I am. “Fine.” He takes his pistol and hands it to me. The weight of it is so heavy compared to my gun and the grip feels funny, grooved in places to match Jensen’s hand, but for the first time since I started this journey I don’t feel entirely defenseless. I feel powerful. Which is something I never thought I’d feel, considering how cautious I am with firearms. I’ve rarely had to handle them in action and I’ve never killed someone. But now, I feel closer to equal footing with these men.

And whatever monsters might lurk outside.

“You sure you can handle that?” he asks, eyes volleying between my face and the gun.

I grin at him, adjusting my grip. “Oh yeah. Be right back.”

I unlock and open the door, stepping outside. It’s not storming out but there’s a light breeze and snow is beginning to fall. I hear laughter in the distance, Hank and Red, and the snort of a horse. So far so good.

I pull out my flashlight from my coat pocket and do a sweep of the snow.

Eyes glint at me.

I gasp, about to raise the gun, when I realize it’s Angus the mule in the distance.

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