morning."
Ricori's searching gaze had never left me. He said:
"Why not sleep here? Would it not be safer for you?"
I succumbed to a wave of intense irritation. My pride had been hurt enough by my behavior with the
doll-maker and the manner she had outwitted me. And the suggestion that I hide from her behind the
guns of his men opened the wound afresh.
"I am no child," I answered angrily. "I am quite able to take care of myself. I do not have to live behind a
screen of gunmen-"
I stopped, sorry that I had said that. But Ricori betrayed no anger. He nodded, and dropped back on his
pillows.