"Why do I need it?" I ask, my voice softer than I'd intended, fear leaching some of the stridency from my tone.

He looks over at me, his eyes hard. "The first time I met you, you had a gun. You remember, Taran? How we met out here in the desert? You knew the value of having a weapon then. Now is no different. If I become incapacitated, you'll need it to defend yourself."

I lick my lips and nod. He's right. I've come to depend on Diogo to keep me safe from harm, when the ...