The bathroom door opened, and he turned to see Shakeela enter the bedroom wearing a mauve bathrobe and a white towel wrapped around her head. “I feel almost human again,” she said. “It feels good to be free of that hijab.” “It makes you very alluring,” he said, watching her cross the room. “Why don’t you try wearing one for a while and see how alluring you feel?” “I’ll pass. Besides, I can’t find one in my color.” “How about a burka? They come in black—your favorite.” He grinned and waved his hand. “I think—” Someone knocked on their door. He quickly crossed the room, hand at the small of his back where he’d tucked a black Smith & Wesson M&P .40 caliber handgun, one of Frank’s gifts he received earlier today. Slowly opening the door, he saw Alena and Max.
