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“No, it wasn’t weird at all.” She looked down at her hands and he knew she was struggling to put into words the same thing he was thinking. “It was actually quite nice. We walked around a fire seven times, threw stones in the water, there was this excellent feast, and Slash even danced.”

When all eyes turned to him in surprise, he deadpanned, “And Lexi passed out from smoking the ceremonial pipe.”

Everyone burst into laughter, and Lexi threw him a look that was equal parts adorable and annoyed.

“So, you aren’t really married, then,” Natelli said.

“We’re married in the eyes of the tribe,” he clarified. “And, I suppose, in the eyes of each other.”

The smile that blossomed across Lexi’s face warmed his heart.

“But not legally,” Natelli persisted.

Before he could reply, Lilith broke in. “Let me get this straight, the natives really thought Lexi was one of the descendants of a legendary race of warrior women?”

“They really did,” he answered. “That’s why they abducted her.”

“A tribal kidnapping by a previously uncontacted tribe,” she said, studying Lexi. “That’s the first I’ve ever heard of anything like this. It’s beyond fascinating. Maybe we could talk about it at greater length someday.”

“Sure,” Lexi said. “Someday. But now, we have to talk about reviving the vaccine trials. That’s our most important focus at the moment. We’re all on board again, and we want to get things up to speed.”

“Are you sure?” Lilith said. “You’ve all been through a traumatic experience. It doesn’t feel right asking you to stay.”

“I’m staying.” Lexi looked over at him to confirm. “Slash and I arebothstaying. After experiencing tribal life, we really want to continue this important project for them.”

He nodded. “We’re both committed to seeing this through, Lilith.”

“Me, too,” Salvador said.

Lilith’s expression indicated genuine appreciation. “I don’t know how to thank you. But what about Vicente? We can’t proceed without him.”

“He told me he’ll be here sometime tomorrow.” Slash moved closer to Lexi and slipped his arm around her. She looked ready to fall asleep on her feet. “The show will go on. But for now, we need some sleep, so we can get caught up on everything we missed while we were gone.”

“Of course,” Lilith said. “I’m sorry we’re bombarding you with a million questions.”

“No problem. It’s completely understandable,” he answered.

“I’ll need to check in with my team in New York first thing in the morning to see what’s been going on while I’ve been gone,” Lexi said. “Does anyone know if a break-in has happened?”

“Tim hasn’t said anything,” Lilith said. “But you should check with him yourself in the morning. Please, get some rest. It can wait. I cannot express how grateful we are that you’re back safe and sound.”

“We’re grateful, too,” Slash said.

He steered Lexi out the door and toward the women’s barracks. “To bed with you, woman. You look like you’re about to collapse.”

“At least I took a little nap,” Lexi said. “What about you? You’ve got to be dead on your feet.”

“Pretty close to that. I’m headed to bed, as well. Unfortunately, it’s a bed other than yours.”

These past few days had reminded him how much he hated sleeping without her. He missed how she always kissed his forehead before setting her head on his chest and falling asleep, her hair spread across him and the pillowcase. Sometimes he’d stroke her hair while they talked themselves to sleep. She was the best sounding board he’d ever had. When she wasn’t there, the quiet was a cold and silent reminder that she was missing from him. Even though she hogged the blankets, put her cold feet on his legs and slept like the dead, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He loved her so fiercely that sometimes it defied even his own logical thinking.

She slid her hand into his and they bumped shoulders as they walked. “That really stinks, but hopefully it isn’t for too much longer.”

“It better not be, because I really don’t like being away from my wife.” He marveled at how easy the words fell from his lips.

She squeezed his hand and gave him a smile that lit up even the darkest parts of his heart. God, how he loved her. “Me, neither, Slash. Hopefully, it’s only for a few more days.”

“It’ll still be a few days too many. Good night,cara.Ti amo.”