“We don’t have a body, but I’m not sure how heisn’tdead,” Cole said. “They’ve been clearing away tons of debris and keep discovering natural caverns, some of which have lakes of water in them. They’ve discovered it’s like a damn maze beneath those ruins. Their efforts have been hampered by additional cave-ins, and according to Khalim, the locals aren’t too keen on risking their lives trying to find a dead American who wanted to sell their daughters.”
“Understandable.” Boone fought against the urge to sleep. “How about thegirls?”
“They’re all back with their families.” Luna propped her hip on the bed next to him. “Get this: Lucas hid them beneath one of those willow trees by the ruins.”
“Sounds like the perfect hiding spot to me.” He winked at her and rested his hand on her thigh.
Being back with her, being able to touch her after thinking he would never see her again, went miles toward making him feel better.
“What about the threat to Luna? Boone asked.
“There’s been nothing so far,” Luna said.
“We think he was fucking with you the same way he did when he had your mom send you those pictures.” Cole’s confidence helped bolster Boone’s.
“Speaking of your folks, they wanted to come see you,” Cole said. “I suggested they wait until you wake up.”
“We can call them, if you’d like.” Luna put her hand over his.
“Yeah, I’d like to do that,” Boone said.
His parents were used to him being in harm’s way, so it was only natural for them to worry about him. But they never, not once, said the words out loud. He guessed it was because they didn’t want him to be distracted.
“Udall’s photo has been shared with all of the international agencies,” Cole said. “He was already a fugitive from the US. If by some miracle hedidsurvive, he’ll have to hide from the rest of the world, too.”
“I hope you’re right.” To believe the threat to Luna was truly gone, Boone would prefer to see the man’s body but understood that might never be possible.
His primary concern was that the threat to Luna had been eradicated.
“Okay, I’m going to head out.” Cole walked around to stand next to Luna and pointed at Boone. “Get some rest, and I don’t want to see you at the compound until after your two-week follow-up. Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.” He intended to spend that time with Luna. “Thanks, Cole, for everything.”
“You’re family—it’s what we do.” He slid his phone from his pocket as he left them alone.
“Come up here.” Boone patted the bed next to him.
“Really?” She glanced toward the hallway. “Do you think it’s okay?”
“Frankly, I don’t give a shit.” After what happened, he wanted—needed—to feel her body against him.
She toed off her shoes, sat on the edge of the bed, and carefully settled in next to him.
“Is this okay? I’m not hurting you, am I?” she asked.
“This is the most comfortable I’ve been since the morning I left you sleeping in my bed.” He kissed the top of her head.
“I love you so much.” She propped herself up on an elbow, and her chin began to quiver. “When I thought you—”
“I love you, too.” He didn’t want her to have to say the words. “Now kiss me.”
She leaned close, and finally her lips were on his. He wanted to make love to her, to reaffirm their connection, but he kept it nice and easy, recognizing that his injuries and the less-than-ideal location were obstacles they couldn’t ignore.
Luna snuggled up against him.
“I’m glad he is dead.” Her hand rested on his chest, her fingers fiddled with the front of his hospital gown, and she yawned.
“Have you been here the whole time?” Boone hadn’t missed the dark circles beneath her eyes.
