"That everyone's still alive and the Vipers haven't burned us to the ground?" Zay finishes. "Yeah. We're good. Val kept everything together. Even Johnson and George backed down after she put them in their place."
"Johnson and George tried something?" I ask, looking at Valentina.
She shrugs, taking a bite of sandwich to avoid answering.
"They tried to stage a vote of no confidence," Asher explains. "Valentina shut it down in about thirty seconds. It was beautiful. Jackie said she's never seen grown men look so terrified."
"I wasn't that harsh," Valentina mumbles.
"You told Johnson you'd break his fingers if he questioned your authority again," Zay says. "In front of the entire council."
"He was being an asshole," she mutters.
I find myself grinning despite everything. "That's my girl."
She flushes at the praise, and Zay and Asher exchange knowing looks that I choose to ignore.
"Anyway," Zay continues, "the point is, everything's under control. You focus on getting better. We've got the rest."
"And Talia?" I ask, because I can't let it go entirely.
The mood in the room shifts instantly. Valentina goes still, sandwich halfway to her mouth. Asher and Zay's expressions shutter.
"We're working on it," Asher says carefully.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one we have right now," he replies, meeting my eyes steadily.
I want to push, but Valentina's hand finds mine under the blanket, squeezing once. A silent plea to let it go.
So I do.
"Fine," I say. "But we're talking about this tomorrow. All of it."
"Tomorrow," Zay agrees, standing and stretching. "Tonight, you rest. Doctor's orders. Which we're actually following for once because you look like death warmed over."
"You're a real charmer, you know that?" I say dryly.
"It's my best quality," he says with a grin. Then his expression softens. "It's good to have you back, X. Really good."
"Good to be back," I reply, meaning it.
Asher claps a hand on Zay's shoulder. "Come on. Let's give them some space before the nurses kick us all out anyway."
They head for the door, but Zay pauses at the threshold. "Val? You staying?"
"Yeah," she says quietly. "I'm staying."
"Good," he says. Then to me: "Take care of her, yeah? She's been through hell."
"I will," I promise.
3
ASHER
I pullinto the Raiders compound at 5:47 AM.