Azalea stepped into the hallway and quietly shut the door behind her. She leaned against the wall and let out a sigh, feeling the ache in her shoulder as the pain meds began to wear off.

But she didn’t mind.

Zayden was alive, her parents were here, and Aylin was being welcomed. Everything was...

"Azalea."

She looked up and saw Leo and Reyes standing about fifteen feet away, both still in their tactical gear, looking dirty and wiped out, but they were here.

Leo walked over first. "How’s he doing?"

"Stable. Unconscious, but stable. The doctors say he’ll be okay," Azalea replied.

Leo nodded, relief clear on his face. "That’s good. Really good."

Reyes hung back a bit, observing. Azalea’s eyes met his, and they held the gaze for a second before Reyes looked down.

Azalea smiled a little, finding the moment interesting.

Just then, the door to room 502 opened, and out came Enzo and Isabella. They immediately spotted Leo and Reyes.

Enzo frowned. "Who are they?"

Azalea straightened up. "Mom, Dad, this is Leo."

Leo stepped up and extended his hand. "Mr. Virelli, Mrs. Virelli, it’s a pleasure."

Enzo shook his hand firmly. "You know my son?"

Leo hesitated, glancing at Azalea. She gave a tiny nod.

"We work together sometimes," Leo said carefully. "In business. He’s a good man."

Enzo studied him for a moment before nodding. "He is."

Isabella then looked at Reyes, who was still standing back, quiet.

"And you?" she asked gently.

Azalea answered, "This is Reyes. He’s a friend of Aylin."

Reyes met Isabella’s eyes. "We came to check on Zayden."

Isabella smiled kindly. "That’s really sweet of you."

Azalea noticed Reyes’s jaw tighten when Isabella smiled at him, the way he shifted his weight, definitely uncomfortable with the attention. She couldn’t help but find it a little cute.

Leo cleared his throat. "We won’t be here for long. We just wanted to check in on him."

Enzo nodded. "He’s doing okay, thanks to everyone here."

Leo didn’t respond.

Isabella glanced over at Azalea. "We’re sticking around the hospital until he wakes up."

Azalea agreed. "I’m staying too."

"You really need to rest," Isabella said. "And you should get that shoulder looked at."

"I already saw a doctor. I’m fine."

"Azalea—"

"Mom, I’m not going anywhere."

Isabella sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to win this one.

"Alright. But you have to get some rest. In a real bed. I’ll get a room set up for you."

Azalea smiled. "Thanks."

Leo looked at Reyes. "We should head out and let the family have some time."

Reyes nodded along.

But just before they could leave, Azalea called out.

"Reyes."

He turned to her.

She smiled. "Thanks for everything tonight. You really saved lives."

Reyes’ expression softened a bit. "I was just doing my job."

"Still, I appreciate it."

He nodded and looked away.

But Azalea noticed a little blush creeping up on his cheeks, and her smile grew wider.

Leo caught on, too, and smirked, fully aware of what Azalea was up to. She was testing the waters to see how Reyes would react, and he definitely was responding, even if he didn’t want to admit it.

Leo gave Reyes a friendly nudge on the shoulder. "Come on, let’s clean up a bit."

They headed down the hallway toward the elevators.

Azalea kept an eye on them as they left, especially on Reyes.

Isabella noticed and raised an eyebrow. "The quiet one?"

Azalea blinked and looked at her mom. "What?"

"You were checking him out, the one named Reyes."

"I was not—"

Isabella smirked knowingly. "You totally were. And he was checking you out too when he thought no one was watching."

Azalea felt her face get warm. "Mom, come on."

"I’m just saying he seems nice. Polite."

"We barely know each other."

"That can change."

Enzo looked back and forth between them, confused. "What’s this about?"

Isabella patted his arm. "Nothing, sweetie. Just some girl talk."

Enzo frowned but didn’t ask for more.

Azalea shook her head, trying to hold back a smile.

Her mom was impossible, but maybe she wasn’t wrong.

Reyes had definitely been watching her. She noticed. And maybe...

Maybe that was worth thinking about later.

After Zayden woke up. After the crisis was over. After she could think clearly again.

For now, she just needed her brother to be okay. Everything else could wait.

Isabella looked at the door to room 502. "I really need to go back in. Aylin can’t be alone."

Enzo nodded. "I’ll hang out here and make some calls. I’ll let everyone know Zayden’s doing okay."

Isabella gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and went back inside, leaving Enzo and Azalea in the hallway.

Enzo turned to his daughter, really noticing her. He saw the bandage on her shoulder, the tiredness in her eyes, and the blood on her clothes.

"You were there," he said softly. "You saw him get shot."

Azalea nodded. "I was inside but heard everything. I ran out. He was already down. Aylin was—" Her voice broke. "She was screaming and holding him. There was so much blood, Dad. I thought... I thought we lost him."

Enzo pulled her into a hug, careful with her shoulder.

"But you didn’t lose him. He’s still here. Still pushing through."

Azalea buried her face in his shoulder and finally let herself cry.

All the fear, terror, and helplessness spilled out.

Enzo held her tight and whispered, "He’s going to be okay. Our lion is going to be alright."

Azalea nodded against his chest, really wanting to believe it.

*****

Leo and Reyes stood quietly as the elevator went down.

Finally, Leo spoke up. "She’s into you."

Reyes kept his gaze away. "Who?"

"You know who. She was looking at you and smiling."

"She was just being nice." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Leo laughed. "That wasn’t just being nice. That was interesting."

Reyes clenched his jaw. "Drop it."

"Why? She’s beautiful, smart, a doctor, and probably single. Clearly interested, too."

"She’s Zayden’s sister."

"So?"

"That makes it messy."

Leo shrugged. "Everything’s messy. Doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it."

The elevator hit the ground floor, and the doors slid open. They stepped out, but Reyes paused and gave Leo a look.

"Even if she’s into me, and even if I was interested, which I’m not saying I am, this isn’t the right time. Zayden almost kicked the bucket, Aylin’s falling apart, and the family’s in chaos. I’m not going to—"

"I get it," Leo jumped in. "You’re being considerate and waiting for the right moment. That’s smart."

He took a beat and added, "But don’t take too long."

Reyes raised an eyebrow. "Why’s that?"

"Because someone else might make a move."

Leo turned and walked off, leaving Reyes lost in thought. He thought about Azalea, her smile, the way she looked at him, and if Leo might be onto something. He shook his head.

Not now. Not yet. But maybe someday.

*****

Isabella was sitting next to Aylin, both glued to Zayden, waiting for him to wake up.

Isabella broke the silence. "So how long have you been dating?"

Aylin looked over. "A few months. Not long at all."

"But it’s serious," Isabella pointed out.

"Yeah," Aylin said quickly.

Isabella smiled. "That’s great. He needs someone who’s in it for the long haul, someone who isn’t going to bail on him."

"I’ll never bail on him," Aylin said fiercely.

"I believe you." Isabella reached over and squeezed her hand. "Welcome to the family, Aylin."

Tears filled Aylin’s eyes again, but this time they were happy ones.

"Thanks."

On the bed, Zayden’s fingers twitched a little, barely noticeable, but Aylin caught it.

She leaned in closer. "Zayden?"

His eyelids fluttered.

Isabella stood up. "I’ll go grab the doctor." She rushed out.

Aylin leaned in and held his hand tight. "Zayden, can you hear me? It’s Aylin. I’m here. You’re safe, and you’re going to be okay."

His eyes opened slowly, a bit unfocused at first, but then he found her face.

His lips moved, and his voice was barely a whisper. "Aylin."

She smiled through her tears. "Yeah. I’m here. Right here."

"You... okay?"

"I’m fine."

"Good."

His eyes started to close again.

"No, no, stay awake. The doctor’s coming. Just hang in there with me."

He made an effort to keep his eyes open and looked at her.

"Love you," he said.

Aylin laughed and cried at the same time. "I love you too. So much."

Then the door burst open, doctor, nurse, and Isabella came rushing in.

The doctor moved to the bedside. "Mr. Virelli, can you hear me?"

Zayden nodded weakly.

"Good. You’re doing really well. The surgery went great, and you’re on the road to a full recovery. But you need to rest and let your body heal up."

Zayden nodded again. His gaze found Aylin and stayed locked on her.

She smiled and mouthed, "I’m not going anywhere."

He smiled back and then closed his eyes, not from pain or passing out, but from feeling at peace, because he was safe. His family was right there, Aylin was with him, and he was going to be alright.

The lion would roar again.