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“Hades—”

“She’s okay.”

Thank fucking God.

“She’s asleep,” Hades continues. “She a had to have a second surgery a few hours ago on her shoulder, but her doctors say everything looks good.” His jaw tightens. “I doubt she'll ever be a professional leftie tennis player…” He smirks. “But she’s okay.”

I exhale slowly as I drop my head back to the pillow and stare at the unfamiliar ceiling.

Bella's okay.

Honestly, fucking nothing else matters.

Slowly, my gaze swivels back to Hades. He's looking at me with an intense look on his face.

“She’s okay because of you, you know,” he says in a low, pointed tone.

Memories begin to flicker back into my mind.

Sorel. Kodra. The single dose of antidote. Bella’s eyes slowly opening just as mine closed.

The single dose…

“How am I alive?”

Hades frowns as he leans forward, panting his elbow on his knees.

“It seems my daughter has gotten it into her head that she's in love with you.”

I grin like an asshole, despite everything I’ve been through.

Hades rolls his eyes. “You wipe that smug smile off your face, you little shit.” He leans back in the chair and smirks at me. “Yeah, I figured that out when she threatened me with my own fucking switchblade after I suggested—purely hypothetically—that we prioritize getting her the fuck out of there.”

A laugh scrapes painfully from my chest. “Leaving me behind, I take it?”

Hades shrugs. “She’s my kid, Damiano. Don’t take it personally.”

He watches me for another few moments, both of us quiet before he clears his throat.

“She does, you know. Love you, I mean.”

I grin again. Hades just fixes me with a dark look.

"So I'm gonna need to know where you stand on that. Now would be good.”

I nod slowly. “That why you were waiting for me to wake up?”

“Pretty much.”

I take a slow breath. “Is saying I’d die for her too cliche?”

My father-in-law shrugs, a small smile creeping over his face. “Kinda, but then you did die for her, so…” He lifts his shoulders again. “I'll allow it.”

“I’d do it again right now. Or tomorrow. Or the day after that.” My eyes level with his. “I’d walk through Hell for your daughter.”

He’s silent for a minute, looking like he’s weighing my words.

Then slowly, he nods.