The sound of the door closing finally allowed Bek to let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. Zinov had left with a radiant smile, promising to bring back the best iced chocolate in the area, but the atmosphere in the room still felt strangely dense. Bek ran a trembling hand over his jaw; his skin was still stinging from the Russian's harsh grip. Why did Zinov have to be like this? So sweet one second, so terrifying the next...
A subtle vibration on the nightstand interrupted his thoughts.
Bek stretched his arm out, careful not to tug at the IV line, and picked up his phone. Jake's name was flashing on the screen. As he swiped the notification, his onyx eyes scanned his partner's words: an apology heavy with desperation, promises of his love, and the assurance that the interview had an explanation. Bek's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to reply, he wanted to scream at him to come back, but the weight of doubt and physical exhaustion made him second-guess his every emotion.
