Underworld Submission (book 1)

Broken Vows

The hospital room was a stark contrast to the chaos of the warehouse. Soft, sterile lighting bathed the room in a clinical white, casting long shadows over the walls. Adrian walked in with a hesitant step, the weight of his emotions nearly too much to bear. In his hands, he held a bouquet of white flowers, their delicate petals a stark contrast to the raw pain in his heart.

He placed the flowers carefully in a vase on the small bedside table beside Dom's bed. The room was filled with the quiet hum of medical equipment, the steady beep of a heart monitor serving as a reminder of just how close Adrian had come to losing Dom.

Adrian's eyes drifted to the framed photographs on the bedside table—pictures of Dom in moments of unguarded happiness, his smile a beacon of warmth and strength. It was these images that made the reality of the situation hit Adrian harder than anything else. He had never imagined he'd see Dom like this, lying unconscious, his life hanging in the balance after the confrontation with Elias.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Adrian's resolve broke. He sat in the chair beside the bed, burying his face in his hands, tears streaming freely down his cheeks. He tried to stifle the sobs, but the effort only made them come harder, wracking his body with the depth of his grief and relief. He had nearly lost Dom—forever. The very thought was unbearable.

"You act like I died."

The soft, familiar voice cut through Adrian's tears. Startled, Adrian looked up to see Dom propped up on the pillows, his voice weak but laced with the dry humor Adrian had come to love. His eyes, though bloodshot and tired, still held that glimmer of warmth that Adrian had fought so hard to protect.

Adrian's emotions flared anew, a mix of relief and frustration. "Damn it, Dom! You nearly did! You risked everything—your life, my life—everything just for this twisted vendetta of yours. You almost left me forever!"

Dom tried to smile, though it came out more as a grimace. "I didn't exactly plan on getting shot, you know."

"Don't make excuses!" Adrian snapped, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and anguish. "You could have been killed. You have no idea what it was like, seeing you lying there. I thought I'd lost you. And all for what? To prove a point to your brother?"

Dom's expression softened, the humor draining from his eyes. "Adrian, I—"

"No," Adrian interrupted, his voice breaking as he fought to control his emotions. "No more excuses. I was terrified, Dom. I can't lose you. Not like that. Not when we've just started to figure this out."

Dom reached out a hand, his fingers trembling slightly. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I didn't realize the risk... until it was too late."

Adrian took Dom's hand, his touch gentle but firm. "You're not allowed to do that again. You can't just throw yourself into danger like that and expect me to sit by and watch. I love you, and it scares the hell out of me every time you put yourself in harm's way."

Dom's eyes softened, a hint of tears glistening in his gaze. "I know. I promise I'll be more careful. I just—"

Adrian shook his head, tears still streaming down his face. "No more promises. I need you to be here, Dom. For us, for our future. No more risking it all."

The room was quiet for a moment, the gravity of the conversation sinking in. Adrian's anger slowly ebbed away, replaced by the profound relief of having Dom alive and by his side. The air was filled with an unspoken understanding and a deep, emotional connection that had been forged in the heat of battle and the crucible of fear.

As Adrian held Dom's hand, the two of them shared a moment of profound silence, each coming to terms with the fragility of their situation. Adrian's tears finally subsided, replaced by a resolute determination to face whatever came next, as long as they faced it together.