Ascension

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ivory lace ran down the bodice in crystallized swirls, when it hit the waist it dropped to the floor in a silk navy blue. It was a beautiful a-line dress, a type of dress that specifically hit the little bit of curves that I had, how I wanted it to. A long slit ran up the leg and landed just mid-thigh. It wasn't too revealing. I wore matching white strappy heels that added to my height so the dress wasn't so baggy at the bottom.

I turned around and made sure everything looked good from behind. The back exposed my smooth, tan skin, this was a bold choice for me. I stared at the mirror and felt beautiful. I knew if my father were here, he'd say the same thing. Ms. Maddie and Mrs. Allessandra would be by my side and help me through the entire process.

I missed them.

They used to get so excited for events like this, like the charity ball. It was a night to shine for most people. They would help me with my hair and makeup, too. I knew Mrs. Alessandra would braid my hair down the sides, pulling pieces in the front and curling them to frame my face, and pull it into an updo in the back. Ms. Maddie would keep my face makeup simple, but a darker smokey eye to bring out the green of my eyes. And that's what I did, in an attempt to relive those moments.

I heard a knock at the door and it peeked open. "Dani?"

"Come in." Gavin pushed himself in. He wore the classic fitted black suit, white button down, and silver tie. His hair was combed and styled. I brushed the invisible dust off myself. "Does this look okay?"

He watches me as I stare at myself in the mirror. He opens his mouth and then closes it again. "You look as beautiful as always." He finally says. I looked anywhere but those sterling blue eyes. His facial hair was trimmed down to a stubble, it looked great against his jawline and high cheekbones. He was handsome.

He steps up to the mirror next to me, adjusting his tie at his neck. I caught the broken watch on his wrist again. "I've always meant to ask about that broken watch? Why do you wear it?"

"Oh." He glances down at it. "My mother bought it for me years ago, I broke it, but I wear it for her. It's not super significant or anything, it's just that she bought it for me."

"That's sweet. Will I ever get to meet her?"

His finger skims over the broken screen. "I don't know. Probably not. After my dad died we made sure that she was away from all of this, she didn't want to see it anymore. So we keep her... Secluded."

I nod slowly and fiddled with my thumbs. "I understand. It's no big deal."

I watch in the mirror as he reaches into his slacks pocket, pulling out something small, holding it in the palm of his hand. He turned towards me, grasping my left hand and sliding the piece of jewelry on my ring finger

"Uh..." I was at a loss for words.

"Before you sock me in the face, I just want to explain." He says quickly as my eyes narrowed in on the black diamond encrusted ring with a silver case. "So, we try to blend in with some of these business deals. We act like... Other criminal groups to get information."

"You pretend to be mobsters?" I clarify.

He nods. "Yes. And what they do is they have a ring on every woman that belongs to them. That's what they look for so they know they're not allowed to touch you. You are another boss's woman."

"How do you know that Slovakian members will be there?"

"Manny did the same thing you did last night and looked through the business owners and contractors that signed in, and would be participating in our event. He found several Slovakian surnames attending."