Ascension

Chapter Twenty-Four

The compliment he made lingered in my head as I walked around the raging casino. I was flushing for a good bit, my heart racing against my chest. A man that I never believed that I would enjoy being around ever again, brought me back to life, and showed me all of the capabilities that I had.

He turned my anger around into something that I can fight for, giving me a passion to get people the help they need, and take on my father's legacy. He was the last person on earth that I thought would do this for me. He taught me when hurt came hitting you at full force, to hit it back ten times harder. He taught me that the truth is that if something is right for you, it will always bring you peace and clarity, and if it's wrong for you - it's like it had always been my entire life; it brought nothing but hurt and confusion.

I shook my head and went straight back to work, I couldn't be stuck in my head anymore. Abel had said we were against the clock. I swirled my drink and brought it to my lips, starting to walk around again. I was more focused this time. I caught some more attention from surrounding men and women. I passed the poker table, men and women throwing in their money and bets, the dealing passing them a set of cars. Each was so intent on winning and sneaking a peak at other's cards, but no one was giving me that look - that attention that I needed.

My father was always the type of person that ran off of his gut instinct, and always had the best plans in mind. He was a critical thinker and I never thought I was anything like him, until now. I turned around and found myself on the other side of the room, shuffling through other guests in order to get to my destination.

And that's when I noticed him.

A larger man, around the same size of the Slovakian man who almost had his way with me back at the other house. He sat in the booth in the back, puffing on his cigar, and smiling towards me with those shiny black and gold teeth. He had been watching me, seeing all of my moves. No, he had been admiring me.

I froze and I could feel my stomach drop slightly, my feet were faltering in their tracks. I had been looking for him, and now that I am here, I had no idea what to do. All sensible thoughts had left my mind.

He finally stood up and took large steps towards me. It had felt like the world stopped spinning, it was just him and I, and not in the good way. Everyone around us had no idea what his intentions were. I stepped backwards and he was getting closer and closer and I took too many steps back and got cornered, backing into a table. I should have turned and ran but I was scared to take my eyes off of him.

"Gavin!" I called out but he or no one answered this time. Surely, they would be watching over me. His smile turned into a sadistic grin as if I just confirmed all of his answers. He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out his pistol.

Fear, fear, fear!

"Gavin!" I yelled even louder. I reached back and blindly grabbed a utensil. I felt around and silently cursed to myself. Good job, Dani. Because a fork will definitely help you against a gun!

A loud alarm erupted in the building, ringing and starling everyone around us, but that didn't stop him from having his eyes set on me. His stride didn't hesitate for a second. Everyone in the casino started rushing out in a not-so orderly fashion, pushing and shoving, yelling and screaming at one another.

The click of his hammer brought me back into reality.

It jerked out of his hand suddenly, clattering to the floor, and blood started oozing everywhere. A hole now pierced his hand. Did he get shot? Gavin was not far behind the silent shot and hit the screaming man with the butt of his gun. One hit right in the temple was enough to knock him unconscious. He fell to the floor with a loud thud, barely audible over the fire alarm.