Ascension

Chapter Thirty-Six

I slid the card into my new stateroom. I decided that ultimately, I needed my own space again. I needed privacy. I needed some time away from everyone and actually find some good rest. After that long, excruciating car ride back to the hotel, I realized how exhausted I was. As much as that didn't matter I'm glad I was able to prove myself just in the slightest tonight. Both Emma and I got in and seamlessly got what we needed.

There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders, so taking a bath helped relieve me. Just slightly, but I was able to regain my focus. Lucia was there tonight. Manny should be able to access the cameras and find something to lead us to where they're taking her. It's just a waiting game now.

I had two options: sit and sulk and not be prepared. Or I can rest and recover and have a straight thinking mind to get her back home.

I threw on a pair of shorts and a tee shirt after I finished washing up, and I went straight towards the bed. It was time to hit the hay.

"New room?"

I nearly peed my pants.

"How do you always manage to do this!" I hold a hand over my chest, my body tingling from the abrupt adrenaline pushing through my veins. "How did you find me?" I stared at the glorious man illuminated by the moon and city lights.

His head rolled towards me and he looked at me with that emotionless stare.

Until he cocked his brow. "I own the hotel?"

Oh yeah, I forgot.

"I'm assuming everything went well."

"Yeah, we got everything that we needed. Manny should be working on that stuff now."

He nods. "Good, good." His view is torn back towards the city. "So how come you got yourself your own stateroom?"

"I need my own space. My room had turned into a communal hang out area. Manny stays there and I think it's just for the best." I explained. "I need my own area to breathe. We can regroup when we get Lucia back."

"I meant everything that I said earlier this evening." He then says. "It was never my intention to scare you with our conversation before that."

I sigh. "Gavin."

"I want to apologize to you." He now completely faced me, looking at me directly. "I'm sorry that I scared you. I'm sorry that I put doubt in your mind. I'm sorry that I even allowed an opportunity to come between us, and now you question every promise I've made to you. This is all on me. I want you to know that I am sorry."

"I know you're sorry." I say quietly. "I think we both just need to wait until after we get Lucia back to figure out what this is between us."

He nods. "I agree."

"I forgive you, Gavin." I tilt my head towards him. "I'm not mad at you."

His shoulders drop with relief. "Thank you."

I approach him and grab both of his hands. He lets me. I peer up at him. "Tell me the truth. What were you thinking?"

His eyes search mine, every little detail of my face. He contemplated for several seconds the words he wanted to say.

"I watched how easily Lucia was taken from Nicolas, and the pain that he's in right now. The pain of knowing what those men are capable of, what those men are probably doing, and what she's enduring - those thoughts alone were enough to make me want to lock you in a room and never leave. I watched the way one of my best friend's suffered at the hands of these men. What they did to Anastasia. It's been years and he still can't process it. He is broken in the worst way possible. The years of pressure these people have put on it. It is an open wound that can't be sealed shut. And - my exhausted thoughts took over. I couldn't handle the thoughts of 'what if I was in his shoes.' What if I lost you?"