A New hope

Chapter 34-Questions After Questions

Hello everyone! So sorry for the late chapter! This scene was so incredibly hard to write. I don't think I've ever had this much writer's block. Atlas, to make up for it, I made it double the length of a normal chapter AND since so many people had interest, I will include the story of how Matteo got his scar in chapter 35. 

;) - E.R.S 

Roman-

I walk back towards the guest wing my brother and I have been staying in before something snags my eye. One of the libraries, my favorite one, doorway is slightly open. I frown, I could have sworn I closed that door last night before going to my room after my conversation with Alessio. I change direction, going to investigate, it must be one of the Ambrosi boys.

When I get closer, I hear feminine crying. Confused, I gently step into the room. "Ciana?" I say before realizing. Her head snaps up towards me. My confusion turns to concern as I see that she has tear running down her face. Her expression quickly turns to fear when she sees me. She quickly stands up from her chair and stumbles away. She's holding a book to her chest. A book that is very familiar, one I've practically memorized and studying over the years. "Fuck".

This is not good, this is exactly what we didn't want to happen. God, and of course if she waited a few more hours this all would have gone different. I gently walk into the library, not knowing how to approach this. "Ciana, it's okay". She shakes her head, stepping back with every one of mine. I stop walking, trying not to scare her. "It's okay, you're okay".

She sobs, "no it's not okay. Roman, is this true? This book?" I look towards her leery, not sure how to answer. My silence is answer enough. She throws it away from her like it has burned her. Her eyes look between me and the door, wanting to bolt. "Everything is okay, little fawn. I'm not going to hurt you. I would never. No one here would ever hurt you. I promise".

"You're...you're the keeper?" she stutters. I gently raise my hands up in a non-threatening way before nodding. She mules, stepping away from me again. "And Alessio. He's the boss?" I nod again. A sob breaks from her. "Is everything a lie? Am I even an Ambrosi?" she stutters at the name, shaking her head.

"You're an Ambrosi, little fawn. I promise. I...I need to get Alessio," I say looking between her and the door. This is incredibly out of my area of expertise, for once I don't know what to do.

"NO," she cries out before melting down one of the bookcases, sitting down, "no please don't".

"Ciana, Alessio loves you. He would never hurt you".

"He lied to me".

"He was going to tell you today. After lunch. He came to me yesterday, asking about your safety within the code. Alessio only wants to keep you safe, little fawn. He didn't tell you to keep you safe". She shakes her head, taking gasping breaths. I watch painfully as she breaks apart. I don't know what to do.

Her breaths come faster and faster and before I know it she's having a full blown panic attack. I damn it all, bringing down my hands and quickly making my way towards her. She's so into the attack that she doesn't even see me get close. I've never helped someone with a panic attack before but I remember what Giovanni would do when Tullio used to get them.

I crouch in front of her gently moving her hands from her face. She flinches away from the touch. "Breathe little fawn. It's okay. Follow my breathing. In. out. In. out," I direct her, taking deep breaths myself. Once she calms down a little I say, "What's five things you can see?"

She takes a few hiccupping breaths before answering me, "you, that chair, fi-fireplace, the window, books".

"Four things you can feel?"