The Italian Mafia

Chapter 18

Emma

I woke up drenched in sweat.

He would've killed me. He shot me. He had a gun pointed at me, and he actually shot me in the leg.

I felt panic rush through my body, and all I wanted was to get out. Get out of my bed that I had been lying in for a whole week.

My legs were weak for not being used, and I could barely stand. That was how it was each time I had to leave my bed, like going to the bathroom and stuff. That was pretty much the only thing I left my bed for.

The shot drummed in my ears, and I felt like I was being shot again and again.

Everything hurt and I felt trapped in my body and in my room. I needed to leave my room, needed to get out of here.

With weak legs, I walked out of my room. I was in pajama pants, a tank top, and a think robe. I tightened the robe, and closed the door after me.

The hall was already much cooler, and I physically felt the temperature fall in my body.

I walked through the maids' hall and into the entrance hall. I didn't know where I was going; I was just walking as well as I could. This was by far the longest I had walked in this whole week.

I scratched my cheek and noticed it was wet. I was crying and I hadn't even noticed. I could still hear my blood beating from my heart, and wind in my ears.

I was having a panic attack.

I had to touch the wall to stop me from falling, partly because I was freaking out and partly because my legs were wobbling.

I stopped in front of a door.

Ambrogio.

I had somehow managed to get my body up the long flights of stairs, and I had done it without even noticing. My body had just taken me here without my brain registering it.

I opened the door into his hallway. Everything was dark, and I knew it was probably late at night since even he weren't up.

I knocked on his door, my breaths heaving for air. I felt so tired I could pass out right in front or his door.

In moments, his door was opened, and Ambrogio was only in sweatpants with a confused face looking at me.

"Emma?"

"I can't breathe... I keep hearing gunshots. I see his face. He was about to kill me. I wanted it," I heaved out. I clutched the fabric over my heart and tried to catch my breath, but I just couldn't.

"You've walked all the way here? You should be in bed, Emma," Ambrogio said in a desperate voice.

I looked up at him, and he pressed his lips together.

"You're just having an anxiety attack," he said and then put his arm around, hoisting me up and walked to his bed. He put me down, and I was grateful since the walk here was killing my leg.

"I know," I got out. He touched my cheek, and the affection surprised me. I had no idea why I was here, but I knew I had walked myself all the way here when I was panicking. He brought me some comfort, and that was what I needed. "Help me."

"I can't help you, Emma. You need to calm down yourself. Focus on your heart rate. Try to relax and take deep breaths." He walked to his bathroom and came right back out with a wet cloth. He laid it on my forehead and the cool feeling helped me relax.

He was now stroking my arm up and down while looking focused on the cloth. From my laying position, I could see my chest going up and down.

I reached out and grabbed his upper arm lightly. It helped me take one large breath that let me stop gasping for my every breath. It calmed my heart a little.

Ambrogio's eyes found mine. With his hand with the cloth on my forehead, we were close together. His face was so close I saw the few freckles on the bridge of his nose.

At that moment he didn't seem so intimidating. He didn't seem so much like a monster. He looked more like the man that had helped me calm down.

"Emma," he said. I didn't answer. "Non dovremmo..."

"What?" I asked quietly. He sighed.

"We shouldn't.... Ambrogio," he said to himself and then made an upset sound. He seemed like he was trying to snap himself out of something. His face hadn't moved away from mine though.

He looked so torn, so confused.

"Ambrogio," I said. The mood was tense, and our faces were just as close as before. I felt something in my stomach and I didn't know if I was upset or glad about this situation.

Ambrogio didn't give me time to think as his lips connected with mine. I was so shocked I couldn't even move.

Our lips were just pressed lightly together. No one moved. I had closed my eyes, and his gentle lips on mine spread warmth in my body. Or maybe that was just the situation?

He pulled away. We both opened our eyes, and his didn't show what I had expected. I had expected them to be stern, angry. But that wasn't what met me. He was amused, sweet looking.

I had this urge to touch his cheek, so I did. He pulled backwards, away from my touch.

"Are you afraid of me touching you?" It flew out of me. For a second, he pressed his brows together, but they loosened up again.

"No, dolce. I'm just confused. This wasn't supposed to happen, yes?" I nodded.

I agreed.

"You need to sleep." I once again agreed. The only think I could do was nod. He left my space and walked to the other side of the bed.

He was sleeping next to me? Was this my cue to leave?

"Should I leave?" I whispered.

"No," he whispered.

"Okay."

I tried to get under the comforter as comfortable as I could without moving around too much. I didn't want him to find me annoying for some reason.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, my leg just hurts a little." The room went quiet.

"Do you want some pills?"

"What?" I laughed nervously. I hadn't expected him to take drugs, and I was repulsed by the thought.

"Advil. Pain killers?" he offered. I mentally face palmed myself.

"Oh, yes, thank you." He said something under his breath and reached to his nightstand. He gave me two small pills.

"Do you maybe have some water?" He handed me a half filled glass. I looked at him.

"It's my water. Does it matter, dolce?" I could be wrong, but it seemed like he lifted his brows teasingly.

I simply shook my head and downed the pills with water. He seemed pleased and we both lied down once again. I felt a little nervous, but I tried to sleep. I was so tried that it wasn't too hard.