In small towns, people scent the wind with noses of uncommon keenness.

Stephen King

Haven Pierce's POV

It had been a week since I arrived in Santi's hometown. This town was probably famous as the hometown of one of the most powerful mafias in Italy. It was still hard to believe that my father associated with the likes of him. I naively believe that Dad's money came from his hard work but the reality was most of it came from illegal activities.

So far, after my unexpected encounter with the crime lord in his bedroom, I avoided him like the plague ever since. I made sure that I never crossed paths with him from breakfast until bedtime I dodged him like a contagious disease my methodical schedule on how to evade him was almost foolproof until on the eighth day when I was sure that he already left the mansion when I decide to have my breakfast on the poolside under the shades of lemon trees because it's such I shame that I couldn't enjoy the sun for a full week now because I am avoiding the lord of this house.

I usually have my meals in the staff's kitchen hiding from the radar of my guardian. Now would be different. I heard from the head housekeeper that the boss left early for his 'work'. I didn't bother to ask what work was that but I am sure that it was one of his illegal businesses in the country.

Now that he was out I could enjoy my breakfast without worrying that I might run into him and have this awkward air around us. With a huge plate filled with sliced bread, homemade jams, cannoli, and fresh fruits in one hand while the other was holding a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice as I headed to the table near the pool to enjoy my day in style.

I devoured my delicious Sicilian breakfast letting my palate dance to this hearty food. I thought nothing could ruin my day until someone sat on the iron chair across from me. I blinked several times just to be sure that my mind was not playing tricks on me.

But why...? My mind started to ask.

"Surprised to see me?" There was a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips while looking at me with his iridescent eyes.

"What...how...I thought—?" I failed to coherently utter a simple question because I was so astounded by the fact that the person I was painfully eluding was now sitting in front of me as I enjoyed my breakfast.

"Are you avoiding me, Haven?"

"What? No!" I cursed silently when I sounded defensive even to my ears. What he's doing here? I thought that he would be out throughout the day. Did the head housekeeper deliberately lie to me? No. I saw his car leave with my own eyes through my bedroom window early this morning. So how come he was ready and bothering me now?

He sat back on his chair while looking at me with amused eyes. "No? I thought that you were evading me these past few days."

"I'm not." I lied through my teeth as I shifted in my seat because it felt like I was in the hot seat for some reason.

"Really?" From the tone of his voice, he was deeply entertained by the fact that for the second time around he caught me off guard. Damn it. I should have been more careful learning about his schedule I should not have trusted the elderly housekeeper's words and most especially not let my guard down.

I gave him a slightly forced smile. "Yes, Santi. What are you doing here, by the way? I thought you went out early for your work."

He grinned at me that kind of smile that would make even the devil look so handsome. Just like now, he decided not to shave his days' old stubble, and he gave the appearance of a sinfully attractive but dangerous man. He wiggled his eyebrow suggestively. "I instructed Nico to oversee the problem while I decide to stay home."

I frowned at his words. I thought he was the type of man who was a certified workaholic and very hands-on in his business. "And why is that?"

His thumb was playing on his lower lip as if hiding the smile that was playing on his lips. As if, I couldn't see it. "Well, I decided to stay home so I can catch the little mouse who was hiding in the corner for days now." His dark eyes lit with delight. "I knew that she would come out of hiding once she learned that the lion was away."

I don't know why but I could feel that my cheeks were starting to flame. I knew that he was about me and the way I hid from him since our little encounter. But I need to continue with my charade that I am not dodging him. I took a deep breath while closing my eyes for a moment before staring at his mesmerizing ones. "For the last time, I am not avoiding you."

"If that's the case," he said after a moment staring at me. His face held a smug look. "Then, would you join me on a trip in town, little mouse—I mean, little one?"

I gritted my teeth while glaring at him. He was here with one thing in mind and that was to annoy me for his enjoyment. "I'm sorry to turn down your offer but I am quite busy today with housework." I beamed at him brightly. "Maybe next time."

"As the owner of the house and your legal guardian, I am telling you that you need to come with me today. Refusal is not an option."

I threw a disapproving glance in his direction. "You're going to use that card on me? That legal guardian crap?"

He smiled at me unapologetically, his eyes even held laughter in their depth for some reason. His face was resting on his propped elbow above the table. "Yes."

"Where are you taking me?" I asked curiously as I started to feel that my stomach knotted at this inevitable trip with him.

"In town," he replied shortly. "I heard from Signora Rossi that you mentioned to her that you want to go sightseeing around Palermo so I am taking you there today."

I bit my bottom lip. Signora Rossi was the elderly housekeeper who was also the head of the hired help in his mansion. Maybe I shouldn't have shared with the elderly woman my desire to explore the town because I was curious to see this beautiful and historic place.

"That's what you want, right?"

"Yes, but..." I trailed off my words because, yes, I did want to see around Palermo but I wanted to do it alone and not with his company. Now he was expecting me to enjoy this trip when he was there to babysit me like a child?

"Finish your breakfast so we can go with our schedule."

My lips parted together while staring at him in disbelief. Is this guy for real? "I don't remember agreeing to your plan yet."

"Does it matter? I have already cleared my schedule for this trip and I am not giving you the chance to refuse, Haven."

I took a deep breath while shaking my head. "Are you always this high-handed? Do you always decide for the others? What if they have other plans?"

He shrugged nonchalantly as if it's not important. "I'm the boss."

As if those three words would end any argument. He was an arrogant man who thought the world would spin according to his will, well I have some news for this crime boss. I don't care if he was the most powerful man in Sicily. I need to give him a reality check that he cannot drag me around wherever he wants whenever he wants. I beamed brightly I him. "Sorry, but I have other things to do today. I cannot go sightseeing with you."

He cocked a brow while there was a small smile playing on his lips. "Do you want me to use force just like before?"

I gave him a distressed look. "You're kidding right?" I knew very well what he meant and how he dragged me from Los Angeles to Sicily despite my protest.

"I can always carry you around my shoulder when you're being stubborn, Haven." He reminded me conceitedly. "You know very well that I am true to my words and I never make threats unless I mean them."

I eyed him curiously. I still don't understand how this guy's mind works. It still puzzled me by his hot and cold behavior towards me. One moment he was this friendly guy just like now—and then the next, he was this cold and distant mafioso who had this cold anger in his eyes whenever he looked at me. "Why are doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"This..." I voiced my concern. "I know there are a lot of things that need your urgent attention so why bother to babysit me while I explore the town? Why don't you just instruct one of your men to do it for you?"

He lowered his eyes and made his long thick lashes hide the expression on his eyes. "I don't trust other men when it comes to your safety."

My eyebrows drew together. I couldn't help but wonder why he was so obsessed with my safety. It's not as if someone will come after me just because my father left me in his care. "Why not?"

"Because—" he met my curious gaze before he looked away on the other side. "—never mind, it doesn't matter."

My eyes narrowed in his direction. I knew that he was keeping something from me and the way he was unable to meet my gaze tells me that he knew a secret and I want to know what it is. "Very well..."

He nodded in my direction, his face was devoid of any emotion while looking at me. "I will wait for you in the garage in half an hour. I hope you'll be able to finish your breakfast and get dressed by then."

With that command, he abruptly stood from his chair and left me alone at the table staring at his wake with my mouth hanging open. That man has an attitude problem. I am sure of it! Once he disappeared in the manor I hurriedly finished my breakfast and went to the kitchen to wash my plate and then ran into my room to get dressed for my unwanted trip in town with that autocratic man.

At exactly, twenty-six minutes later I was standing in the car garage where he was leaning on his Range Rover while giving me a disapproving look.

"What?" I asked defensively, mimicking the way he looked at my outfit from head to toe.

"Is that what you're wearing?" He said disapprovingly.

"Yes. Why?"

"Just take a look." He sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose as if what I was wearing was immoral in his book.

"What's wrong with my outfit?" I asked irritably, I glanced at my fitted crop top, mom jeans, and white sneakers.

He glared at me as if I committed such an awful crime. "Look. The lower half of your torso is showing for everyone to see. Can you please change your clothes?"

I smiled brightly at him, placing both of my hands in the rear pocket of my denim jeans. "But that's the thing. This is the latest fashion back in Los Angeles so everything in my closet looks like this. Besides, this is how I usually dress and you cannot dictate to me what I should wear you are not my boyfriend and certainly not my father."

"If you are my woman I will forbid you to wear half-naked clothes in public." He stated darkly while his eyes were hard on me.

My breath was caught on how possessive his words sounded. I tilted my head slightly to the side. "So you are one of those jealous boyfriends given a chance?"

He smirked down at me and my breath was stuck in my throat once again. "Yes. But that will never happen since I don't do relationships, Haven. I just fuck women. Thoroughly—that is."

"I pity those women who end up in bed with you," I commented, giving him a hateful glare. "I bet they were cast aside after you get tired of them."

"That's the thing, I never sleep with the same woman twice."

"Why not?"

There was a contemptuous smile on his face. "Because they will start to be clingy after spending the night in bed with them. They will start to want something more and I have nothing to offer to them except one night of hot fucking."

"Geez. I will be surprised if you have not caught any disease by now." I remarked, throwing a judging look in his direction.

He startled me when he took a step closer to where I was standing and I automatically took a step backward to maintain a good distance from him. My heart leaped on my chest the way he was looking at me with predatory eyes. "I am very careful with my sex life, Haven. I assure you that I am clean."

"What are you doing?" I asked nervously as he continued to stalk me.

He smiled at me devilishly when I was already cornered with his body and the huge pillar in the garage. Whatever he saw in my expression pleased him immensely. "Shall we go?"

"Yes," I answered a little breathlessly, my poor heart was still palpitating from his actions. But I managed to calm my nerves as I went inside his SUV sitting next to him at the passenger's seat at the back.

Since I got here over a week ago, I have been fascinated by this beautiful city now I had the chance to explore it with my very own eyes I can't seem to enjoy every moment of it. My mind was afloat from our disturbing encounter at the garage and the way my heart beat erratically whenever he was a few feet away from me. That never happened before with the guys who flirted with me at the university. I don't know what's wrong with my heart and why it's behaving like this whenever I am in the company of Santino Marchesi.

We were traveling on the zigzag road while he was explaining to me the rich history of his hometown but I was barely listening to him when I was still wondering how on earth I was like this to my guardian.

Once we were at the heart of the town he decided that we should walk on foot from here to enjoy our scenery. How could I enjoy this trip when a mafia boss and two of his bodyguards trailing behind me like I was some sort of criminal it didn't help that people—especially the locals were giving me a weird look. They probably knew these guys and what kind of work they had.

Seriously, I was not enjoying this trip. This was not what I imagined myself when I walked on these cobblestone streets when I finally had free time from my work at his mansion. I was about to tell him that we better go home when he gripped my wrist and pulled me into this small restaurant and informed me that they served the best Carbonara. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I just had my breakfast and now he wants us to have an early lunch. As it turns out he knew the owner and he's a regular.

I nearly wept when I tasted the most delicious Carbonara that I have eaten in my life. The Carbonara back home tastes like crap compared to this divine food.

I was enjoying my pasta when his mobile phone sounded. He answered the phone call in rapid Sicilian and I could detect that it was not good news, his eyes held annoyance in their depth.

"Problem?" I asked once he ended the phone call.

"Yes." He breathed deeply, running his hand in his perfectly styled hair. "There was some problem in one of my clubs here according to Nico."

"Then you should go." I offered with a smile. "I will be fine here."

"Are you crazy? I will never leave you alone here." He said with visible annoyance in his deep voice. "I'd better bring you with me than leave you alone here—that's it! We'll continue with our tour once I sort this problem."

"I don't think..." Before I had the chance to argue he went inside to bid goodbye to the elderly man who owns this place. He even promised that we would come back next time and have a full-course meal in his restaurant. I even raised my eyebrow in his direction when he didn't correct the elderly man when he mistook me to be his girlfriend. Oh well, maybe he was just stressed with the trouble in his club that's why he didn't notice.

It wasn't a long drive when we finally arrived at the club he owns. He held my wrist once again as we went inside. "Do not ever leave my side while we're here."

I only managed to nod while following him inside. Nico immediately met us at the entrance and explained the situation to Santi. From the grim expression on his face, I knew that it was a serious matter.

"Stay here with Haven do not leave her alone." He instructed his cousin and right-hand man.

Nico nodded and Santi went into one of those private rooms leaving me in the care of his cousin. Nico smiled at me friendly. "This way, Haven."

He led me to the bar area where we sat on the stools while waiting for Santi. I was tempted to ask what the problem was but I kept it to myself because I didn't have the business to stick my nose everywhere so I just remained silent on my seat.

A moment later, someone approached and talked to him. He looked at me with a troubled expression even though I only understood a few Italian words I knew that his presence was needed somewhere. "It's okay, I will be fine here. Don't worry about me."

"But..."

I grinned at him. "I will behave here. I promise."

He was reluctant to leave me alone here but he had no choice. "I will come back as soon as I can. Just give me two seconds."

I nodded and watched him run inside the room where Santi entered. I rested my face on both of my hands while my elbows rested on the island bar.

"Fancy for a drink, Signorina?" The bartender who just arrived behind the bar counter offered with a flirtatious smile.

I started to shake my head. "I don't drink."

He didn't listen and concocted a special drink for me. "It's on the house."

I didn't want to hurt his feelings so I accepted the offered drink with a tight smile. He was friendly with me besides this was Santi's club I am sure that he just wanted me to keep entertained while his boss was busy. "Thank you."

I sampled my drinks, and at first, I didn't taste anything weird it's quite delicious, to be honest. I sip again and this time much more than my first try I could feel that I was starting to feel weird. Oh well, I finished the drink in one swig and I could immediately feel that my body was on fire and everything started to spin around me.

I have the sudden urge to strip off my clothes right here and then because it feels like my body is burning. I was barely aware of everything until I heard Nico—I think—curse roughly before I passed out in his arms.