To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.

Freya Stark

Santi Marchesi's POV

It was only half-past eight in the morning and the grim expression on my face was now permanent. I was standing on the balcony on the second floor looking at the garden area of my house and the annoyance was emanating through my whole body.

The subject of my exasperation was my charge doing yoga on the perfectly trimmed lawn in her sports bra with matching skin-tight pants. Her bright pink hair was high up in a ponytail drawing the attention of male eyes to her toned body.

The scowl on my face deepened. Doesn't she realize that this household was filled with men? Why was she doing yoga in the middle of my garden for everyone to see?

I held the stoned baluster in my hand with a death grip while watching her doing extreme poses with deep concentration. What the hell...

I heard the smoldering laugh of Nico behind me. I pointedly ignored him as he stood next to me on the balcony. He didn't say anything and just watched the young woman on the lawn with amused interest I was grateful for his silence but I knew it wouldn't last long.

"One of the downsides of having a charge that's barely an adult," Nico commented mockingly on my side. "I see why you're having a bad day early in the morning, boss."

"Don't start with me, Niccolo," I warned darkly, still looking at the little creature in the garden. "I don't have time for your jesting. And can you tell those bastards over there to keep their eyes off James' daughter? I can see from here how they drool."

Instead of heeding my threat, the moron whistled softly sliding his gaze on me and then to my ward outside. "Noted. I see that you're turning out to be an overprotective guardian, cousin. I didn't expect that from you."

I bit back a rough curse because he was highly mistaken there was no way in hell that could be true. I chose not to correct him because it was only a waste of time and he would just accuse me of being defensive so I just remained silent.

"How's your dinner with the fine young lady last night? Was it great?" Nico queried casually beside me while looking at Haven with interest.

I shrugged nonchalantly still taking notes on who I should send to the next dangerous mission we have among my guards who were busy checking James' daughter. Didn't they know that I could see everything from here? I would gladly send them to hell right now if they didn't avert their eyes on her.

"...Santi?"

My cousin dragged me out of my dark thoughts as I was forced to focus my attention on him. I scowl formed on my face when I saw the way his eyes smiled knowingly in my direction. What's wrong with this moron today? Why does he keep looking at me like that? "It's fine," I replied recalling his last question on me.

"Just fine?" He asked indecorously, raising an eyebrow in my direction.

"Yeah. Why?"

He shook his head in disbelief as if he found my answer truly bizarre. "I thought she would be truly happy and grateful after you made sure that the head chef would cook every food that she likes. You know, an A for your effort."

I glowered in at him while I was tempted to smack his head on the stone baluster for having the audacity to say that out loud. "I didn't do such a thing, you bastard!"

My cousin hollered, holding his stomach while he was laughing like an idiot. "That's not what Ricardo told me when I had my breakfast earlier."

"I see that my chef has a loose tongue now maybe I should cut it off for him," I remarked darkly. I couldn't believe that they had the balls to gossip about me behind my back. I thought they were loyal to me I guess I need to reevaluate my beliefs.

"Don't be so harsh on the man," Nico said in response, his eyes holding devilishness on their depth that I don't like. "You have to take into consideration that it's a novelty for us everyone working for you to find it slightly adorable that you make an effort to make sure that everything that is served at the table is Haven's favorite food."

"Shut your damn mouth!" I said between my gritted teeth. "For the last time, I didn't do such a thing, Niccolo Marchesi, and never dare to breathe this to anyone if you want your head still attached to your neck in the next sunrise."

He gave me a mocked salute. "You got it, boss!"

I shook my head. I knew that he would not take me seriously even if I was the fearful boss of the Marchesi Famiglia he was still my cousin and growing up with him made us treat one another as brothers. I knew we had each other's back whatever happened.

"What do you want to do with those idiot men who were discreetly watching your ward doing some yoga?" He gestured with his thumb.

"I will deal with them," I said with a cold smile on my face.

Nico pretended to shudder. "You do know that's damn right scary when you say such a thing, right? It gives me chills in my spine when you tell me that 'you will deal with them."

I gave him a cold smile. "That's how I deal with the nuisance." I gestured my head at the woman who was busy doing yoga on the lawn. "Inform her that we'll leave in half an hour."

My cousin frowned at me. "Where are you taking her?"

"Tell her will buy clothes for her. I heard from her maid that she only had a handful of clothes in her closet. Maybe that's the reason why she's only wearing a bra while working out."

Nico burst out laughing while giving me a ridiculous look. "You sound like an overprotective father—or perhaps even a possessive boyfriend the way you sound, do you realize that?"

"What?! Don't be ridiculous!" I denied it violently. I shook my head. "I only want to buy her new clothes while she's staying here. Of course, who knows that she might need some dress during her stay here? She couldn't possibly wear such a revealing outfit every day."

There was still a mischievous glint in my consigliere's eyes. "Cousin, this is how ladies dressed these days. Haven't you noticed?"

"This is James' daughter we're talking about!"

He paused for a moment thinking of a suitable reply he even scratched his chin pretending to think then added under his breath. "As if you're previous bed partners don't dress like this."

I threw a deadly glare in his direction. "What? Are you saying something to yourself? Do you think that I can't hear you?"

He gave me a big fake smile which I didn't buy even for a minute. I knew it very well when this bastard made fun of me. "Oh, you're mistaken, boss, I am not saying anything I assure you."

I gave up with a resigned sigh, arguing with a man who wasn't scared of you was only pointless. "Whatever, fucker. Just tell James' daughter that will be leaving in half an hour. I'll wait for her in the garage."

"It would be better if you would call her on her given name, old boy," Nico called after me. "She's not just James' daughter. Her name is Haven keep that in mind in the future if you don't want to get in trouble with the lady."

I waved my hand dismissively as I went to my study room to finalize some deals and get dressed for my trip to town with my charge. At exactly thirty-two minutes later a sweaty Haven Pierce came to my side where I was waiting. She was wiping the sweat on her forehead with the white towel in her hand. "Nico said that you want to speak with me?"

My mouth twisted with distaste. Damn that man, I specifically told him to tell her about our trip I guess he was still messing with me. It seems that I need to have a word with him about this when I see him. "That's correct," I replied through my greeted teeth as I eyed her from head to toe. She's still wearing her reveal workout outfits. I guess I need to have a word with her about the way she dressed around here too. "We have some errands in town."

"What errands?"

I took a deep breath, forcing my eyes to stay focused on her face not on the swell of her breast through that sports bra or how narrow her waist was. "I heard that my men only pack a few of your clothes that's why I want to buy you some during your stay here."

"No. Thank you." She replied flatly.

I blinked at her. "What? Why?" I thought that's what most women want to hear. A free shopping spree. Usually, my current lover's eyes shined brightly when I told them to shop for new clothes under my name but I guess she was not thrilled at the idea.

"I don't need any more clothes. Those clothes they packed in my suitcase were more than enough for my entire stay here. I will just wash and wear them but thanks for the offer, though."

I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead warily. I have forgotten how stubborn this woman is when she wants to. Somehow, even if she forgot a fraction of her memories since that incident her obstinate nature was still there. "Look, you might need some dresses in the future."

She frowned at me as if I was not making any sense. "For what purpose?"

What purpose, indeed? I paused for a moment and then I shook my head slightly. "You might need to accompany me to some formal events in the future."

"What? Why?"

I exhaled a heavy breath. Why does she have so many questions today? Why can't she just do as I say and make this difficult for both of us? "As the only daughter of James Pierce, you are the only heiress for his vast fortune, of course, you need to build your reputation with your father's business partners when you have full control of his businesses."

She gave me a dry look, her bright pink hair shining under the sunlight. "You mean, you expect me to rub shoulders with organized crime members like you?"

I shrugged indifferently. "If you put it bluntly like that then you're correct."

She crossed her arms in her middle while giving me a defiant stance. That kind of position tells me that she doesn't like where this conversation is heading. "Then, that's a no-no. I am not interested in managing Dad's business let alone getting associated with mobs." She looked at me with slight irritation in her eyes. "I just want a normal life finishing my degree and then having a normal job in Los Angeles."

"What about James' business? What will happen to it if you refuse to manage it in the future? You're his heiress."

"I don't want to manage his dirty business." She replied conversationally. "I don't want to have anything to do with the money that might be tainted with several persons' blood. You can keep it if you want."

I wanted to groan out loud. She was being unreasonable and ridiculous at the same time! This discussion was getting out of hand. How could our supposed simple, hassle-free trip in town turn out like this? I waved my hand dismissively silently stating that this topic was not temporarily closed. "We'll have this conversation another time for now we need to fix your wardrobe."

"For the last time, Santi..." she said with a deep breath. "...I don't need to go shopping for new clothes with you. I am fine with the casual attires that I have."

"That will not do for me," I answered gravely, permitting myself to run my eyes at her. "You can't keep wearing scandalous outfits around here. Remember that residents here are most men you have to keep that in mind."

She stared at me with disbelief as she gazed down at her outfit. "What's wrong with the way I dressed, Mister? This is perfectly normal."

"Not for me."

"What?!" She scowled at me, her eyes snapping with fire. "You can't be serious?"

I gave her an unapologetic look. "I'm afraid that I am."

"Well, not my problem anymore." She stated defiantly. "I will dress the way I want around here. You can't boss me around. I don't care if you're a mafia boss you cannot tell me what I should wear or not."

"Madre di Dio..." I breathed out due to frustration, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Listen to me—"

"No, you listen to me. This topic is now closed. I don't want to hear from you about this ever again." She smiled brightly in my direction but I knew it was artificial. "Thank you for the offer but if I ever need a new dress I will buy that personally not you or your dirty money. Are we clear, Mr. Marchesi?"

I would prefer arguing with a man than her because if it was only a man I could easily silence him with a bullet but this stubborn woman was different! Aside from the fact that she's James' beloved child, she's also a woman and I never lay my hands on a woman ever! "I still think—"

She shook her head resolutely while looking at me straight in the eyes without flinching. "I don't want to have a debt of gratitude from you. It was already bad enough that I am living here in your house for free for the entire summer...oh wait—that's it!" she beamed at me, that kind of smile that I don't trust. "In return for letting me stay here, I will work here as one of your maids, Mr. Marchesi!"

My jaw slacked at her outrageous announcement. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Her beautiful eyes gleamed under the sunlight. "That's what I will do. I will work here in your households like some sort of summer job in exchange for free room and food for the entire summer."

I was left speechless for the first time in my life. Never in my life, did I ever think that I would reduce like this, and before I had the chance to recover from the stun reaction she already left me standing in the huge garage. "I have to go. I need to take a quick shower and ask the butler for the household chores." She threw a parting grin over her shoulder that kind of smile that's unguarded and carefree. "I'm pretty good at housework, Mr. Santi."

Fuck. Fuck it to hell! I hadn't realized that I was so mesmerized by that unexpected grin on her face that I was left staring like an idiot alone in the garage. I only noticed that I didn't have the chance to oppose her ridiculous idea when she had already gone inside the house.