Santi's Downfall

Chapter 17: Rome, Italy

When in Rome, live as the Romans do; when elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere.

Saint Ambrose

Haven Pierce's POV

"Get dressed, we're leaving."

My head snapped in the direction where the autocratic voice came from. I found the mafia boss standing behind me with his hands tucked in the middle of his chest while looking at me expectantly.

With a frown, I removed the AirPods from my ear as I stopped wiping the glass windows of his room. "I'm sorry?"

"I said we'll be leaving in half an hour. I need you to get dressed now." He repeated his command once again while looking at me as if I would do his bidding with just the snap of his fingers. Well, he was highly mistaken.

I turned my back on him and continued to clean the glass windows with the cloth rag in my hand. "I don't remember making any plans with you today. Besides, can't you see that I'm busy with housekeeping? Why don't you just bring Nico with you?"

"He can't come with us because he has other things that he needs to attend here but I need to go to this party and I need a companion for the event."

I looked at him past my shoulder with a questioning stare in his direction. "Why don't you just ask one of your women to accompany you? I'm pretty sure that they will be more than happy to go along with you with whatever kind of party you want to attend."

"That won't do." He answered with a nonchalant shrug. "I don't have time to do that so you'll do it for this job."

I grimaced while looking at him. I didn't know if I should feel annoyed by his answer because I was just his last choice. I shouldn't feel upset about it but for some reason, I was irritated. "So I am just your last-minute choice, isn't it?"

"Not really."

I threw an acid glare at him before continuing with my household chores. "Well, I am not interested. Just go and ask someone else to accompany you."

I heard him sigh loudly. "If you're not ready by half an hour from now. I will have no choice but to bring you with me dressed like that." He boldly threatened while gesturing for my sweatpants and oversized vintage t-shirt.

I breathed deeply, throwing the rag cloth on the plastic bucket with frustration. "You can't be serious? Why don't you just bother someone else instead of me? I don't want to attend parties with you. I'd rather stay here. I think I will be out of place in those glitzy gatherings."

"Half an hour, Haven. Half an hour." He stated stubbornly before disappearing into his walk-in closet leaving me staring at him in utter disbelief.

What's wrong with him today? Why he's so extra tyrannical this morning? I don't understand why he came into his mind and decided to bring me along to this party he needs to attend. I'd rather spend my day inside my room than be forced to socialize with his circle.

With an angry sigh, I picked up the plastic bucket and decided to throw the dirty water outside his balcony so I didn't have to carry the heavy bucket downstairs. I heard a few Sicilian curses and little commotions below I decided to look down and see what was happening. I saw several pairs of eyes staring back at me from the driveway with absolute bafflement.

I could feel that my blood was draining from my face when I noticed that the interior of the black Ferrari parked in the driveway was now soaked with dirty water. Holy shit...

"I never guess that you are this vindictive, Signorina Pierce."

I gasped loudly when I realized that the owner of that ultra-expensive car was now standing next to me on the balcony. "I—I...didn't mean... Oh, God, sorry!" I stammered while I could feel my blood running cold in my veins. Would it cost me arm and leg to pay for the replacement of those expensive leathers?