Santi's Downfall

Chapter 19: The Proposition

If you make every game a life-and-death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot.

Dean Smith

Haven Pierce's POV

I stared at him in disbelief and I was not even sure if I heard him correctly. Did he just propose that we should stay for the night in Rome when we should be back in Sicily tonight? I swallowed hard, a huge part of me thought that this was not a good idea at all. "What do you mean by that?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, looking very much the devil himself. "I thought that maybe we should stay here until tomorrow noon so you can go sightseeing around the city. I heard from the maids that you mentioned before that you wish to visit the Trevi Fountain."

I moistened my suddenly dry lips. "Yes, but—"

He smirked in my direction. Does he know how sinfully handsome he is when he's doing that? That should be considered illegal. "Since we're already here it's such a shame to travel back to Sicily without visiting the famous fountain here in Rome."

"I—I don't think that's a good idea."

He frowned at me while his eyes pierce through my soul. "Why not?"

"Well, you see..." I couldn't even finish my sentence because I was only aware of how my heart was pounding loudly in my heart. It was as if there was a marching band inside my chest at the moment.

He cocked an eyebrow, his eyes were now filled with undisguised annoyance in their depth. "Why? Because you don't want me to accompany you? Because you rather want to spend the day with your friend, is that it? But he already went back to the US because of his internship."

I sighed deeply, avoiding his intense gaze. Noah went suddenly went back to Los Angeles because he was unexpectedly accepted for the internship he applied for so soon. He did not expect at all to receive an immediate call from them and it would be a shame if he would turn it down when it was a dream of his to work in that big company that's why his trip to Sicily was cut short.

"It's not like that," I answered after a moment, still unable to meet his gaze.

"Then, how is it? I'd like to know." He asked casually, tucking his arms in the middle while looking at me with forceful eyes.

I bit my bottom lip, slightly feeling embarrassed about the whole thing. "I just don't think it's a good idea since you are my guardian and going on trips with you feels like going out on a..." I was unable to finish my sentence because I felt ridiculous about my reason.

"On a what?" He demanded, but there was a small smile tugging on his lips.

I took every courage that I could muster and stared at his face. My heart nearly jumped in my throat when I realized that he was already standing too close for my comfort. "It feels like we're dating—I know that's ridiculous but people might see us together might think that way. It will be awkward for both of us!"

I thought he would understand but my lips parted in disbelief when his dark eyes shone with unholy light in their depth. "So you think that way when we're together, huh?"

"No!" I denied fiercely, eyeing him with horror in my eyes. How could he misunderstand? "You got it wrong. People might think that way. And I am sure that you don't want some rumors like that. People might talk behind your back about how you could date the woman who was left in your care by her deceased father. I am just thinking about your reputation it will be ruined by false rumors."

He chuckled sexily, the hair on my neck stood up at the sound of his sensual laugh. "You think about my reputation, Haven?" He asked hilariously. "Me? Sicily's most notorious mafia? Do you know how people throw mud in my name daily? I've been accused of so many things in the past that will probably make you faint if you hear them so a false gossip will not even make me blink."