[Ralph’s POV] 1.08 p.m. I was sprinting through the dense foliage. The air was getting cold and damp. The smell of blood was getting stronger. Bloodshed is normal to those who bear the name Virtus—we are descendants of the military. Taking the lives of others has been woven into our history. In the past, we did it for the country and our honour. Since my grandfather, we did it for power and wealth. We do not possess the gift of calculation, so we couldn’t accumulate wealth as fast and as vast as the Luxes. So grandfather decided that we use what we’ve been good at and take them by force. A twig broke. I snapped back into the forest. Swiftly, I slid behind a tree that was large enough to hide me, and waited. People who aren’t used to the smell of blood would think that it’s rust. Because they smell almost similar. But we call this place the Grave Yard for a reason—most of father’s (and perhaps, grandfather’s) enemies and their families were executed here and then burnt to
[Ralph’s POV] I flipped through the pages till the last one and exhaled a defeat. A pen shot into my view. I stared at it briefly to suppress my rage then snatched it over. With another exhale of resignation, I removed the cap and placed the tip of the pen just above the dotted line—. “NO! DON’T SIGN IT, RALPH!” Juliette shouted. Juliette? My hand froze. My insides bursting with renewed hope. My gaze shot up and there she was, right before my eyes—dishevelled and covered in stains, panting slightly; her right arm was bloodied; her purple eyes widened with worry. In a second, I had scanned her entirely and understood what had happened to her. My rage skyrocketed. I wanted to punch the daylights out of that bastard. But before I reacted, Luke had grabbed hold of Juliette. “Ow!” Juliette yelped as her bad arm was twisted roughly and pinned behind her back. “Let go of me, you traitor!” But Luke tugged her close against him, refraining her movements. “You slut! What did you
[Juliette’s POV] Intuition. I remember. The one I felt with Ralph. The one he told me to remember. And then I saw it clearly, what Luke was trying to do—what he has been doing to me all these years. It was as clear as his love for mother. He was trying to make me hate Ralph. If I don’t, he’s gonna make me feel bad about it for the rest of my life. I worried for Ralph. He was going to be reminded of all the pain from being forced to kill, and all the shame for doing so. I want to go to him. To Ralph. But I couldn’t feel my feet. I was too distraught by the images in my head… of Ralph pointing a gun at the kids the way he did to Big Nose…. Ralph felt really awful when he killed Big Nose—ridding his offspring of a father, his wife of a husband. Imagine killing those women and kids… the grief he had to live with all those years…. Stop talking, Luke… stop raking the past… you’re hurting him…. I was swimming in guilt for once again putting him and me in such danger. I saw Ben st
[Juliette’s POV]I couldn’t believe it. “Seventeen days?” Agatha gave a concerned smile. “The doctor said you would wake on the fifth. But you didn’t. So….” She glanced at Ralph. “I’ve never seen a man so lost. He wouldn’t eat, wouldn’t drink. I had to force him.” She turned back with a stern look. “Believe me, it was ugly. We almost started a war here. Thomas and the men had to drag him out at times. To get washed, take a walk, get some decent food. Stubborn as an ox, your husband—Julie!” The housekeeper grabbed a tissue and dabbed below my eyes. “Oh dear. Don’t be sad, he wasn’t alone. We were all here.” She gave me a light hug and patted my shoulder comfortingly. “Sweet dearest… he moved your father to a safer place, just in case that two-faced traitor tries something funny.” I nudged Agatha back to search her face. You know about mother and Luke? The question was in my mind, but I didn’t dare to ask. But the wise woman seemed to read my mind and immediately replied, “Yes, I
[Ralph’s POV] “So she agreed?” Ben asked, his voice in my ear. I stared at the darkness beyond the window of the hospital’s cafeteria. “Yes. She’ll resume her work as my PA when she’s fully recovered.” “That’s a relief.” Ben sighed. “Everything seems to work out exactly as you planned—everything except Luke Pauveree and Juliette—.” “Paufertee,” I corrected with a deadpan face. “Whatever. He’s lucky he got caught before I got to him. That asshole. We had miscalculated.” “I’ve underestimated him,” I admitted. I had been arrogant. I won’t make the same mistake twice. “And Juliette too. But you’re not the only one. I didn’t think she’d take a bullet for you.” We grew silent. And then, the good old Ben’s cut-the-tension laughter slipped in. “Look on the brightside—you were right about letting her into your study.” I almost forgot about that. Juliette was as predictable as her gift of calculation. I figured that if I got her into the library, she would find her way into
[Juliette’s POV] One and a half weeks later, I was finally discharged. I had threatened the doctor to discharge me a week after I had woken. But since I was still a woman with nothing, and he, a doctor placed in charge of the Mafia King’s wife while the king was absent, he ignored me and released me only in due time. I was still frowning in displeasure as I strolled out of the hospital with my arm around my husband’s. Ralph couldn’t stop chuckling. “Cut the doc some slack, eh babe? He did personally visit the ward to give you a formal apology.” “Humph. That’s because you told him to.” I glared at the main exit glass door, staying open as a lady pushed an elderly in a wheelchair through. “I swear, I didn’t.” I glanced at him in slight surprise as we crossed the border of humans’ sanctuary and returned to reality. As the gush of warm air welcomed me back, I muttered, watching ahead, “Fine. I’ll let it go this time.” And rough fingertips tipped my chin for a pair of large
[Juliette’s POV]I held Papa’s hand in mine and felt his warmth seeping through my skin, reassuring me that he’s going to be alright. There is a high chance that he may sleep forever, but I’m going to be hopeful that he will wake up some day. “...and guess what, Papa,” I muttered softly and slipped a chuckle of genuine joy. “He blushed! I’m not kidding. It was a slight red but I saw it.” And before I commented on it, the Mafia King tugged me down for another kiss. It was to shut me up, but boy… was it a passionate kiss. I could still feel the pressure of his firm lips grazing mine with a deep yearning to devour me. And now I’m feeling embarrassed. “A-Anyway.” I shifted my view back to the white haired patient reposing peacefully in a giant hospital bed and continued with a warm, contented smile, “I think I’ll be a stay home mum once we start having kids. I’ll probably write too. Children’s stories. I’ve always wanted to give it a try. I know you’ll disapprove. But Papa, Lux Corp i
[Ralph’s POV]Fuck. She was just showing a bit of skin and I’m feeling the nerves of a fucking schoolboy having sex for the first time. If she knew how much of a loser I am when it comes to her, she’d probably laugh at the silliness of it…. I moved my face closer to that silky skin glowing under the soft moonlight, recalling its texture against my lips, and my heart thumped harder. I’m going to feel her under my skin again… to be drowned in her fragrance… be enveloped by the bliss of her heat… and have her screaming my name as she writhes in pleasure in my arms…. She took a bold step forward and pressed her shoulder against my lips, telling me that she wants me as much as I want her. Take it slow, Ralph. As soon as I felt her warmth on my lips, she shuddered with a tiny gasp and tilted her head to the other side to offer me more. I closed my eyes and took a whiff, and her gorgeous scent engulfed me, removing my thoughts. I moved my lips and she gasped again, in pleasure. Her ha
[Chatri’s POV]The EMERGENCY sign was still lit up. Chatri couldn’t tear his gaze away from it, making sure the light doesn’t go out Across him, seated on the row of plastic chairs, nestled safely between his wife and his mother, his precious fourteen-year-old daughter was praying hard for her saviour too. It was near his heart. Guilt burned the back of her eyes. Ralph-kun… I blamed you for destroying the peace that we’ve paid with our blood and sweat to get. Yet, you did not leave me alone. You fought by my side. You kept your word. With your life. Is this the root of your men’s loyalty? Three hours ago, when they got to the van, her daughter was a crying mess, her almost naked body would have been in full display if it weren’t for that bloodied jacket. Ralph Virtus was sprawled at the van’s entrance, hanging on by a thread. Chatri had to get in the chopper. Footsteps snapped him back to the silent hallway. The ex-mob leader turned to them and Ralph-kun’s right-hand man was mo
[Juliette’s POV]“My father has brought us to the next level—there’s no doubt about it. But as you can see, the charts do not lie. Lux Corp will not survive the casino’s first quarter if we sit back and do nothing.”I gazed firmly around the room. These so-called shareholders of Lux Corp. I need to break their resistance and knock some sense back into them. The oldest one of the group cleared his throat and muttered in a haughty slow pace, “So what you’re saying is: remove Harold Lux as Chairman and put you in charge.” Another guy quickly added, “We don’t do this sort of thing.” Then, the third man snorted in derision. “I’m actually surprised that you gathered all of us here today without the Chairman. If he gets wind of this—.” “He won’t if none of us talk about it,” I snapped, frustration in my throat. What’s with the surprised looks and frowns of disapproval? Aren’t they as much of a businessman as Papa? Can’t they see the signs? The fucking obvious signs! Suddenly, Papa’s de
[Sarah’s POV]She can’t believe it. The unbeatable, ever invincible Don Ralph—the monster in the devil skin; a heartless murderer with the killer sense of an Olympic shooter; king of the world’s most ferocious mafia groups—is completely useless against an infant that’s less than an hour’s old. If it weren’t for Sarah’s fierce insistence and fearsome glare, he wouldn’t even hold his own child. ‘What if I break his neck?’ whispered the poor man, his eyes unable to stray from the tiny creature in his frozen arms. ‘Stop it,’ snapped the caretaker. ‘Sway gently, and you’ll be fine.’ She glanced at the bed and Juliette, who was sleeping soundly, and then back at the man, who would probably feel as though he’s on top of the world right now. Is he going to cry? ‘So what’s his name?’ asked Sarah, swiftly diverting those tears from crystalising. Without looking up, he muttered, ‘Milo.’ Then, he glanced at his sleeping wife and a proud smile appeared. ‘Milo Virtus. The first of the many.’
[Juliette’s POV]‘I am not selling anything.’ Papa’s eyes were filled with so much distaste, I felt ashamed for calling myself his heir. ‘I’m surprised that I have to remind you of the rules now. You wanted a vacation, and I gave you one. Now, you can’t even remember the simplest thing.’ My mouth opened, my explanation ready like a debate team, but I clamped my lips tight. He doesn’t want to hear anything right now. Right now, he only wants to vent. We’re losing money fast since twenty of our suppliers had suddenly asked for a price review.‘I do remember them, Papa,’ I murmured sourly. ‘Then why are you even suggesting that we sell off our least money-making businesses?’ he demanded angrily. Because that could stop more money from going out! My mind was screaming like a child being blamed for something that she didn’t do. Isn’t it common sense? When things get rough, tighten your pockets! Or is this yet another test? But I’m so done with all the tests! With the baby about to co
[Harold’s POV]SLAM!The sixty-ish fist slammed on the antique desk with the strength of a forty-year-old boxer. Even in his experience, there’s a limit to how much he can take. How did this happen? How did it slip by him unnoticed? The casino. He’d lost track. Damn his old man’s genes. They’re so useless, they made him useless as well. ‘You had no problems with the price for decades. Now, out of the blue you want—not one percent, not two—but a three percent hike?’ His knuckles were paling, bearing all the rage which only kept spiking. The calm voice at the other end of the phone irked Harold further. ‘My apologies, Mr. Lux. But you know how this works—we can’t hold down the price for any longer,’ replied the thirteenth supplier. ‘It’s been three decades since our last review. We hope you understand.’ Everyone wants his understanding. What about theirs? He’s cash strapped! Whose fault is it? If he didn’t build the casino for these bloodsuckers, he wouldn’t be stuck! If they weren’t
[Juliette’s POV]And then it crashed onto me. Like a boulder. I observed those golden swirls in his eyes burning with hurt and that hurt clenched my chest. Utensils down and my mouth wiped, I reached across the table and covered his hand with mine. ‘Growing up, I imagine the Virtuses as cold-blooded monsters,’ I began. Those brown irises dilated with fury, and I slipped my fingers through that large hand and rubbed my skin against his to calm the fire. ‘Because of all the stories I’ve been fed—we’ve all been fed.’ To his tensed jaw, I muttered softly, ‘I must speak for everyone, Ralph.’ ‘You’re not telling me that your father was fed the same story. He came to me with the aim of stealing my family’s land, Juliette.’ ‘I’m not saying—.’ ‘Stop defending him!’ Ralph jerked his hand out of my grasp, fuming. But his eyes never left me, which was a good sign. So immediately, I leaned forward and pleaded, ‘I’m not defending him.’ ‘Then what the fuck are you doing?’ ‘I’m trying to te
[Juliette’s POV]I smiled at the man gently resting his hand on my belly, so careful, so timidly, I almost couldn’t recognise him. Is this Ralph Virtus, the Mafia King? The one whom everyone calls The Devil? The handsome beast with the wits of a chess master. Those cold, fierce eyes were filled with so much fear that I wanted to hug him and squeeze those bad thoughts out of him. Those same golden brown eyes now widened in amazement as they swung up to me. ‘It moved.’ I chuckled and covered his hand with mine. ‘Of course it does, silly.’ He gazed at my stomach, his pupils dilating some more. ‘It’s kicking.’ He looked up, worried. ‘Does it hurt?’ I shook my head. ‘My chest just feels tight when it happens.’ Then, his ears were on my belly, listening intently. As amusing as it was watching his face change colour every second, I can’t help but worry that the next second something will happen to destroy this peaceful moment. As though he read my thoughts, his attention was back on
[Ralph’s POV]‘D…Did you just—I knew it.’ Her eyes were shaking with such low confidence, I almost couldn’t recognise them. ‘You find me annoying now….’ Her hands slid off my chest in defeat. Is this what a baby does to a woman? ‘I did not say that.’ As soon as I heard my voice, I froze again. Shit—that was cold. Quick—correct it. ‘I mean—I don’t mean what I said.’ I tried to grab her hand but missed it. ‘Juliette….’ Her shoulders were shaking too. ‘Jesus… you’re not crying now, are you?’ What? No. That came out wrong again. What the fuck is wrong with me? She spun around in full rage. With tears gushing down her steamed face, she jabbed a finger at my shoulder. ‘YES! I’m crying like a clingy pathetic woman! And whose fault is it? Who put this thing inside me?!’ She pointed at her round belly protruding proudly through her skirt. “WHO?!”I laughed. It was unplanned. Before I knew it, I was already holding my waist to steady myself. My shoulders were shaking, my chest was rumbli
[Ralph’s POV]I blinked at the Hong Kong mob leader and his voice returned. ‘... do you think?’ What were we discussing? Something that reminded me of Juliette and the baby. Of my fears. Of the baby dying inside Juliette’s stomach… or Juliette dying with the baby—yes. We were talking about that old fox and his shady business. My finger stopped tapping. ‘I’m closing all of it down.’ ‘No offence, nong Ralph.’ The Thai leader burst through. ‘My elders love khun Lux. It won’t be easy to shut them down.’ Chinh was frowning too. ‘You close down one, another will pop up. Who’ll say no to money?’‘Money and power,’ mumbled Andrei. ‘I’ve told you before. Harold Lux is well-connected. I can’t have the boys going against me. There are many who’ll have my head and you said that you’ll handle it. So all I have to do is focus on protecting my family from the ollies.’ ‘And this doesn’t change that,’ I repeated firmly. ‘I failed to see how,’ muttered the cool and collected Isamu. ‘Harold-san gi