[Juliette’s POV]Ralph. He’s at the door. I jumped off bed and dashed to the door. But as soon as my hand felt the door knob, his voice came through from the other side. “DON’T.” I paused. Don’t? Don’t what?As if reading my mind, he exhaled and said, “Don’t open the door.” And before I asked why, he added, “It’s my punishment. For hurting you. So don’t let me see you.” I sniffed and wiped my face with my fingertips and unlocked the door. “I SAID ‘DON’T’!” he barked, and I halted once more, tempting to ignore him and open the door, and flung myself into his arms—I’m sure they’re open, waiting for me. “Jesus Christ, Juliette….” He sounded tired. And wounded. Like that stray puppy I found at the pathside of the college campus. I remembered how it shivered with fear and cold, its brown fur dirty and dusty. And my heart fell ten storeys. I want to get to him. But I'm also afraid that my aggression will push him away. So I stayed put. Silence ensued between us. And then he asked,
[Juliette’s POV] I was lying on top of Ralph, left ear on his chest, breasts flattened against his upper abdomen, arms around his waist, listening to the rapid thudding beneath his firm muscles returning to its regular, calm rhythm, when his deep voice spoke. “When I first arrived here, everything was huge. Everyone looked angry. I was scared… but then somehow I knew, I can’t show it. So I kept my hands in my pockets. Grip them tight.” I wanted to lift myself up to face him when his hand came over my head and his fingers started sliding through the damp strands of my hair in an absentminded manner. “This place was huge. Dark and dusty. Except for the sounds of pain, it was quiet everywhere.” He paused and exhaled, and then added in a whisper, “Very quiet.” “You were nine. Any kid your age would feel scared.” I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. “You were taken away from your mother too. To a strange and unknown place.” “I thought I’d never see her again so I cried… I cried h
[Ralph’s POV] “Enough….” she gasped, and her body convulsed once more—for the fourth time. The pleasure was thickened to a low grunt from her throat. But it wasn’t enough for me. She made me remember so much of the darkness and pain, and touched them all with light, making me feel worthy of remembering my mother again. I could see those kind eyes smiling at me again before those undernourished arms came around me tight, protectively. This heiress had made me remember what it was like to be human. I want to consume her. Fill her entirely with me. Just me. “Not yet, kitten….” I heard my voice in the darkness, and then it coaxed her, “Open your eyes, love. I want to see them when I come.” In a whimper, she slowly opened them and I kissed their damp lashes. “Ralph…?” She looked drunk with bliss. She looked like she wanted more… but then she also seemed to be begging me to stop. “Say you love me, kitten….” She stared at me through hooded eyes and exhaled, “I love you, Ralph…
[Juliette’s POV]The lobby was a sea of marble surrounded by white walls and nothing. We arrived at the elevator when Ralph sighed. “We'll have a receptionist.” Is that embarrassment? He’s embarrassed by the state of his lobby? That’s… adorable. I didn’t think he’d be embarrassed by such things. “And some couches,” I added with a smile.“And some couches,” he repeated with another sigh through his nose, his hand tucked into his pocket. “Jesus Christ…,” he cursed under his breath, embarrassment in his voice. Which broadened my smile. He is embarrassed. Is this why he’s never talked about his family or gets upset whenever I chanced upon some things about them? Then, it dawned on me: he wants to show me only the best sides of himself. So is he ashamed of the rest? I feel flattered. Yet at the same time, my heart clenched with a sour feeling. Doesn’t he trust me with the parts of him he thinks aren’t good? Trust that I would still love him for that? The light ping of the arriving e
[Juliette’s POV]But before Ralph could say the next word, Liandro turned to Ben and said, “Listen. I need a PA. And I need one fast.” I snorted inside. He’s trying to make Ben look bad in front of Ralph. I’ve seen this happen so often back at Lux Corp; the people who use this method to get ahead in their career usually eat alone during lunchtime. “I told you the recruitment drive has just ended,” Ben explained, surprisingly in a calm tone, which didn’t match the annoyed line of his brows. “It’ll take a few days to sort out the data for an analysis.” Liandro switched to Ralph. “See what I have to face everyday?” A finger shot up at Ben. “Wait. Wait. And more waiting. Jesus Christ, Ralph! How are we gonna get things moving if the gardener son here works like a fucking snail?” Ralph looked like he wanted to strangle Liandro, and Ben looked like he’s gonna help. “Let me help,” I said. And the Emperor’s clothes snorted a derision, shaking his head at the floor. “This is no business
[Juliette’s POV]“What do you want from me, Juliette?” Ralph stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Didn’t I say that ‘we need good venues’? Why do you think so?” To expand your family business, I replied in my head, using my silence as means of open defiance. “Lux Corp owns ninety-nine percent of these prospective spots. How do you expect us to not clash in this area? Goddamn it, I don’t want to fight with you in the middle of the street.” Ralph continued forward, rudely tugging me along. “Are you saying that I’m picking a fight with you unnecessarily?” I tried to pry my hand out of his but he held onto it strongly. He yanked me forward until our nose touched and he growled under his breath, “When you calm the fuck down, Juliette, you’ll recall seeing the legal rental contracts signed by legit business owners, who’ll be–and has been—paying Lux Corp the appropriate rent. I didn’t give them the space for free, if that’s what you’re thinking.” His minty breath was distracting me, s
[Juliette’s POV]“I’m sorry.” This is the fifth one I’ve heard ever since Filipo’s. As soon as they saw me, it would be 'Sorry. Busy. Talk later.'followed by a kind smile. Which is literally Fuck off, you slut in the Mafia language. If they didn't want me to think that way, then they shouldn't use their eyes as a killing machine, shooting daggers at me or glowing red with the desire to kill.Honestly, after seeing the change in Margaret, I thought the other Virtus members would follow suit. I mean, I did save Ralph’s life—that’s gotta mean something to them, right? Guess I’m still naive, as Luke had always said. Innocent and naive. Like a bunny—shit… that’s why he called me ‘bunny’. It was never meant to be in a romantic sense. But I treated it as such. Again, naive. My place in Ralph’s world is torn between two groups of people—those who appreciate me jumping in the line of fire to save Ralph because I love him, and those who despise me for jumping in the line of fire to make
[Juliette's POV]I reached for the opening of his pants. Buttons. The simplest kind of fastening. Yet… I can't… seem to get… it… out—oh God. His lips. They're on my breasts. Nibbling… sucking the plumpness of my flesh there. "Mmph!" A moan slipped from me. Another wave of bliss seized me. I paused to let the sensations simmer then I returned to his pants. The button is almost coming out—and I inhaled sharply His hands had slipped under my blouse and were caressing my abdomen, feeling, stroking and gliding, to and fro. God, his hands… Why do they always feel so good?I pushed myself forward, to feel more of his wet lips, and another moan of bliss escaped through my lips. A shudder later, my insides itched stronger.I pulled back slightly as my fingers sprang alive again, hurrying, pushing the button out of its latch. Finally, his pants came undone, and—ha!—Ralph slid those magic hands around my waist to my back as his lips moved lower…."Mmm…." I whimpered, feeling frustrated. I
[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