[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
[Juliette's POV]Five days later …."But the guy's from Harvard!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "That's not qualification then I don't know what is."Ben sighed. "Director Filipo's words were 'so why is a Harvard graduate doing with us instead of Lux Corp?'"I grabbed my forehead in exasperation. "Jesus Christ…. I didn't go to him. He came to us! He applied for the position. He's from the list that you gave me!" What the hell is wrong with these Virtus idiots?! This is the sixth director asking for a change of PA. The first one was 'too goody two shoes'. The second one was 'too scholarly'. The third one 'looked like a boiled cabbage'. The fourth is 'an asshole', and the fifth 'a smartypants'. I kneaded my forehead. "Seriously, Ben. They are the best amongst the lot." Another helpless sigh came through. "Maybe if we told them that Ralph—.""No!" I quickly rebutted. "Let me handle this. Please.""What are you gonna do?" "I'll make a spreadsheet. A list of all the candidates. And give a
[Juliette’s POV]So Monsieur altered the dress as I was doing hair and make-up. By the time I was ready to put on the star of his latest collection—a wedding gown that resembled the majestic grace of a waterfall of stars—he had trimmed the hem, tightened the waist, and released the plunging neckline. The result was a gown that snuggles comfortably around my bodice like a camisole, with soft, almost translucent fabric cascading from my waist. As the stylist gave the dress one last check, I looked at myself in the mirror, and my breath was taken away. Monsieur’s dresses are really a work of art: I look like some goddess in a dress sewn out of stars and mist, and a magical waterfall. When I stepped out of the dressing area into the light, everyone was staring in disbelief. “Purrfect…,” Monsieur whispered in awe. “Zis is my vision….” He gave me a light hug and pulled back. “You realised my vision, Juliette!” My lips were quivering as I spread them into a confident smile. Inside, it
[Jewel’s POV] “Stop this car at once!” Jewel screamed on top of her lungs, tugging and pushing the door handle as though she wanted to unhinge it. She's that desperate. She can't leave just like this! She can't leave Ralph with the conclusion that she sabotaged his plans on purpose—she didn't! Okay. So she has problems with punctuality. She hadn't been on time for all rehearsals. But that means nothing! Ruining the fashion show was never her intention! Why would she? Her livelihood now depends on it. Ralph is wrong about her! Jewel would never sabotage the show for that bitch Juliette. No, that bitch isn't even worth it. The feisty Virtus Director unlocked the door for the tenth time. And swiftly after she did, the maniac driver, Ralph's second right hand man, locked it for the eleventh time. "ARGH!!!" The Director bellowed like a crazed lioness, shaking the door in raw fury. "Take me back to the show, you piece of filth! You'll pay for this, I swear!" "The CEO's orders
[Juliette’s POV] The walls to the presidential suite are soundproof—extremely. And Ralph knows about it really well. “What was it you wanted to ask me, kitten…?” he breathed, blowing his warm breath against the bud of my clit. "W-What…?" I swallowed and inhaled sharply. What did I want to ask—I… I can’t remember—mmph! A shiver of heightened anticipation shot up my back. A tiny whimper slipped through my lips. My trembling lips, threatening to part and let out a moan of delight, but I wouldn’t let it. It’s embarrassing enough to have my thighs spread this wide—I could feel the plush back cushion of the couch against my knees. It’s even more embarrassing to feel his fingers spreading my wet folds and seeing his face buried deep between my thighs and feeling all his features pressing against my most vulnerable spot. Embarrassing and fucking hot at the same time. “Kitten…,” he breathed again in a warning tone, this time his lips came upon the swelling bud of my desires.
[Juliette’s POV] One week later…. I smiled and waved at the limousine cruising off to the distance, whisking my husband to Lux Corp. Once it was out of sight, I whipped out my phone and dialled Ben’s number. He answered in a ring. “Are you sure about this?” the English-accented voice asked for the hundredth time since yesterday. “Yes, Ben.” I rolled my eyes at Margaret who shook her head with a kind smile. He’s like a woman, I mouthed at Margaret, and she chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’m coming over right now. See you in thirty.” And the call disconnected. I removed my phone from my ear as Margaret asked with a concerned knit of her brows. “What if the Don asked, Madam? I can’t lie to him.” “Then tell him the truth.” I turned around and hastened up the steps—and Margaret followed closely behind me. “I don’t want you to lose your job over this, Marge. I mean it.” “The Don will still fire me for not stopping you.” Our heels clicked across the large hallway. “Then I’ll
[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