[Juliette's POV] His hand slammed over my tied wrists and grabbed it as an anchor to ram in another, stronger and deeper than the one just before. A hard moan of extreme pleasure screamed from my throat. 'Deeper, Juliette?' His husky voice sounded in my left ear, the darkness amplifying his sexiness and the thrill of his promise. Oh, fuck yes… I want it. But will it tear? He's larger than usual, for some reason, and it feels even better, I'm not gonna lie… 'Deeper it is,' he grunted and slammed in another, striking the same spot twice as harder. Burst. His name tore from my throat as I was seized and everything shook like a 10.0 earthquake. 'Fuck, kitten,' he grunted and plunged in another one—and another wave of intense euphoria gripped me. 'Ralph!' I sobbed. He stiffened, his own pleasure spilling in low, sexy groans, and then relaxed again. And then a caress across my forehead and then the binds came off. Followed by the blindfold. I winced from the glare as hot
[Juliette’s POV]I wiped the smile off my face and straightened my back. 'Right now, I'm the HR Manager of this place. You're fighting the battles, I'm just doing my part to help you win.' The large guy shifted in his seat with pride in his hard gaze. 'I respect that.''And I respect you.' I leaned back slightly and asked, 'So where do I search?' The hesitation was reasonable: should a Virtus let a Lux search through his things? Can he trust a Lux?But it also revealed his desperation for his claims to be approved, just like an average member of an organisation. He sighed in relent and shrugged. 'My folder. It's in the intranet. I'll give you the password.'I beamed with relief. 'I'll let you know once I'm done and you can make a new password.''Yeah, whatever.' He stood and was out of the conference room. That actually went well! I can't wait to tell Ralph! *****[Marco’s POV]It was sheer luck that he came upon the piece of news. He spoke to so many people, sent his private i
[Juliette’s POV]I should be happy. But I can’t smile. Even his knitted brows of concern couldn’t take my mind off what happened after lunch. It was going so well. What happened? Why was he hostile again? It was like the discussion we had this morning never happened—like I had been in a different dimension, or time zone, and I just got back from it. Something rough but warm covered my hand on the restaurant table and I looked down at it. The large hand securing over mine, shielding me from harm, from everything. ‘Do you need details about the emergency? Will that make you feel better?’ Ralph asked in his deep, calm voice of masculine sexiness. A voice that makes me want to crawl into him and wrap him around me and complain and whine. But if I did, he’d remember about the deal we had and take over. I don’t want the Virtus family members to accept me out of the Don’s orders; I want them to accept me for me, and because they want to. I turned to my left and gazed into those handsome
[Juliette’s POV] ‘I gave you the receipts, didn’t I?’ That look of disgust was hard to miss. The descendant of the command sergeant, Calum Virtus, Director of the Virtus Retails, was known to be the better—and prettier—version of Marco. And he was a clean freak. Arms crossed, the pretty guy snorted. ‘Ezio warned us all. So I sent them all to you yesterday. After working hours, of course. After all the real work was done.’ So my work is useless to the company, huh? My fingers tightened around the iPad pen. I sighed inwardly and maintained a cordial smile. ‘I really appreciate it, Mr. Calum.’ The sound of a formal address raised his brows, and suddenly he looked embarrassed. But only for a split second. ‘So why are we here?’ The fine chin tilted away haughtily. ‘I just told you I’ve got lots of stuff to catch up on. And you’ve got the nerve to call a Director in for this.’ ‘I have no choice. This can only be discussed with the Director of Virtus Retails.’ The proud gr
[Juliette’s POV]Dinner was at Sweet Like Heaven bar restaurant, atop one of the highest buildings in the city. I told him about this place a month ago, heard it from someone in the Lux Corp ladies’ room, and felt curious enough to try it. The place was hard to get a table—the long waiting list and all—but he managed to fix us up with one. It was flattering to know that he still remembered. But then, is he doing this out of guilt? For cancelling lunch with me to meet another woman. Is there really another woman? ‘Kitten?’ His voice feathered inside my ear and I blinked at the elevator door as we rose smoothly to level thirty-three, where the restaurant is. Then his warm lips were on the edge of my ear, pressing gently. ‘What’s on your mind?’ I turned to him and he caught something on my face and sighed with a frown. ‘What is it?’ He was as curt as a husband who was about to be confronted about his mistress. ‘Promise me you won’t get upset,’ I muttered, trying to sound less confron
[Juliette’s POV]Sluuurp! Muack! Lick, lick… kiss… nibble, kiss, nibble…. Sluuurp!‘Mmm….’ A moan in my voice sounded in my ear, and a giant shudder raced up my body, under my trembling skin. The dream of sunset colours evaporated into the expensive frame of the poster bed in my bedroom. And I’m back in the Lux mansion, lying in bed on my tummy, with my eyelids weighing like boulders, my flesh soaking up in pleasure, blood rushing, chest fluttering, tingles streaming incessantly from between my thighs, breasts grinding the soft sheets—and my swollen wet lips spread wide for the scorching, fierce lips and voracious wild tongue, dipping and prodding and devouring—-.‘Oh Fuck!’ My back lifted in a cobra pose as a powerful one consumed me, and then our lips found each other and he kissed me hard, as demanding as he was earlier—and a few hours ago—while fondling my breasts. I was lifted to my knees, and he entered me swiftly, clutching me hard to reach the deepest depth at one go, and t
[Juliette’s POV]‘Where’s Ben?’ I asked. The woman in the boss chair across the fancy antique desk, with every limb crossed, smirked and said, ‘He’s busy making sure that the models are focused on their training.’ My insides fell deadpan. Isn’t that her job? Or is she trying to get Ben out of the way? Outside, I maintained a cordial smile. ‘I see. So he’s been really helpful then.’ And her nose crunched with disgust. ‘As a gardener should.’ Jesus… There's really nothing likeable about this woman. Wonder what Ben sees in her. Maybe it’s all sensual for him—she does have all the curves, the perfect flesh-to-muscle proportion. She is afterall a runway model. ‘So what can I do for you?’ The fake smile on my face was starting to take toil on my cheeks. She leaned forward and whispered, ‘Leave Ralph.’ My heart nearly stopped. D-Did I hear wrongly? ‘Excuse me?’ I blinked. ‘You heard me.’ Her voice was low and threatening. ‘Leave Ralph. Divorce, separation, whatever. Get rid of you
[Juliette’s POV] Shit. I glanced down and checked the driver again. Swallowing a nervous lump, I slowly pulled my knees apart, my dress hiking up my thighs—. ‘There’s a good girl….’ The deep voice in my ear feathered. ‘Look how beautiful your skin is… I can almost feel it under my fingers….’ I shifted my phone to my left hand, holding it to my left ear, then slipped my right hand under my dress, moving it up my thigh, mimicking his hands whenever he caressed me… they way they ran to and fro… like a light breeze…. My knees spread wider, wanting more. I took another nervous glance at the driver before prodding further. ‘Put a finger in,’ he ordered. ‘Mmph.’ I bit my lower lip to stop a moaning protest as I sneaked another glance at the driver. ‘You know you want it, kitten….’ And I slipped it in—a bright sensation jolted through me, pushing my back against the seat, biting my lower lip harder. ‘Push it in deep….’ And my finger obeyed— reaching in and curling to cares
[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