[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
[Juliette's POV]Cafe hopping, huh? He shot dagger eyes at me. Behind them, I saw the pain of betrayal. 'I didn't want you to worry.' Was all I could say. But the ex-Mafia King cast me a look of disappointment before he stood and stalked out of the dining room. 'Ralph!' I hissed, running after him, wanting to explain about my meeting with Jewel, to redeem myself. But it was too late. As soon as I entered the main hall, Randy caught sight of me and charged forward like a bull to a red flag. Hand raised, he looked like he wanted to kill me with a slap, and I halted in fright, wincing in preparation for a piercing sting.But… nothing happened. 'Are you interfering now, Don Ralph?' Randy snarled. 'That's my wife you're about to hit, Randy,' replied a deep, guttural voice. Randy tried to shake off Ralph's grip. 'AND THAT'S MY DAUGHTER SHE HIT!' What?! My eyes nearly fell from their sockets. 'I never touched her!' That bitch framed me! 'And there you have it—so quietly leave, Ran
[Juliette's POV]The elevator door opened and Fillipo was standing there with crossed arms and a tight lip. Without a word, he moved aside. I gave a look of uncertainty to Ben who then swivelled an awkward gaze back to the young director and opened his mouth, ready to explain. But the younger guy beat him to it. 'Are you coming in or not?' His face upturned, his foot tapping nervously—or maybe it was simply embarrassment. Ben sank in relief while I sniffed a smile before dragging my suitcase out. ******'Will you be telling Ralph that I'll be here?' I wiped a Kleenex to my right eye and then blew into it. 'You know the drill, babe,' said Ben as he checked outside the window. After making sure of something, he left the window open and turned to me. 'But if you want me not to tell him—.'I shook my head, sobering up. 'I don't give a shit about that now.'Ben's right brow raised in surprise. 'What?' 'OK. I've waited long enough,' intercepted another voice. We turned to it and
[Ralph's POV] 'What do you have in mind then?' I swallowed the cold water, freezed my dumb brain as punishment, then did a post-exercise heavy sigh. 'Send everything to the cops.' Ben jolted straight. Then, he leaned close, his eyes darting around to make what he was about to say wouldn't be heard. 'Please tell me your head is clear as glass: you send that over, and the entire U.R.T police force will be on Virtus' tail!' I looked up. But the gardener's son was unfazed by my warning glare. His brows looked pissed but his eyes were still respectful. In a lower voice, he muttered, 'The atomic bomb not only ended the war, bro—it ended innocent lives too.' 'I'm aware of it.' I groaned in exasperation. 'And you still want to go ahead with it?' I scoffed in defeat and looked away as Ben added firmly, 'Every shady deal Randy's made in the past, he makes it with someone in the family. It's obvious why: he doesn't want to go down alone.' He doesn't want prison, that's more li
[Ralph’s POV] '.... So pack up your things and leave when you're told. Do you understand me, Juliette?' repeated the sweet voice. Calm down, big guy. My right hand has been gripping the steering wheel so hard, the tremors of my angry knuckles were clenching my heart. Click! The door unlocked and a satisfying chuckle came through the mic in Juliette's phone when someone shuffled anxiously in. 'You leave me no choice, Juliette. I'll have to accept your apology,' she added, loud enough for the new entry into the room. Likely the housekeeper. Which meant bad news. Goddamn it, Juliette. Why didn’t you wait that couple of days? Why the hell did you change your mind? What protege of the business king would go to a business meeting with a cluttered mind? That’s like asking the quicksand to eat her alive. Christ…. I should be mad at her for lying about having my baby. But I'm actually more angry at myself for not seeing through her lies. Way to go, asshole. You can't keep yo
[Juliette’s POV]”Jesus Christ….” Ralph stared in wide shock at the truth revealed in Elizabeth Lux’s handwriting. His shock was as good as mine. I realised my mouth was agape and closed it, my shock finally ingested in a gulp and an inhale. I found my voice and muttered, “She had his baby.” I turned to Ralph and swallowed again to maintain my voice. “Milo’s not the first.” I grabbed Ralph’s sleeves and shook him out of his daze. “Milo’s not the first to have the Lux and Virtus blood! Do you know what this means?” The swell in his throat finally came alive, bobbing nervously between the collar of his freshly put on shirt, and he murmured with heightened worry. “This means Milo is in grave danger.” I felt my face fall deadpan. That wasn’t what I had in mind. “No, silly! Milo isn’t the first. That means he’s safe! Daddy wouldn’t mind having him.” I pointed at the journal. “Daddy knows this all along—.” “And he hates it.” Ralph’s fierce gaze bore into mine, trying to make me see what
[Ralph’s POV]And I slid my fingers through hers. I pinned her hands above her wonderful expression of bliss to sink deeper into her. She wrapped around me unconditionally while I stroked her the way she wanted, stretching her desires beyond that cliff so she’d want—no—burn for that tip. I pushed in further, driving her body to the brink of madness as our lips almost touched, my nipples pressing hard against hers, grinding, yearning for her the same ways her blood boils for me. “How badly do you want me, kitten?” I licked her quivering, intoxicated upper lip. I knew the answer, but I couldn’t help but tease her. My damn, damn pride. Her insides were hot like lava, twitching fiercely with a need for me to move. But her slender thighs were wedged securely between our warm bodies so she was completely immobilised, afraid that the slightest touch would take away everything, and she didn’t want that. So she resorted to hiking that sweet voice of hers. “Ralph, please!” I seized her
[Juliette’s POV]“Don’t worry, Miss Julie!” Thomas’ voice rang as the car bolted forward. “No one will know a thing!” Outside the window was pitch darkness. Even the headlights were off so that they wouldn’t be spotted. “You’ll be killed if Papa finds out,” I murmured, my heart racing as fast as the car. Thomas chuckled. “I’ll be fine, Miss Julie. There’s one thing I know for sure about Master Lux: he doesn’t care about small fries like us.”I felt my lips curled up in a smile. That’s true. Papa wouldn’t even know of Thomas’ existence. “But he’ll know when a car’s missing.” I sighed. “We’re so fucked. We’ll be discovered. And we’ll both have to pay for it—.” God, I’m whiny. “This is a gift, Miss Julie. From Mr. Ralph!” Thomas proudly patted the steering wheel. “The old Master hasn't visited the garage since his return. I bet you a hundred dollars, he doesn't know about this baby. Besides, it’s mine. I don’t put it with the other cars he used. So he’ll never know.” So this is wh
[Juliette’s {POV]He raised a brow. “Was?” And I nodded. “Before my vacation.” I looked down at my feet, the way I always do when I regret my actions. “I was struggling… I’m sure you can tell–I mean, you know… I couldn’t tell what’s real. I was living a lie for so long that I had started to believe it.” “That’s why you asked for a vacation.” A statement that sounded like a question, Papa’s condescending way of telling someone that he knows better. And I ran along with it. “Yes.” “And your head is clear now.” “Never been clearer.’ I glanced at Agatha who’d been standing behind Papa, her knowing gaze told me she'd laid the groundwork. So I casually explained, “That’s why I got curious, Papa. Ralph had access to everything you owned, including this room. And I remember how much you treasure this place.” The scepticism was still locked in his gaze but my confidence didn’t falter like before. “That’s why you never let anyone in. Only Agatha cleans this place, and she’s always supervi
[Ralph’s POV]“A break in?” Robert gasped, and anxiety was banging against my skull, threatening to burst through. “Goddamn it, Ben!” I roared. “What the fuck is wrong with you? We use it, we throw it away. It’s just a fucking burn phone—you didn’t use one, did you? You kept a second phone.”“It was for Jewel.” There was regret in his voice. But I couldn’t let it go. “And you left it in the office? Can you be any dumber? Now two lives are in danger because of you!” “ME?!” He finally flew off the handle. “You let the love of my life take care of your stupid child! Do you know how dangerous that is? That child’s a fucking shooting target!” My eyes turned murderous. “What the fuck did you just say?” Suddenly, Ben was as calm as he’s ever been. “I was wrong. I apologise.” At my silence, he continued, “I know you can’t chill” “The fuck I can.” My voice was running on its own. “So I won’t ask. But listen, will you? A shadow’s already on his way.” My fingers raged through my hair, sh
[Harold’s POV] “So he was there.” The owner of Lux empire, known to all as the Business King, Harold Lux, was tapping his finger on the antique desk back in his office at Lux Corp, listening to the P.I. reporting on the voice speaker of his phone, when rage took over. “And my daughter was there.” His voice was unusually calm. But his best friend and veteran lawyer, Jerry, could detect the livid undertone, and a sigh of exasperation let out into the air. His old brows slowly gathered. “Did they meet?” What a question. Of course, they did. Of course, they would! Harold’s fingers gathered into a clutch—within it, is Ralph Virtus’ neck. After the flipping of pages, the P.I.’s voice was back on. “No.” Everything slid off those tensed shoulders. Harold leaned forward, interested for the first time. “Are you sure?” More pages flipped to highlight the professionalism and then the voice returned. “Positive. She stayed in her villa. He stayed in his.” “And you surveille
[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.’