[Jewel’s POV] The swell in that broad throat of her sexy devil bobbed furiously. The same fury that shot out from those handsome eyes—the same eyes whose constant rage would excite her, make her want to feel the pain of his strength under his whip. Yes, Ralph, she thought, that’s the anger I missed. The You who was gone right after your stupid scheme of legalising our family. That power inside you craves for me—not that little Lux bitch. ‘Get out,’ he breathed, his hands in tight fists, wringing an imaginary stress ball. The cue for her performance, and Jewel gladly took it. Curving down her lips and hiking her eyes to a sympathetic form, squeezing every ounce of her to get some tears, she muttered in a strained voice, ‘Ralph, please. How many years have we known each other? You think I’d leave you just because you made a huge mistake like this? You didn’t let a thief into our home; she tricked you.’ Her giant stood with greater anger, his chair punched back in the same disappo
[Juliette’s POV] It twirled, feeling around, licking. Tremors rushed up my spine from my toes dangling next to his ears. Strong lips closed upon that sweet spot and pressed against the bud, then his tongue licked and rubbed and prodded possesively…. Warm tingles swept up under my skin like ice, jolting the pink tips of my breasts forward, wanting—no—needing the same attention he was giving my wet lips. Slurp. Suck. Slurp! ‘Keep them wide open, kitten….,’ whispered that deep attractive voice. ‘Wide…. Open. And concentrate. No coming till I say so.’ He blew gently across the tiny time bomb and I could feel its petals quivering with sheer anticipation. ‘Mmph!’ Slipped through my quivering lips. Eyes shut tight to muster that last ounce of strength to suppress that momentous mind-blowing explosion of gorgeous light. ‘Ralph! I squealed. ‘A little more, kitten.’ His tongue drove in. My head threw back, bumped against the headboard. But the pain was nothing compared to the
[Juliette’s POV] CLANK! ‘You little slut! How dare you talk to me like that! Do you know who I am? Get your manager here!’ The shadow of a dwarf with a ball under his Hawaiian shirt shot past me just as my hand fired out at the orange flowered collar. ‘Let me get it, Felix.’ I said to the boss of the diner. ‘Ya sure?’ He huffed, his cheeks red from anger, his eyes narrowed with the same fury and concern. ‘If anything happens to you—.’ ‘Jesus Christ, Felix, it’s been three weeks. Aren’t you tired of it?’ I glared at the monster in a BOSS suit. That slick golden hair was already flicking my nerves. ‘I got this.’ Nudging the real boss aside, I swapped out the apron, pulled down my sleeves and cuffed it as I strolled casually through the row of bar stools and booths. The last button closed up, I straightened my shirt then pulled my hair into a maître d'hôtel bun before arriving in front of that pompous ass. ‘Good evening, Sir. My name is Jeswee Kunnau—.’ ‘Ku, what?’ He check
[Jewel’s POV]Her phone screen blackened. She looked up and caught her own reflection in the car window. A frown. Everything’s set: the invitations have been sent out—she had checked through every single one of them, and they were real—the addresses, the names—she made sure that they were stamped and sent out; the venue has been secured—VL Hotel—the grandest one in the U.R.T, and the dream spot for every woman and every girl’s dream wedding; the menu has been booked—specially crafted by the three star Michelin chef Alan Bamsey. She even went to the venue an hour earlier, just to make sure that the agreed set-up wasn’t a fluke.Indeed, when she came through the door, the decor—from the floor to the stage prop—were exactly as the hotel had promised. So why did she feel the jitters? Could it be that the ceremony was set in the afternoon? But Ralph had assured her that he would have a meeting to go to, so the timing is perfect. Moreover, this is just an engagement party. Not the real
[Randy’s POV]He didn’t think much about the Don’s sudden visit. Maybe the son of a whore wanted to have a drink with his father-in-law. Randy couldn’t stop smiling. The master is back. With the Don on his side, Randy can do anything; the Virtuses will be his circus, at his mercy, his slaves, monkeys jumping to his every whip and command. Never mind that his allowance is limited—those idiots would gladly give him theirs. And he could spend like a king again–his precious princess won’t give him that look again. Never mind his bitch wife—she could fuck any man her pussy wants. That slut. How dare she cut him loose once the Don moved in with his stupid plans. What kind of a plan is that anyway: work and get paid? Why work when you can get money for free? Goddamn it, that bastard. If the Demon knew what his chosen heir had done with the family business, he’d rise from his grave and slit the damn boy’s throat before he could whip out his fucking gun. The door to his study opened and
[Juliette's POV]I managed to grab his shirt. And then—’Urgh!’I was blown back, struck the kitchen floor, the thin flesh of my back barely cushioning my crash. Then a yelp of pain and fear burned the air, rolling and thrashing about. ‘Felix!’ I jumped onto my feet, my hands on my apron. Pat! Pat! Pat! The fabric fluttered in a frenzy. Get it! Come on! Come on, Juliette!Pat! Pat! Pat! It was out and I dashed forward, on my knees. ‘It’s out! It's out!’ I cried to the rolling and screaming man. ‘Fucking shit!’ He panted heavily as I checked the arm that had caught fire. It looked red. ‘Can you get up?’ I shouted through the winds of the roaring blaze. ‘We need to move. Now. It's getting bigger!’And I helped the big guy to his feet. ‘I haven't locked the front door!’ Felix cried, holding his arm. Smoke was stuffing my nose. My insides are melting like cheese on a torch. In a glimpse, the kitchen stove and the flicking flames from the storage door beside it sent a chill of dea
[Juliette’s POV]I swivelled around my waist to face that handsome face of darkness and danger, and all I saw was gentleness… and guilt. And everything that I wanted to say vanished instantly. He gave my cheek a light push and I was facing the bathtub tap again. ‘Stop distracting me.’ His voice was hoarse again, as though he was resisting the pain inside. I stared at the plastic wrapping around the sling—the added protection to my injured arm–and the tears swarmed up to my eyes again. ‘Fuck,’ he growled—his fingers paused. ‘Are you hurting again?’ The same fingers were about to lift from my scalp when I sniffed again and chuckled. ‘I’ve never felt better.’ I flipped around again to show him—a bright smile on my face. But it didn’t make the knit in his brows go away. He pushed the same cheek, turning my face away, and resumed massaging my foamy scalp. ‘You’re good at this,’ I whispered, trying hard to send a reassuring smile through my voice. And he replied in the same serious
[Juliette’s POV] ‘I used to think I’m good. I’ve got the Virtus’ gift afterall. The born strategist who’ll lead the family.’ A dry chuckle strangled the cool air around us, particularly him. ‘But I’ve done enough to be undeserving of…of an heir.’ Silence constricted the air. I turned to snuggle my cheek against his shoulder, wanting to refute him, but he wouldn’t let me. ‘So it’s not your fault, Juliette. It’s….’ The swell in his throat bobbed furiously against the back of my head. The muscles in his body tightened. ‘It’s all me.’ I finally got around to face him, my freed hand cradling his strong, righteous jaw. ‘We’ll keep trying then.’ His hand covered mine and pressed my palm deeper into the warm skin of his face, as though wanting me to feel the rush of blood beneath it, to tell me that he’s a person, not the devil he was made to be. ‘I don’t care what you are, Ralph Virtus,’ I whispered fiercely. ‘I love you too. I love you. Got it?’ I tilted my face a little to ma
[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