[Juliette’s POV] Ralph remained silent. “Ralph!” I cried out in frustration and cursed in my head, what’s with the hesitation, damn it! “It’s confidential, Juliette!” He was gripping the wheel as tight as the veins on his arms were showing. “I don’t believe this.” I slumped into my seat with crossed arms and the look of grouch. Then, an idea came to me and I jolted upright. “Tell me the parts that aren’t confidential. How about that?” He glanced at me like I was both brilliant and crazy, then snorted in disbelief with a smile. “Alright, Juliette. You win this time.” It felt like I won because he let me. But I’ll take it. “So what is it?” I asked eagerly. He pondered for a quiet moment until his eyes lit up in recollection. “You may not like this… but it was actually your father who came to me with the contract.” I opened my mouth to refute it but then closed it again. What proof do I have to argue that Papa didn’t? Having a business connection with that dubious Micke
[Juliette’s POV] “Because it’s a McLaren,” he explained softly. “And she’ll be upset if we soiled her leather seats.” She? I blinked a few more times. He feminised his car? Frustration shooting up fast in my chest. I frowned. "You mean you'll get upset if we dirty the seats." "It's all the same," he said with a boyish grin. I groaned inwardly. What’s up with guys and cars! “I can’t believe you chose this car over me.” He flinched, looking slighted. “It’s not just any car, Juliette.” “Oh, so we’re back to ‘Juliette’, huh?” I groaned in annoyance and lifted myself off him to crawl back to my seat, when his hands landed on the side of my thighs to stop me. I glared at him like a disgruntled wife. “Oh, you changed your mind now? I’ve already lost the mood, RALPH.” Chuckling, he caressed my cheeks tenderly and said, “Let’s take a stroll.” Irritation pulled my features into a deadpan look. “Along the dusty highway? No, thank you.” “In the daisy field, kitten.” He presse
[Juliette’s POV]I felt confrontational, yet, somehow, I found myself spreading my lips into a smile before lifting it to him. "Very funny," I remarked sarcastically. His brows knitted in concern. "OK. Let's hear it. What's wrong with my idea?"Strangely, irritation seeped in. I chuckled to hide it. "Nothing's wrong with it, silly." His brows arched in the same astonishment that widened my gaze. Silly? I chastised myself. What are you gonna call him next—sweetheart?I blinked and was back to staring at the table top. Ralph lowered his voice slightly as he spoke. "Juliette, is there something you're not comfortable with? If there is, spit it out now."God, I groaned inwardly. Here goes. I looked up with a sweet smile and battered my lashes. "So how was that?"He was back to squinting at me. "I was practising." I glanced at my finger adjusting the fork slightly, then looked up again. "We're supposed to be 'very much in love', aren't we?"Those brown eyes studied me as he slowly r
[Juliette’s POV] “We’ll go when we have to.” Came the usual curt reply, which, at this moment, sounded colder than usual. “I see.” I eyed sorrowfully at the cedar trees outlining the path like cheerleaders with pom poms. I better not get too settled in for the next few weeks, or it’ll be hard to leave when I do. As soon as my mind was made up, the car entered the space in front of the main door and came to a smooth stop. Eagerly, I stepped out of the car and the cool breeze from the snowy mountains embraced my face. I caught a whiff of the forest and the heavy weight of insecurity was lifted off my chest. I turned to the main entrance, and a few figures were rushing down the steps, making their way towards me. “Miss!” The sharp squeals of joy hit my ears even before their feet touched the ground. Samantha, my personal maid, was the first to arrive, and she threw her arms around me before I could even say her name, crushing me in her embrace as though I had returned from th
[Juliette’s POV] Every adolescent eye lit up with motivation once they realised what was happening. "Run, Rollfie, run!" Tommy shrieked his loudest. I nearly choked. Rollfie? I watched in silent awe as the Mafia King, in his colossal frame, started running away from the miniature captors. He looked even more carefree than he was at the daisy field. That large grin on his face was so infectious, I found myself smiling along as well. "You know…," began Agatha. "There's something odd about that man. Firstly, he's a Virtus—and they've always been the vicious sort…." "Secondly, we heard that people called him The Devil. So we expected the worst." I looked at Agatha knowingly when she continued, "We were all scared. We've never experienced a cruel leader since the heads of the Lux family have always been wise and benevolent." I glanced at the grass in shame. As the head of the family, I couldn't even protect my own people. "Don't feel bad, Julie," consoled Agatha. "We never th
[Juliette’s POV]My feet continued moving along, struggling to keep up with those long, powerful strides. Five minutes later, the walking had calmed us down. Ralph had slowed down his pace and his grip had loosened. I slipped my fingers through his and held his hand. We arrived at the stables and Thomas was just coming through the door. When the lanky teenager saw us, he grinned broadly. “Miss Jules! I thought old Stables was joking when he said you were back!” He rushed towards me, wanting to give me a hug, when an arm stretched out to stop him. “Mr. Ralph, Sir!” Thomas gave a salute in Ralph’s direction. “Thank you for bringing Miss Jules back! We really miss her!” Ralph patted his shoulder. “Can you please excuse us, Thomas? Miss Jules and I….” He looked down at me with a meaningful gaze. “Have something to discuss.” He emphasised the last word. I threw him a glare. Ironic, since I was holding his hands tightly. “Gladly! I’ll let the others know. We’ll take a break for now.
[Juliette's POV]His lips tore away and were back on that erogenous zone below my earlobe. “Come with me, kitten,” he grunted and then kissed hard on it over and over again. My body tensed up, arching like a strained bow against him, as euphoria tore through me. “Ralph!” A tiny scream squeezed through my quivering lips, my eyes shutting tightly as another current of rapture tore through me. He finally released my hands and I hugged him close, my trembling body clinging desperately onto him. *****[Ralph’s POV]She was jealous. The second those purple eyes turned feisty when that waitress came near me, I knew. I had seen it on the faces of those women who thought I cared. But I don't give a shit about them or their plastic hearts. The cheaters, I let them go. The troublemakers, I sent them running. The fussers, I axed them out of my life. With women, it has always been a transaction: I give them the adrenaline rush of drama and power, being The Devil's woman, and they fulfil my
[Juliette’s POV] The horse throttled calmly up the slope of the Misty Hills. The cool, damp air caressed my cheeks, and the smell of it, mixed with dewy grass, leaves and soil, filled my nose, sinking my insides into a tranquil mode. The feel of Ralph’s strong arms around my waist spread my lips into a satiated smile. My back was leaning against his muscular chest, and I exhaled a peaceful sigh. We had been chatting about the time he spent here in the Lux mansion and the sights he saw during the tour, as well as the people he met, especially Tommy. He chuckled above my head. “What do you think Tommy said to me? I asked him for permission to punish his aunt, and he said she deserves to be punished.” I knitted my brows slightly. “That little rascal.” “He’s a charmer.” I looked over my head and then up at him. “You’re the real charmer, I heard.” “What?” He laughed lightly. I turned back to the front and said, “Agatha told me that Tommy’s been following you around, didn’
[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