[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’
[Juliette’s POV] The hint of disagreement across Luke’s features acknowledged my suspicions. Something was wrong. I looked up at Ralph and asked, “Why’s the CEO’s personal assistance proofreading proposals? Don’t we have managers for that?” Ralph threw an arm around my shoulder and squeezed it gently as he gazed down at me. “Juliette love—.” My right brow raised in renewed surprise. Love? “—-are you questioning my leadership now?” I caught the warning undertone of his voice and shook my head to humour him, then returned to Luke’s disoriented look with a reassuring smile. “No, I don’t, Ralph dear.” My left arm went around the back of Ralph’s waist to pull myself closer to him and sarcastically added, “I trust your judgement.” I grinned excessively up at him. Ralph returned an even grin then switched his gaze from me to Luke. “Mr. Paufertee is gifted at what he’s doing now, am I right?” I shot a curious gaze at Luke, and he smiled obligingly, nodding his head. Now, I
[Juliette’s POV] My shoulders sank in surrender. “You have my word. I won’t talk to him.” His brows finally relaxed. But they immediately knitted again, this time in concern. “Can I trust you, Juliette?” Those words and the pleading tone hit me hard. Guilt consumed me. My body remembered all that had happened between us in the past month, and my loyalty towards this man returned like an old habit. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. “Yes, Ralph. You can trust me.” I buried my face into his warm chest, feeling his human heart beating gently against my forehead, and drew in a deep breath, taking his powerful scent with me before resting my cheek on the steady thudding. His arms came around me and he hugged me back, as though it was a confession of love. And my heart melted once more. ***** After dinner, Ralph wanted to start the ball rolling for the preparations for the party . So we were in one of the lounge rooms, Ralph and I next to each other on the long c
[Juliette’s POV] For almost a minute, we gave each other the hug of a long lost friend. As soon as we pulled apart, as always, Luke ruffled the top of my head like the older sibling. He is six years older than me, so I understand the attitude. And, as far as I could recall, ruffling my head has been his favourite move. Since little, I’ve noticed that with others, Luke is more reserved with his gestures of affection. So the ruffling made me feel special—until I started having a crush on him. From then on, every time his hand reaches over to the top of my head, I’d cast a look of irritation, or move my head out of his hand’s way to avoid it altogether. Despite my persistent protests, he never grows out of it, as though I’ll always be the sister that he wanted. Now, having not seen him for a month, which has never happened before, I let him ruffle to his heart’s content. Giggling until he stopped, I looked up at him, beaming like a little girl, as he gently smoothened the strands
[Juliette’s POV]After I made Luke promise not to confront Ralph about his suspicions, he left and I returned to the party discussions with Agatha. Sensing the deadly severity of my secret mission, I wasn’t sure if I could tell Agatha, so I left out that bit in my update to her. Also feeling unsure about Ralph being in the know about my meeting with Luke, I asked Agatha to keep it a secret from Ralph, should he ask. When I emerged from the woods, I felt even more stressed out and twice as depressed. Throughout dinner, I was unusually quiet—-which, of course, Ralph took notice. So I wasn’t surprised when he took my hand after we were done eating, and suggested with a large grin that we take a stroll in the NorthWest Garden. As we walked through the hallway connecting the dining room to the garden, I snuggled closer to that familiar warmth, praying inside that what Luke said wasn’t true. I wanted Ralph to have nothing to do with Papa’s accident. But what if he really lied to me?
[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.’