[Ralph’s POV]At this rate, I’ll fuck up everything and things will go back to square one. She’ll hate me all over again and I’ll do something terrible to her. I raked my fingers strongly through my hair and slammed the other fist on the glass panel, squeezing my eyes to suppress the fear of losing Juliette Lux. I can’t lose her. For many reasons. Something shook hard on the table and I shot a gaze at it.With a sigh, I strode back to my desk and picked up my phone, and answered it without looking at the screen. I sighed and said, “Yes, Ben.” “Finally, my nephew.” The familiar slur of a drug addict came through like the call of death. “Sandy….” I sighed, my eyes narrowing to caution. “What do you want?” “To congratulate you, my boy!” The druggie cackled hysterically. Crazy motherfucker. He’s high on drugs again. I turned to the city view to clear my head, reminding myself of the better place I’m at right now. I pushed away the doubt that was trying to snake back into my sys
[Juliette’s POV]We were soaking in a bathtub of warm, relaxing waters and fragrant foam and bubbles. I flattened my back against that broad chest, admiring the strength in those hard muscles and slipped a giggle. Man, my husband is one hell of a sexy beast. “Care to share the joke?” asked Ralph, his deep voice ringing in the steamed cavity. I ignored his question and lifted his hand, and smothered foam all over it. “I love your hands.” Behind me, he stiffened.Is he upset? I tried to turn and check on him. But he nudged me back to the front and snapped, “Stop fidgeting.” “Did I say something wrong?” I asked, genuinely concerned. After a brief silence, he muttered, “No.” I spread his fingers against mine as the silence continued. Then, he added, “I love it.” This time, I stiffened. “What do you mean?” There was fear in my whisper. He kissed the back of my neck. “What you said about me, I love hearing it.” He tucked my head under his chin and sighed. “It makes me feel… hu
[Juliette’s POV]Ralph muttered huskily, “How do you keep them straight and relaxed at the same time?” I stared at his mouth, unable to form a reply. Somehow, I felt a sexual innuendo in his words, and it turned me on.“Juliette,” he called out under his breath. I inched closer. “Hmm?” “You didn’t hear my question.” Those fine lips spread into a smug grin. I blinked and backed away as though scalded. “Shake your elbows. It helps,” I replied, proving him wrong. “OK.” He shook his elbows slightly, his face serious again. Hastily, I added, “Eyes on ball. Remember: NOTHING moves. Rotate around your waist and swing.” He followed every instruction and swung the club. *****An hour later… The game had ended and we were walking back to our golf carts. Mr. Clifford, owner of U.R.T's biggest supermarket, GreensMart, chuckled and patted Ralph's shoulder. "Old Harold always has a knack for spotting talents." Behind him, the owner of the largest pharmacy chain–father's long time fri
[Juliette’s POV] I gasped and tilted my head to give him better access, and he traced his tongue down the side of my neck to the curve that bend to my right shoulder. A shudder rippled through me. I wanted to put my arms around him and hug him close, but my arms were wrapped around the cool metal shaft. So I could only lean my neck towards his mouth. “You haven’t answered my question, Juliette,” he murmured against my collarbone. “How many times did you think of me? While we were out there.” I struggled to catch up. “I lost count!” “Naughty kitten…,” his deep voice rumbled across my skin. “I saw it in your eyes.” He nibbled the hill of skin as his hands slid up my thighs. “How many times did you imagine coming with me inside you?” “Mmm!” I whimpered. Shit! I hadn't thought of it. But the image of him making love to me out there on the teeing ground popped into my head—and drove me crazy. I became more frustrated with the restricted movement. I want to touch him, goddamn
[Ralph’s POV] At the Virtus mansion, in my study… "I put my trusted guys on the accounts. Sandy won't be able to get to any one of them." Ben looked at me from across the desk, his fingers tapping the arms of his chair. "What would you do, if you wanted money for your sustenance, but you don't have any?" I asked, my own fingers tapping my lips in ponderment. "And all the routes were cut," Ben added abstractedly. "And you're desperate." I stared solemnly at my best friend. "Shit," whispered Ben with a shocked expression. "I'm getting Juliette a phone," I said, and whipped out mine to make a note of it. "I'll get my buddy to tail her. In case she needed extra protection." Ben started tapping on his phone screen. I hate to put Juliette's life in danger. But I had no choice: Sandy's spending was getting out of hand, and we aren't earning fast enough to sustain it. I could use the Lux's fortune for the reformation, but it would compromise Lux Corp's expansion and jeopardis
[Juliette’s POV]I didn’t think it’d be that easy. But why did Karl sound as though he was getting a death sentence? I must ask him when he calls back. There seems to be something going on in the background with Papa’s email account. Suddenly, motivation filled my veins. I feel one step closer to the truth—one step closer to proving Ralph’s innocence. Wait a sec. Am I saying that Ralph is innocent? Well, anyone’s innocent until proven guilty, I defended myself, feeling like an idiot and a liar at the same time. Do I want Ralph to be innocent? Maybe starting a family with him won’t be as bad as I thought. We may be enemies but he’s potentially a good father, like Papa. And Papa chose him when he was most desperate. Desperate. My eyes lit up as an idea sprouted inside my head. Papa was desperate! Otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen someone from the other side! Ralph said that he trusted the Luxes because we’d never talk to his family. Perhaps Papa was in the same situation! P
[Juliette’s POV] I ran out of the mansion, towards the Misty Hills. I need to get away from all this. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. All I feel is a jealous rage. Over that woman who’s held him today. I’m not stupid—for the scent to linger on someone’s clothes, she must’ve spent a considerable amount of time on him. I squeezed my eyes tight. Get out of my head! I don’t want to see it! I don’t want to see him with another woman! “Goddamn it, Juliette, come back here!” Ralph thundered after me. I continued running. I won’t stop until I’ve reached my destination. I need to find peace. The air shifted behind me. I could feel him getting close. With his long legs, even with walking he could keep up with me. I need to keep moving. “Juliette! Stop right there! I’m warning you! Goddamn it!” Finally, my grievances tore through my lips. “Leave me alone!” I should’ve focused on running—the second I uttered the three words, he had caught up with me and grabbed my upper arm to s
[Juliette’s POV] “I don’t want to hear it.” But I didn’t look away. Ralph pressed my palms harder into his cheeks. “I need to buy off her share of the family business. So I went to her.” I stopped struggling. Is he talking about his reformation plans? I listened with piqued interest. He pulled me closer and whispered harshly, “She was all over me. Tried to come down on me. But I pushed her away.” More dirty images filled my mind, and anger shot back into my eyes. “I don’t believe you. Everywhere smelled of her. YOU–smelled of her.” The Mafia King dropped my hands and stepped back. Holding my gaze, he unbuttoned his shirt. “This? You smell her on this?” Once it came undone, he yanked it off and flung it away like trash. “I’ll tell Thomas to burn it.” I swallowed hard at the sight of those fine abs. His chest heaved angrily. “What else?” His eyes fixed on mine, imploring for my trust. “This?” He unbuckled his pants and took them off while seizing my gaze, not letting me out
[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.’