[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
[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