[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
[Ralph’s POV]She was trying hard to please me. Was it out of fear that I’d leave her?The revelation jolted upright and held her face to take a good look and a tear rolled down her steamed cheek. ‘Did you not hear what I said? I’d kill myself if you got hurt—.’ Two round purple eyes glistening like diamonds glared at me. ‘Did you not hear what I said? I said we’ll keep trying!’ More tears rushed down. ‘I want to have your baby. Do you not understand that? You fucking idiot!’ My throat thickened. Does she not understand that some things can’t be rushed? I want a child too. But even more, I want her by my side eternally. How the hell can that happen if she twisted her other arm?!Calm down. I brushed the hair from her face and held it more firmly. Then, I kissed her pouting lips. Her lashes battered in forgiveness. So I kissed her again and, immediately and eagerly, she kissed me back. When the kiss ended, I scrutinised her face, every curve and shape, as my thumb felt the plumpnes
[Juliette’s POV]A thick file slapped on the desk and the bird shit of chubby clasped hands dropped on it. The school principal sighed with the smirk of a landlord. “Miss Lux. This is the sixth time Dante took one of his school peers as his personal punching bag.”I gave a nod. “Yes. And this is the sixth time you allowed a bully roam the innocent corridors of this sacred institution. Seriously, I am deeply troubled by your incompetence, Principal Wayne.’ Those slimy eyes widened in shock. Fumes of accusation blew from the crocodile’s nose. “How dare you—.” I stood, pressed my palm on the desk and leaned over to shove my deadpan face in that surprised round face of sagging cheeks.“HOW DARE YOU,” I snarled. “What if it was Christopher? And they called him the ‘sons of town killer’?” I was boring a hole through his oily forehead. “Would you let it run up to six fucking times?”Yes, you piece of shit: I’m the ghost of your Christmas past. Think I won’t dig up on you before coming her
[Juliette’s POV]Skirt up, thighs widened, feet on the wooden top, I opened up nicely for him. The memory of his magical skills nearly busted my heart out of my ribcage. “Ralph… hurry….” Why isn’t he doing anything but… watching? God, it’s so erotic, I could just come with it. My knees felt weak so he grabbed them to keep them apart. Wide apart to continue the full view. And the longer he waited, the more nervous I got, the more soaked I was down there. “Are you going to train the kids too?” He asked out of nowhere. “To carry themselves better in the name of the Virtus. Yes—.” I swallowed a breath. “I’ll train them the same way we do—oh shit!” He kissed my aching desire—right in the middle. Then his fingers spread the lips and he started French kissing. “Oh mmph!” The pleasure was too much. Zapped the energy out of my limbs. He paused and muttered, “Keep talking, kitten. Your proposal.” Jesus…. I swallowed another breath, but another wave of euphoria swarmed up my throat, clog
[Juliette’s POV] “They’re ready for you, Miss Lux,” a polite voice pierced through. I blinked. And just like that, with the click of the closed door, the bubble burst. Everything vanished into thin air—my past, my dreams, my future. Nothing remained, except the silhouette in the mirror. It surfaced, growing vividly and sharper until a woman stood before me, her purple sapphire eyes observing me with an empty look. I heaved a silent, despondent sigh at her, and the woman’s breasts rose and fell with the same despair. I traced the slender curves of her exquisite white gown, going through every stitch and sparkle, every contour of the sheer tulle overlay. By the time I reached that massive Mikado silk cascading off her waist, a huge ball of hotness had burned the back of my eyes and nose. Hastily, I sucked in my deepest to push back the heat of grief and lock up the tears. No matter what happens, a deep voice of wisdom echoed in my ears, don't show it, Juliette; don't ever let th
[Juliette’s POV] For someone who reads lots of romance novels, I’d take the slightest detail and exaggerate it romantically. Worse, I’d catch the tiniest spark of response and interpret it as an attraction. I noticed the wavy top of his short dark hair in a nice, clean sweep to the back—which was different from the sexy mess it was yesterday—and was immediately flattered by the extra effort. Then I started admiring him—just as I did yesterday. Whether it was a boring business suit or a midnight blue tuxedo, he could easily pass for an exotic prince or an elegant British spy. Even with that fierce gaze, he looked nothing like a mafia or a devil. Pfft! I mentally rolled my eyes as my feet kept gliding along the plush carpet of the aisle. Now I know why Papa forbade me to peruse that form of literature—it makes your female hormones go wild unnecessarily; it would only be a matter of time before I was trapped in The Devil’s spell, thinking that I was in love