Chapter 5: Saved by the Mafia King

[Juliette's POV]

The limousine swerved into an unfamiliar part of the city, closer to the meeting place with M. Johnson, and I felt nervous and light-headed; nervous as I'm about to make my first business deal; light-headed as I felt like I'm about to do something terribly wrong. The ants of doubt had been crawling under my skin since I got the address from M. Johnson's PA.

Johnson is one of Papa's 'silent investors'—’silent’ because they never make any public appearances. Their investment alone makes up 20 percent of our capital, which makes them collectively the third major shareholder of Lux Corp, but no one knows of their existence, or their involvement with Lux Corp. I've never met one, but Papa talks about them a lot, especially M. Johnson—mostly because his pocket is the deepest, and he's the most silent. 

Which makes him the perfect buyer for the ring. 

Not that I'm sparing any thoughts for the mafia's feelings, nor do I care about his stupid rules; I just don't feel particularly proud of myself needing to sell a personal item to raise a measly 7.9 million. Our last exchange floated to my mind and agitation rose sharply inside me. 

A ‘loving wife’? I’ve already given up my dream of marrying for love to marry him AND agreed to sleep with him to give him a child; now I have to spend my love on him! Nothing’s enough for him, isn’t it! 

The limousine stopped, and I threw open the door and stepped out, ignoring Andy the chauffeur, and slammed the door shut as though it would smack into that mafia’s face. Take that, you asshole! I cursed in my head. 

I checked the time on my phone. The journey had taken fifteen minutes of my precious time, so I needed to hurry, and my legs whisked me off to the entrance of the restaurant. I pushed back the heavy glass door and strode into what appears to be the lobby of a hotel—except it was completely empty. 

Isn’t this a restaurant? I moved further into the space for more clues as to where to go. 

SNAP! The door locked behind me. 

I spun around, and two lean men in Hawaiian shirts barricaded the only exit to the room. Their strange smiles made my hair stand, and a voice in my head urged me to run. I swivelled around, and there were no windows in this room! I’m trapped!

Feet rushed in and around me, men in different casual clothes of various heights and sizes, and the ants under my skin were now scurrying. But the thought of Papa slowed them down again.  

I will sell the ring, get the money and settle Papa’s bills. Since I can’t make a run for anything now, I might as well make the best of it. I swallowed the lump of fear in my throat and said in a mustered confidence, "I'm looking M. Johnson." 

A chorus of laughter burst into the air as though we were in a live comedy show. 

Despite the danger I was in, my sensitivities got the best of me, and I felt irritated by the unnecessary ridicule. I was about to ask them, what’s so funny, when their heads turned to a lanky figure tottering out of the shadows, and the laughter started to drown out. 

"Mickey, she's here," yelled one of the men. 

The figure came into the light, and it was a man—no, a rockstar who had just woken up from an exhausting gig last night. 

My jaw nearly dropped in disbelief. This is M. Johnson? 'M' stands for 'Mickey'? I was expecting someone more… business like; this guy looked perpetually high on drugs, and I was beginning to understand the silence behind those 'silent investors' might actually be about some shady business. Oh, Papa! Do you even know the people you were working with?

 "Well, well," a high pitched, raspy voice broke the cold air. "It really is Juliette Lux. I thought Jake was high when he told me so."

I assumed that ‘Jake’ was the PA who liaised with me. Feeling slightly hopeful, I replied, "Yes, I’m Juliette Lux." I stretched out my hand for a handshake. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Johnson. We haven't been officially introduced, but I've heard a lot about you from my father—."

Mickey glanced down at my hand then lifted a menacing look at me, his droopy eyes filled with a certain craziness that creeps me out. "I don't give a fucks about your father, pretty thing. But I’d fuck a bitch with purple eyes….” He lingered at my breasts for a sickening while then looked up at my irked face. “But I’ve more important things to do right now." And he snapped his fingers. 

Before I could react, two strong arms clamped my elbows like thick iron chains and hoisted me closer to Mickey. 

“Call Ralph Virtus now,” he snarled, blowing his breath of acrid smoke on my face. 

I winced away and coughed, “What? No! Why would I want to… call him?” I was struggling for fresh air when a bony hand grabbed my jaw with brute strength. Sharp pain squeezed my eyes and sting them with tears as I was yanked forward. 

“CALL HIM NOW!” Those crazed eyes bulged at me with indignation. 

Why is this suddenly about that mafia again!! I screamed in my head, feeling my one hour slipping away fast. Pap! If I don’t hurry up, he'll be thrown out of the hospital!

“Alright, I call!” I whimpered in pain, and he released my jaw in a mad toss. 

“Do it!” He barked. 

Breathing deep to steady my trembling fingers, I hurriedly pulled up Ralph’s number. “Wait, Mr. Johnson.” I looked up and pleaded. “I really want to talk business with you. I have a ring—.” 

A snide cackle cut me off. “The only business I talk with women is sex—give me that!” He snatched the phone over and dialled the number.  

It rang three times and the deep voice came through the speaker in a bored tone. “What is it now, Juliette?” 

More snide cackles erupted from Mickey. “That’s one happily married man!” And the surrounding men exploded into laughter. “Can you tell how happy I am for you, old friend? I was even thinking of what to get you for your wedding gift!” And he leered at me.  

I tried to wrench myself free but the men tightened their grasp. More pain shot from my arm, tearing more whimpers from my lips. 

“What do you want, Mickey?” Ralph finally asked. 

“Well, your wife’s here with me—.” 

I stopped struggling and listened along. 

“So?” Came the aloof reply. 

Damn you, Virtus! I cursed in my head and resumed twisting my arm free.

Mickey chuckled with a growing sense of uncertainty. “S-so come get her and your wedding gift.” 

“No.” 

Mickey blasted into the phone like it was a mic and he was in the middle of a wild high note. “You son of a bitch! You better get your ass down here! Or I’ll let every one of my men fuck your wife—!” 

A chilling terror rushed down my spine—. 

BOOM! CRASH! Something shot through the main exit like a missle. 

The men holding me jumped from the spewing bricks, pulling me along. I was hurled to the ground and nearly knocked out. Someone grabbed my elbow, and, sensing that it was Mickey’s men, I squeezed my eyes shut in frantic fear and clawed and scratched desperately. I don’t want to be raped!

“Stop slapping me, damn it!” A familiar voice hissed. 

My eyes flared open and Ralph was right in front of me, looking pissed and worried. Tears of relief welled in my eyes as I huffed, “Ralph!” I gripped his arms tight. 

Those brown eyes widened briefly before returning to their usual glare as two strong arms hoisted me to a stand. It was then I noticed the silhouette of a big truck behind Ralph. Around us, the air was thickened with dust, giving us the perfect smokescreen for escape. 

But I heard Mickey’s men stirring. 

“Get in there now,” Ralph ordered softly, and I nodded. My legs felt wobbly but I found myself moving towards the vehicle. Through the haze, I saw Ben in the driver’s seat and told myself to get over there.  

BANG! A gunshot pierced the air, freezing my limbs, and then Mickey’s voice screamed, “Ralph!! You can’t hide from me, big buddy! My bullet goes through anything!!” BANG! BANG! BANG!

Instantly, Ralph’s arms closed around me protectively. I was pushed down into a squatting position to get out of the firing range as more shots hit the airwaves. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

I covered my ears real tight to shut out the noise and focus on escaping, but I was still shaking in fright, unable to move. Ralph shoved and pushed me forward. “Keep moving,” he grunted fiercely above my head. “Don’t stop.” 

I nodded mentally and tugged at my legs. They felt like concrete, but with Ralph’s help, I managed to drag them across the rubble to the truck door. Ralph opened it stealthily and pushed me through. I climbed onto the seat—. 

“RALPH!!!” Mickey screamed like a madman. 

Ralph jumped in next to me, and the truck sprung alive, backing away with the slick smoothness of a sports car. The last I saw was Mickey aiming his gun at my face and I heard an explosion. I curled up with a scream. 

*****

Minutes later, peace finally seeped into my body. I uncoiled my body and sat up, and the three of us were swerving left and right repeatedly as the truck sped out of the maze of the shady side of the city. No one said a word until we reached the expressway. 

Then, I jumped, startling both men. The windscreen was good as new so I sank in relief. 

As if reading my mind, Ben replied proudly in a lighter tone, “Bullet proof.” I felt a smile on my lips until something else popped into my mind, and then I jumped again to my left. 

What is it now? Ralph’s glare asked. 

“Papa! Oh God! What time is it? I’ve got to hurry back! The hospital!” Tears were quickly filling my eyes. “They’re gonna throw him out!” 

Ralph stared at me, speechless. “What happened?” 

His sudden tenderness caught me off guard. I swallowed the threatening onset of another emotional outburst and replied, “My father…. I need to pay the hospital or they’ll kick him out!” God! I sound so pathetic, I hate it! Recalling what happened a few minutes ago, anger shot up my chest, and I started to rant, much to the silent broad gazes of the two men. 

“Can you believe the sheer gall of that doctor?! She threatened to throw out a coma patient! A coma patient! And she’s our family doctor! And she acts as if she’s never known us!” 

The feel of another warm skin startled me. I halted mid-sentence to look down at my lap, and Ralph’s hand was covering mine. My head shot up and I stared at those striking features focusing on me. 

“Do you want my help?” He asked gently, those brown eyes searching mine.   

I swallowed, the thudding back in my wrists. Then, I drew in a knowing sharp breath and exhaled quietly, “What’s it gonna take?” 

Those kissable lips spread into the most charming smile I’ve ever seen. “Your cooperation.” 

I understood instantly. It was all for the sake of good PR. Those absurd rules make sense now. He needs me to be a loving wife to him so our happy union makes him look good with the press. But what’s his deal? Does it have something to do with the 'debt’ Papa owes him?

Never mind that for now, I snapped myself back to the present. The most important thing now is Papa’s safety. Straightening my back with an inhale of courage, I answered firmly, “Fine. It’s a deal.” 

“Excellent,” he muttered, luring goosebumps all over me. He whisked out a phone to make a call. After a string of inaudible chatter, he removed the phone from his ear and turned back to me with another alluring grin. “Done.” 

And just like that, the vengeful rage was back in me. Things used to be that easy for me, I thought. Until this man entered my life. 

“I’m going to take that look as a ‘thank you’,” the Mafia King remarked and returned to the road ahead.

I scoffed and glared at the same road just as he added, “Change of plans. We’re staying at a hotel tonight.”