[Juliette’s POV] One week later…. I smiled and waved at the limousine cruising off to the distance, whisking my husband to Lux Corp. Once it was out of sight, I whipped out my phone and dialled Ben’s number. He answered in a ring. “Are you sure about this?” the English-accented voice asked for the hundredth time since yesterday. “Yes, Ben.” I rolled my eyes at Margaret who shook her head with a kind smile. He’s like a woman, I mouthed at Margaret, and she chuckled. “Alright, alright. I’m coming over right now. See you in thirty.” And the call disconnected. I removed my phone from my ear as Margaret asked with a concerned knit of her brows. “What if the Don asked, Madam? I can’t lie to him.” “Then tell him the truth.” I turned around and hastened up the steps—and Margaret followed closely behind me. “I don’t want you to lose your job over this, Marge. I mean it.” “The Don will still fire me for not stopping you.” Our heels clicked across the large hallway. “Then I’ll

[Juliette’s POV] Didn’t take long for them to find me. But I can’t make it easy for them. Or they’ll know. They’ll know that Ben is coming back with help. I swam on. I worried that the boat might ram into me. I might get a head concussion and die. Or worse, lose my memory… and forget Ralph. Even so, I kept pushing through the currents. Moving my arms and legs. Is this how Ralph felt back then? Trying so hard, doing whatever he could, just to move forward by an inch. Even if it was less than an inch, he kept moving, going, trudging on, pushing forward. A strong shove on my back. And then, four strong arms came around my waist and underarms, and I was hauled up—fresh air rushed into my lungs and then—. ‘The Don’s wife!’ A rough voice shouted. ‘It’s Don Ralph’s wife!’ ‘Goddamn it!’ My wrists were pressed together. ‘We need to get to the boss asap!’ A cable tie came around my skin. Then, a soft zipping sound and my hands were bound. Tightly. This is it. ***** [Ben’s POV] As

[Ralph’s POV] Fucking bastard. He’s trying to get a reaction from me. I should give it to him. Humour him so I can distract him and find a way to get the women out. ‘How about me?’ Alfeo was as shocked as seeing a man naked and twirling himself around a pole. ‘What da fuck are you suggesting, Don?’ He cackled even harder and glanced at Juliette. ‘In front of your wife? You sure?’ ‘Come on, Alfeo.’ I fixed my gaze on the face that would soon crush under my knuckles. ‘You have a lot of grievances. No amount of drugs can hide it. I give you the third option—me. Do whatever you want for five minutes.’ Something clicked in his eyes. ‘Five minutes is a very long time—I can find out the taste of your woman in five minutes.’ Sick bastard. ‘Or you can beat the shit out of me—cut off my legs or some fingers—or even my balls—in five minutes.’ ‘NO!’ Juliette screamed in horror. ‘Choose Jewel! Just choose her, goddamn it, Ralph!’ SLAP!—my jaw clenched hard—the junkie bulged his angry

[Juliette’s POV] ‘I’ll see you later.’ Ralph took a step forward— and I crashed into his back, my arms around his waist, hugging him tight. He stiffened and spun around his waist. ‘For God’s sake, Juliette! Are you trying to give me a new headache?!’ ‘Stay, please. For a while more.’ I snuggled my face into his shirt, inhaling his masculine scent, and he relaxed with a helpless sigh and covered my hands with his. Finally, he got to scoop me up in his arms. Mine went back around his neck and I clutched onto him and buried my face into the crook of his neck. ‘Didn’t you say you’re handling it alone?’ He tried to lay me down on the bed but I wouldn’t let him go. I could feel something coming and it made me scared. I need him to be around. ‘Juliette….’ I rubbed my forehead against his collar. He sighed again and laid down with me. I snuggled into his embrace and his body covered mine like a blanket. I clamped his legs with mine and heard a chuckle above my head. ‘I’m sorry,’

[Ralph's POV]Cold water from the shower rained hard on me. I needed it. The reminder of my cruel reality; one where I was doubted; one where my possessions were ripped from my palms; one where everyone got their benefits from burning me alive. Ever since Juliette, I seemed to have forgotten the violent streak in my family line. The belief that violence will and can solve anything is hard wired in every single person down the bloodline. Who am I to change it? BANG!I glared at my palm flattened on the slick walls. All those eyes devouring what belonged to me. It's mine. Juliette is mine. That soft, flawless skin is meant for my eyes only. WHAM!Pain shot from my knuckles to my skull, but it was useless. The urge to kill was still strong. *****I threw the towel on the sink counter and moved to the exit of the bathroom of the presidential suite. Fuck, I miss her. I want her to imprint on my skin, become a part of me. Sick. The door slid open and I entered the living room. Yo