Page 6 of Bound to the Crime Lord

“Get Leo and Willard to watch her. I want her every move followed, am I understood?”

The perplexed look on his face was valid, but I didn’t like to be questioned, and he knew that. So, instead of asking stupid questions, he nodded.

“Of course, Boss.”

“And, Rigo?”

“Yes?”

“I would like to make a sizable donation to Grace Memorial. I’m feeling rather charitable today.”

Juliette Ballard intrigued me. She had this stubbornness to her that I wanted to very much break apart.

Ready or not Juliette, here I come.

Chapter Three

Juliette POV

“Alion doesn’t live in the jungle, well at least not now. They used to be located in all corners of the globe, before hunting and global warming came into play.” Ethan, my little brother, continued his explanation. “Now the lion, or African lion as it is called, can only be found within the borders of Africa. We do have a few varied species of lions, but the ones considered to be the true apex predators are the golden ones.”

“Like Simba?” I tried to suppress my smile when I saw his frown. “I’m kidding, E. I know what you’re talking about.”

“I can’t have my sister embarrassing me in society like this. It is unbecoming.” He stared at me in disgust. “You’re standing in the presence of a Nobel Peace prize winner.”

My heart softened. “Oh, I know. Why do you think I’m keeping you close? I want to make sure I get showered with all the wealth.”

My brother rolled his eyes. “I guess I could spare you one of my many mansions.”

“Only one?”

“Don't be greedy.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. I loved spending time with my brother. He had a way of keeping the darkness at bay.

The machine behind him beeped, signaling the end of his treatment. I reached back to the blood cleaner and switched it off.

“How are you feeling?” The reality of why we were even here in the first place set in. This was his third visit to the Grace Memorial in the past week.

“Better, I think. But we never know until the first 12 hours go by.” He reached for his iPad and started scrolling through the screen. His blue eyes took on a much somber light. He tried to put on a brave face, but I knew that these treatments also put a strain on his body.

“Things will get better, Ethan.” I didn’t really know that for sure, but I was hopeful. I had to be hopeful. That was the only thing I could do. I had read up on his condition countless times, but less than 500 people in the world had what he had. It was incredibly rare, and very difficult to treat.

What good was a medical degree for if I wasn’t even able to save my brother?

Ethan was only 19 years old. People his age were out partying and getting wasted with their friends. They talked about the future and being hopeful for what was to come in their lives. He shouldn’t be in a hospital bed fighting to make it to next week.

Life was so unfair.

The door to Ethan’s room opened and in walked Adam, his doctor. “Juliette, can I speak to you outside, please?”

The smile slipped from my face, but I made sure to place it back on when I turned to Ethan. “Sure. Hey, E, I need to head out, you can go ahead with the documentary if you want.”

“Okay.” He pressed play and dove into the exciting world of jellyfish.

I stood from my seat, my chest already feeling heavy from the conversation that was about to take place. I walked out of the room, leaving Ethan to watch his video. Adam stood on the other side of the hallway with a grim expression on his face.

“He’s not getting any better, is he?” My heart sank.

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