The Billionaire's Unexpected Desire

Chapter 3: The Familiar Voice

Julian's conversation with his friend, Alexander, was interrupted by an urgent call. Apologizing, Julian excused himself and stepped out of the club, answering the call as he turned to leave.

"Julian, we have a situation," his associate, Victor, said, his voice low and serious. "Your stepmother, Victoria, has been spotted on the black market. We need you to come immediately."

Julian's expression darkened. His stepmother's involvement in his illegal business was a concern he couldn't ignore. He nodded, even though Victor couldn't see him. "I'm on my way."

The black market was Julian's secret empire, a world few knew about. It was a place where anything was possible for a price. The market had a hierarchy, with the red card being the highest and most elusive. Only three people held the red card: Julian, his bodyguard Marcus, and his top assassin, Ruth. With the red card, one had absolute power and control over the black market.

The black market was divided into sections, each catering to a specific need. There was the weapons section, where one could find anything from guns to explosives. The drugs section, where rare and exotic substances were sold. The poisons section, where deadly toxins were available for the right price. And the assassins' section, where one could hire a skilled killer to take care of any problem.

Julian's organization was the most powerful and secretive, with a network of loyal associates and members. He had built it from scratch, using his charisma and intelligence to gain control over the criminal underworld. His empire was his pride and joy, and he would stop at nothing to protect it.

As Julian turned to leave the club, he heard a faint cry. "Help me..." The voice was soft, desperate, and somehow familiar. Julian's eyes widened in confusion as a petite woman fell into his arms. He caught her, holding her close as he looked around the club, expecting to see someone searching for her. But there was no one.

Julian's confusion turned to curiosity as he searched her for a wallet or phone, trying to identify her. But there was nothing. No identification, no phone, no wallet. It was as if she had come to the club alone, with no intention of being found.

Julian's eyes returned to the woman, his mind racing with questions. Who was she? Why did her voice seem so familiar? He stared at her, trying to remember where he knew her from. But the more he thought, the more elusive the memory became.

After a few minutes of deep thought, Julian made a decision he usually wouldn't. He would take her home with him. He carefully lifted her into his arms, bridal style, and carried her out of the club.

As he approached the car, he called out to his bodyguard, Marcus. "Get the car ready, Marcus. We're leaving."

Marcus's expression was confused as he saw Julian carrying a woman, but he said nothing. He opened the car door, and Julian carefully placed her in the back seat.

As they drove away from the club, Julian couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't imagine. The woman in his arms was a mystery, and he was determined to uncover her secrets."Drive to my house, Marcus," Julian instructed his bodyguard, "not my family's."

The car glided through the streets, eventually turning into a quiet neighbourhood. Julian's house came into view, its castle-like structure imposing yet inviting. The exterior walls were made of stone, with tall windows that seemed to stretch up to the sky. A small garden and waterfall adorned the front, creating a serene atmosphere.

As they pulled up to the house, Julian carefully lifted Sophie into his arms, carrying her in bridal style. Marcus didn't follow them inside, instead parking the car and remaining outside.

"Wait here, Marcus," Julian instructed, "I'll take it from here."

Marcus nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings before returning to the car.

Julian entered the house, carrying Sophie through the heavy wooden door. The interior was warm and cosy, with dark wood furnishings and plush carpets. A fireplace dominated one wall, with a large stone mantle and a fire crackling in the grate. The air was thick with the scent of wood smoke and leather.

Julian carried Sophie up the stairs, her limp form nestled in his arms. The stairs curved upward, lined with family portraits and tapestries. At the top, Julian turned into a bright, airy room, its walls painted a soft white. The bed, a massive four-poster, stood against one wall, its duvet a soft, inviting cloud.

Julian gently placed Sophie on the bed, her head lolling against the pillows. He stood back, finally taking a moment to study her face. Her eyebrows, perfectly shaped and slightly furrowed, framed her closed eyes. Long lashes cast a shadow on her cheeks, and her small nose seemed to twitch with each soft breath. Her lips, thin and kissable, were painted a deep red, a stark contrast to her pale skin.

....Julian stared at her for a long time, his eyes drinking in her features. He couldn't help but notice the way her hair fell across her forehead, the curve of her cheekbones, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest. He felt himself getting lost in her beauty, his mind wandering to the possibilities of who she was and what she might be hiding.

But as he stood there, he realized he was doing exactly what he had scolded himself for earlier - getting too caught up in a woman's beauty. He had seen beauties before, and compared to them, Sophie's features were ordinary. He shook his head, chiding himself for his foolishness.

With a final glance, Julian dimmed the light and turned to leave the room. As he reached the door, he spotted Marcus waiting at the end of the stairs, his eyes fixed on Julian with a questioning expression.

"What is it, Marcus?" Julian asked, his voice low.

"Victor called sir," Marcus replied, his voice equally low. "He wanted to know if you were on your way."

Julian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing back to the conversation he had with Victor earlier. Victoria, his stepmother, had been spotted on the black market. He had promised to investigate, but Sophie's arrival had distracted him.

"I'll handle it, Marcus," Julian said finally, his voice firm. "You can go rest. I'll take care of it from here."

Marcus nodded, his eyes never leaving Julian's face. "Very well, sir."

Julian watched as Marcus turned and disappeared into his room, his mind already turning to the task at hand. He climbed the stairs to his room, his laptop already open on his desk. He dialled Victor's number, his eyes fixed on the screen as the surveillance footage from the black market appeared.

"Victor, what did you find out?" Julian asked, his voice firm.

"Victoria was at the black market, sir," Victor replied, his voice equally firm. "She purchased a large quantity of Digitalis purpura(poisonous flower) It seems she's planning something big."

Julian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. What was Victoria up to now?

"I understand," Julian said finally, his voice cold. "Keep an eye on her, Victor. I'll take care of it from here."

The line went dead, and Julian continued to stare at the screen, his eyes fixed on Victoria's image. What was she planning, and how was he going to stop her?

The question echoed in his mind as he sat there, the only sound the soft hum of the laptop and the crackling of the fire downstairs. Julian's eyes never left the screen, his mind racing with possibilities