Chapter 1
Normally, Bella loved the sound of her baby girl's voice, but today she was trying to rush. And think. And rush and thinking never mixed well for her. She tried to pack her toddler bag an pull her legs into a pair of worn black yoga pants.
As it turned out, a lot of things didn't mix well in her life. Jobs and babies. Sleep and Debt. Love and lust. Willpower and fear. Yes, a lot was either oil or water in her life. And unfortunately it was always the oil that rose to the top. And Bella was so thirsty for some water.
"Mommy?" Rubbing a hand across her face, she turned to stare into her dark-eyed, normally happy child.
"Yes baby?"
"I don' feel good." Jilly rubbed her belly anxiously.
Bella hid her wince and closed her eyes.
"Okay Jilly, is it your tummy?" She tugged her sweatshirt over her head and pulled her ponytail through. She knelt down and lightly felt her forehead. It was hot. She mentally cursed and grabbed the children's Tylenol from the cabinet. There were only a few pills left and she couldn't scrimp on those.
It was likely the flu, and rest would pass it, but she had to take Jilly to work with her. She didn't have a babysitter on call.
"Jilly," she handed put a chewable tablet in her mouth. "Chew this up baby and then we'll get you some sprite to make your tummy better, okay?"
Jilly nodded, her brown curls bouncing as she chewed trustingly. It was that trusting look that strengthened Bella's resolve every day.
She zipped up Jilly's tiny purple parka and tugged on her matching hat. Gloves followed and then she pulled and pushed her little boots on. She tied her own old Nikes and went to the counter for her spare change jar. It was ten dollars' worth of change. She never could save up more than that at a time.
It wasn't that she didn't try. She did. She just couldn't seem to break free of her mountains of debt.
Her apartment wasn't in the best area, but she had paid for the best locks and she felt proud of the way that they clicked so tightly in place as she locked up. Holding Jilly in one arm and the toddler bag and her purse slung over her other shoulder, she braced herself against the icy biting wind and pressed Jilly's face into her chest. She stumbled through the snowy Boston streets until she made it to the convenience store on the corner. She purchases a bottle of sprite, a bottle of children's chewables, and a tiny toy she'd noticed Jilly's eyes light on. And then the last of her money was gone for the week. She avoided the cashier's eyes as she pushed the quarters across the counter.
People's opinions didn't matter. All that mattered was that her baby was safe and happy. That was all she cared about. She'd had her chance at happiness and she'd blown it. But now she could make sure her girl didn't do the same.
Work was brutal. She'd been late to her first house and Mrs. Parker had no qualms about reminding her of the five minutes she would have to make up for. She had too, but cleaning houses took concentration and Jilly progressed into a sick and tired state quickly. Her second house went worse, with Mr. Robbins commenting on the noise as Jilly's normally pleasant temperament was overshadowed by upset crying.
Fortunately there had been no throwing up, but by her fifth house, Bella was on hour six and was feeling the stress riding up on her. Her back ached, her hands were dry, cracked, and burning from the bleach, and nothing she was doing was settling her daughter as she whined miserably. Bella's heart ached for her, but there was nothing she could do and so she continued to just try to soothe her.
Nine hours later, she stumbled back into her apartment to change clothes. She pulled on a polo and re-fixed her hair, giving Jilly another tablet. Then they were off to the hostel across the street. It wasn't a terrible job and they let Bella stash a play pen/bed for Jilly in the back room for her even/partial night shift. But today she was bone-tired and she just wanted to stop the world from spinning.
The night began surprisingly well. Jilly finally settled down and while she was sleeping, Bella checked on her, relieved to find her temperature had broken.
She went back to the counter and noticed two men lingering in the entryway before noticing her. Catching sight, they entered and walked up to the desk.
"Can I help you?" She tried to smile welcomingly.
"You Bella Swan?" One man's gravelly voice inquired. He was wearing an expensive looking suit but he still seemed rough. The other man, however, looked very clean cut and almost elegant.
Bella instinctively realized something wasn't right.
"Yes," she murmured slowly. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, it's not really us, more like Vincent that you need to answer to. He didn't like that you left without paying him back."
Her eyes were wide and heart racing as she tried to think.
"Wait, I did pay him back, before I left Philadelphia … I went to see him. I gave him the money. Well, I left it for him." Horror rose. "He didn't get it—because I—"
"Save it." The same brown-haired man cut her off. "He got the fifty thousand, he's just missing the ten grand interest that's been compiling."
She choked. "Ten thousand—I don't—"
"Well you'd better. Vincent didn't like that you left town without saying good-bye and he would like you to bring the money to him personally."
"I, I need more time," Bella said desperately, running a hand over her forehead.
"You have three days and then he's going to come to you. And trust me," the man's lined, rough face smiled and her stomach turned. "You'd prefer he didn't make that trip."
"Oh and before we go, a parting reminder." The tall blond man who'd been silent until this point stepped forward, past his partner and held out his hand.
She stared at the upturned palm.
"A shake." His voice was melodic. He waited.
Gingerly, Bella shook on an agreement she had no chance of fulfilling.
She could tell he saw it in her eyes too. And in a split second, he grabbed her hand and her wrist and turned them in opposite directions. With a shriek of pain, her knees gave out. He still held her hand and that made the pain turn to a fire as she dangled.
Then, he wasn't holding onto her and she dropped to the floor. The counter obscured her view, but she could hear surprised yells and cracks of bone and smacks of skin hitting skin. The door slammed open and then she could hear it swing softly closed. Heavy breathing filled the quiet silence remaining.
Footsteps walked around the counter and she was fearful of what would emerge. They wouldn't kill her before she'd paid surely?
To her surprise, a tall man with auburn hair peered around. His face was gorgeous and he had blood staining his white button down shirt straining against his impressive shoulders.
"I'll call an ambulance."
He reached for his phone and she struggled to rise, gripping the counter with her good hand.
"No," she croaked out before she found her voice. "No, I'm fine."
He looked from head to toe, resting finally on her hand. She didn't think her wrist was broken, just sprained, but the endorphins were starting to kick in against the pain and she could feel her teary eyes threatening to leak. Thankfully she hadn't heard a peep from the baby monitor. Jilly was still sleeping peacefully.
"I'll call an ambulance," he decided with a voice that she wanted to believe in. The way it sounded … like it was promising things would be okay. But they wouldn't.
"No, you will not. I'm fine, this is a sprain, they're just going to wrap it up."
"You don't know that." He seemed frustrated now. His fingers gripped his phone.
She'd forgotten herself. He had helped her. And was most likely just as dangerous as those other men, the realizations blossomed.
"Thank you, for what you did, but I'll be fine."
"They'll be back you know."
She stood gripping her forearm.
"I know."
"They'll be wanting the money," he continued grimly.
"Who are you?" She asked, desperately trying to figure out if he was a friend or enemy.
"Cullen."
"Aren't you going to ask who I am?" She finally asked when he said nothing else, trying to get a hint.
"I don't need to. I already know. You're a problem."
A/N: Soo, let me know what you thought! Reviews are always encouraged and appreciated. Thanks for reading guys!
