Chapter One

-For the one you love, would you do anything, as far as hurting them to save them? Does the end justify the means?-

[Jethro Julius]

A hand stroked against her chocolate skin. Her nose and brows crunched. She slapped the hand away before snuggling back into the worn and patched sheets. She drifted back to sleep, her eyes shut tight as she emitted a gentle snore.

He stared at her while chuckling. Cute. He thought sitting up in the creaking bed.

My beautiful future wife. You don't know how much I love you, do you? He stroked her hair. So much I could kill you. He stared maliciously reaching for her neck. She shuddered as if dreaming of his intentions.

He patted her head, smiling once more. Just a joke, dear. You're the only light, a miraculous light in this insufferable life of mine. I'd never want to hurt you. 

He kissed her lips. She rolled over, nuzzling his arm as he stroked the curvature of her hips then gripped her behind squeezing a moan from her. 

And yet the more try not to, the more inevitable it seems. His face stern as he stared down at her. Her face peaceful and innocent as she slumbered. I promised you that I'd give a you life worth living.

But no matter what I've done, something always blocks my path. As if I'm doom to be stuck in the gutters of this god forsaken district.

He glared at the message on his phone. Another business loan request denied. He sighed leaving her side to the squeaky floorboards.

I'd be fine with suffering on my own, but I have you and the promise I made. My time is running short, yet I'm not any closer. Creatures of the night scurried off the cracked walls after he flicked the light.

A slice of bread and butter though plain was his treasure and to an overgrown thief on four legs it was worthy of theft. 

A knife came down on the counter in the vermin's path. "How many times have I told you to leave my food, Stuart?" It squeaked dropping the slice and dashed into the crack in the wall where squeaks resembling laughter were heard.

He broke off the bitten portion and tossed it. "Here. Now fuck off before you wake everyone up." He flicked the lights.

His phone rang. He silenced it. She stirred in his bed for a moment. Beyond her was a curtain that separated the room. On the other side was another bed with three people under the hue of a night light sound asleep.

He sighed then exited their room into the hallway of a run-down apartment complex located in the heart of the ghetto. The moldy crack walls layered with patches let in the tickling chill of sewage through the halls.

A scantily dressed woman stumbled through the hallway. "Midnight shift again?"

"As... always Jethro." She said between hic ups and sips from her paper bag. 

"Did your boss at least give you a ride home?"

"That asshole?.. Please. I would have been…dragged into the bushes if I depended on him…Bills got you up late again huh? Shame you can't be stripper too." She banged on a door. "Baby! It's mama!"

Multiple locks clicked behind the door revealing a little boy holding an infant. He placed his finger on his lip. "That's my little man." She tried to kiss him much to his dismay as she stumbled inside. 

He answered his phone with the fakest smile he could muster "Goodnight sir...no I haven't been avoiding your calls sir... I know we're a little behind on the rent... yes I know it's three months late but… all of it by the end of this month sir is a little too… yes sir I understand."

He gritted his teeth and punched the wall. His fist stung as he stared at the dent that stood beside numerous others. Damn it all God! Why? Why God? Why! I'm behind on my promises drowning in debt and you wouldn't throw me a lifeline. Aren't I your son? He sighed. I'm wasting my breath. God helps those who help themselves.

I have no choice now. I know you'd hate this, and you deserve better than a nobody like me. Someone who can give you a better life than I can, without doing what I'm about to.

"Hello? Who is it?" Answered a woman's voice.

"It's me." He kicked the rubbish from his feet. Rats scurried.

"Jethro? Of course it's you. You're the only one who has the nerves to call me this time of night."

"I'll do it."

"Do what?"

"The deal. I'll do it. I'll be her sugar baby."