Bound By Greed (on hold)

Bound By Greed

Prologue

Isabella and Marcus huddled together in the dark alley-after polishing off the last few scrapes of food available to them.

Isabella hugged her now obscenely large stomach, her hands feeling the vibrations of her precious child's kick. Her poor baby; a baby that would grow up in the streets, maturing to a young adult with nothing, only to fall back into the same viscous cycle that they had been thrust into.

How she wished she could have more- not just for her, but her beautiful family as well.

She looked to her left to find Marcus huddled close to her side, his large arms encircling her rather enormous stomach. She fiddled with his fingers, running her hands along his strong jaw and through his dirty blonde hair.

'If only they could have more.' She thought as her eyes automatically found they're way to the stars that loomed above.

"Wishing upon a star will not get you what you desire, Isabella." Said a deep velvety voice that seemed to surround her and drown her in a euphoric haze.

Her head snapped up to a large figure, a mere meter away from her. She opened her mouth to scream, but all that came was a mere gasp of surprise.

The figure chuckled-a deep throaty sound that made her weak in the knees.

"I can give you everything you desire." The man said, as he took a small step forward, revealing a beautiful face. One with high cheekbones, a straight nose, a strong jaw and the most mesmerizing gold rimmed eyes. They were more and more beautiful the longer you looked at them, the gold moulding into a light green as it moved closer to the pupil.

As for his physique, he looked like he could be one of those models she had spotted on the billboards that were scattered across the city. He was far taller than six feet, she estimated. His stance emanated power, as his broad shoulders showcased his regal stance. Isabella couldn't understand how he could have shoulders so strong, yet be so tall. He was in no sense lanky.

His clothing did not reflect the elegance and poise he held in his stance, though. He wore a tight black shirt, that showcased his arms- which were ripped with muscles that looked as if they could crush anything in their path.

She took her time taking in the slight stubble on his chin and the way his lips would curve up slightly every time her eyes would wander back to his chest.

Overall, he couldn't be older than nineteen but by the way he held himself she assumed his age did not reflect the amount of power he held.

He ran a hand through his messy obsidian hair. "I can give you everything you desire Isabella. I can give your family riches beyond your wildest dreams. I can give you the opportunity to swim in wealth and stand above those who put you in this wretched hole, you call life."

Isabella was so mesmerized by his words she couldn't bring herself to say no. She couldn't say anything, it was as if her body had shut everything out and all she could see was the man before her.

"All I have," he continued," is a very small price."

This snapped Isabella out of her revere. "What is that?" She asked quietly.

At her words, a grin spread across his flawless face. "I need your child."

Her jaw dropped. No one was taking this child from her. No one.

At her expression he quickly added, "In eighteen years."

Isabella was taken aback, how dare he ask for her baby?

"She may not even reach eighteen, living in a place such as this one." He said, his eyes wandering around the alley before making their way back to Isabella.

She hadn't thought of this before. " She?" Isabella questioned.

He smiled, flashing a set of devastatingly white teeth. "It's a girl!" He said feigning excitement.

Isabella looked down at the rags she wore. She wouldn't want to bring a child into the world under these circumstances. What did she have to loose? If her baby died before getting to see the world, she would never forgive herself. But, if they had the chance to live, would she grow to terms with this deal?

"Yes." She said aloud before she could stop herself.

His grin grew wider. "Good." He said his smile never faltering.

He bent into a crouch before her, and placed a warm hand over her stomach. " Close your eyes Isabella, and when you wake up this will all be but a memory."

She fought the alluring idea of sleep for mere moments, before dark spots began to swim along her vision and her eyelids grew heavier, and heavier. But before she fell into a deep slumber, Isabella heard seven words that would haunt her dreams until the day she passed.

"I will finally have what is mine."