Chapter 1

• Bella’s POV
• It was a stormy night with thunder bolts that lit up the sky every time it would strike and make that loud boom noise that causes someone jump out of their own skin. I hated weather like this, all I wanted to do was be in my own bed sleeping instead of driving in this horrible weather in an unknown state, headed to a strip club to pick up my father (Frank) before he either tries to drive, start a fight, or lose all his money. The first question that pops up in my head, is how in the hell did a family vacation turn into me babysitting my dad. Some things never change I guess that is the reason why we have such an unhealthy father/daughter relationship. My whole life I could only remember my dad being sober maybe a hand full of times. Truth be told the only reason why I’m on this “family vacation” was because he threatened to quit paying my tuition at the University of Huntsville (UAH) where I attend college. Frank knew that I needed his money and he liked to hold it over my head.
• So, after his threat, and a short plane ride, here I am in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gail my father’s girlfriend was also with us. Daddy has a type of woman he goes for, their always young, not to smart, beautiful, and a gold digger. All of his women in the past and present tense just want his money. I found out he was at a strip club when he had called me about an hour ago. When I picked up, all I could hear was him laughing and sounds of someone else panting. As soon as I said hello there was a woman’s voice on the other end demanding that I come pick them up since daddy was too drunk to drive. At first, I told them to get a taxi, but father’s voice came over the phone stating, “if I wanted him to keep paying for everything to get my ass up and come pick them up now.” My GPS alerting me that I have reached my destination brings me out of my thoughts.
• Before I pulled in, I could tell this club was jumping by all the cars. After parking the car I grab my phone and dial my dad’s number. He doesn’t answer, so I try about five more times. I send a couple of text messages telling him I was outside waiting for him to come out. Still no response, I started getting frustrated sitting in the car waiting. When all of a sudden there was a knock on my car window scaring the shit out of me. I peek out and see a pretty girl who looks like she is in her young 20’s. She motions for me to put down my window, which I oblige. Once I get the window down halfway the girl starts telling me, “Hi, my name is Lexi I’m a friend of your dads. I seen his phone lighting up with your name and didn’t want you to be sitting out here wondering what the heck was going on. I just wanted to let you know that he’s in there drunk playing poker and losing his ass off. You might want to go in there and get him.”
• I let out a loud groan I glance up at her and tell her, “thank you for letting me know. Can you take me to where he is at, please?” She nods her head, so I turn off the car and get out. I suddenly remember what I’m wearing and I get a little bit embarrassed because all I had on was a pair of lavender silk pajama short shorts and a lavender silk tank top, a rain jacket and rain boots, no bra or panties. I was already in bed almost a sleep when he called, and I hadn’t expected to be getting out of the car. So, I didn’t see the need to change my attire before I left. I stop dead in my tracks, Lexi notices and looks back at me before she questions me about what I’m doing. “I thought you wanted me to take you inside, why did you stop?” I could see the confused look she had. “Lexi look at what I’m wearing I’m not dressed to go in.”
• She starts to laugh and I really feel stupid then, between breaths she tells me. “This is a club almost everyone in here is drunk by now, so they won’t be paying any attention to what you are wearing. Now come on.” I hesitantly pick up my pace and follow in right behind her. Once we get inside, I see a big stage in the center of the room. There is floor to ceiling mirrored walls going all the way across the side of the club. A DJ booth sitting in the corner on the right. To my left is where the bar goes all the way across that back wall. There are chairs lined up around the huge stage, and pub tables scattered throughout, and a few booths lining the side wall by the pool tables. I watch as men start throwing bills up on the stage and I can’t help but think to myself, ‘I wonder how much money I could make stripping? Then I wouldn’t need anything from my sorry ass sperm donor.’
• Everyone is staring at the two of us as we walk to a door that is beside the DJ booth. The sign hanging above it that reads VIP Lounge. Once we enter this section of the club I immediately see slot machines lined up against every wall, in the middle of the room there are two craps tables, two roulette table, and three rolls of poker tables playing various poker card games. The women in here are all dressed up in fancy dresses wearing diamonds, and the men are all wearing suits. I stick out like a soar thumb. I keep my head down not wanting to draw any attention to myself. I can’t help but wonder what type of business these people are in, because everyone I see all look to be wealthy.
• Life of a bad hand