Rebel & Her Beast

by Queen Pen

  I put Phillip in drive and headed towards daddy’s house. We were both leaving town for a few days and I wanted to check in on him before we left. I enjoyed the high mountain views with the snowcapped tops as I cruised by the many smoke shops, coffee shops, and boutiques. I loved living in Denver because it matched my personality perfectly, low key and chill. It also didn’t hurt that I could legally get my fill of the finest weed this country had to offer and in every variety.

  I know y’all probably thought I was a pure good girl up until now but Mary Jane was my one guilty pleasure. My best friends and family worried that I would get carried away with it because I used to be a drug addict, but that wouldn’t the case. I would never go back to heroine. I quit cold turkey as soon as I was freed from Madame’s brothel. I never craved it and I never liked the way it made me feel. I did, however, need something to relax me and take my mind off the horrors of my past and that was where a nice, fat blunt would come in.

  The perfect night for me would be eating some edibles or smoking a couple of blunts by myself and then getting lost in one of my books until I fell asleep. I was a loner like that. Even though Ryder and I lived together, I spent a lot of time alone. It was how I was most comfortable and what I was used to. Having Ryder around, along with her family and friends, who I somehow inherited was slowly changing that, but it was an uphill battle.

  I pulled into my daddy’s driveway and smiled up at the two-bedroom home, happy that he didn’t hesitate to move to Denver when I did. We were close like that. My mother died after I was born, so it was always just him and I. When I was away for all those years, the only person I dreamed of seeing, was my daddy. I loved him more than anyone in this world, so I was elated that he was only a forty-five-minute drive from where Ryder and I lived up in the mountains.

  I grabbed my purse and got out of the car. I walked up the stone path to the front door as I dug for my key in my purse. The small blue purse couldn’t fit much, but I somehow always lost my keys in it. By the time I found the key and was inserting it into the lock, the door swung open and Daddy was standing on the other side smiling down at me.

  “Couldn’t find your key again?” His deep voice boomed.

  “You know me so well,” I laughed as I walked into the house and gave him a hug.

  My father was the coolest old man you would ever meet. He reminded me a lot of King, Prince’s father. They both had that old man swag but where King was a literal street king, my father was a straight-laced corporate king.

  My father, Marcel Marino, was one hundred percent Italian with tanned skin and jet-black hair that was always slicked back. We both had the same blue-green eyes and thick eyelashes. He was about six feet tall and for a man in his mid-fifties, he didn’t look a day over thirty. If I could describe my daddy in one word, it would be suave. He was charming and could talk the panties off a Christian woman at church on a Sunday. That was probably why he was such a successful lawyer. He was the reason I was in law school now and I had big shoes to fill, that much I knew.

  I walked into the house and made my way to the cozy living room where I plopped down on the couch with Daddy right behind me. He sat down in his favorite chair in the corner and flipped the TV off. “What brings you over here, Bel?”

  “I just wanted to stop by before we both leave town,” I said.

  He raised his eyebrow up to me suspiciously. “It’s a Saturday morning. Knowing you as well as I do, this is your time to study. Why aren’t you at the library?”

  I smiled at how right he was. I sighed, “I was there but Cameron showed up again.”

  I rolled my eyes to the ceiling as my father let out a chuckle. I told him everything, so he was well aware of Cameron’s advances. The problem was, he thought that I should go on a date with him. As close as he and I were, the one thing I never talked about with him was my time as a sex slave. He knew the bare minimum about it, that I was forced to work in a brothel and forced to use drugs. He didn’t know the horrors I went through in detail though, so he couldn’t fully understand why I was not going to go on a date with anybody, let alone Cameron’s arrogant self.

  I eyed my daddy in a way that told him not to start. He put his hands up in mock surrender and smiled at me, “what time does your flight leave?”

  “At two this afternoon so after I leave here, I am going to finish packing and then cram some studying in before I leave for the airport.”

  “Bel, you’re already at the top of your class. You work so hard, allow yourself this summer to take an actual break.”

  “I know, daddy. I just want to stay ahead of my game. I don’t want to fall behind next semester.”

  “You were the top of your class in your first year and you will be next year, too. That won’t change if you allow yourself some time to rest. Why don’t you re-read the Harry Potter books or something,” he said, causing me to crack a smile.

  “I am due for another read through of those,” I laughed.

  “How many times have you read those damned books anyways?”

  I tapped my index finger on my chin and thought about it, “I would say about thirteen times if you include listening to the audiobooks twice.”

  “Maybe you should give some other books a chance,” he chuckled.

  “There are a few that I’ve been wanting to dive into. I really want to read that new book by Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give.”

  “Even I’ve read that one, Bel. You’re slackin. Isn’t that what the young people say?”

  “Oh my gosh, dad. Don’t ever say that again,” I laughed loudly.

  He smiled, “you look just like your mother when you laugh like that.”

  “That’s what you always tell me,” I shrugged.

  My mother wasn’t exactly a sore topic, I just couldn’t connect with a person I never met. Daddy always talked about her. He still loved her, and he hasn’t moved on to anyone new. At this point, I didn’t think he ever would. He still had their wedding pictures around the house and there wasn’t a day that went by where he didn’t mention her.

  “Well it’s true. She had beautiful mahogany brown skin with dark brown eyes, but that is the only difference.”

  I was mixed with black and white, but I was very light. My dad was naturally tanned from his Italian roots, so I was closer to his color than the color that my mom was. Still, he was right. I’ve studied my mothers’ pictures and it looked as if she spit me out. We had the same strong jaw line, perfectly arched brows, full pink lips, slanted oval eyes, and straight pearly white teeth. There was no doubt that she was my mother.

  As a child, I used to imagine that she actually wasn’t my mother and that my real mother was out in the world, alive, and waiting for me. I told this to Daddy once and he shut that idea all the way down. He hated the fact that I wished for that and in return, I hated it as well. My dad meant the world to me and the last thing I wanted to do, even at such a young age, was disappoint him.

  “I know, Daddy,” I decided to change the subject. “Where are you going this time?”

  He threw his head back and laughed, “you know the rules, Bel. I can’t tell you that. I work with some of the most dangerous people in the world and the less you know, the better. Just in case.”

  “I always hated that rule,” I huffed.

  Daddy laughed but didn’t respond. I stood up and walked towards him. “I’m going to get going so I can pack. Have a safe trip. Let’s do lunch when you get back.”

  Daddy stood up and wrapped me in a hug, “Alright, sweetheart. Call me when you land, so I know you made it safe.”

  “I will.” I grabbed my purse from the couch and made my way to the door, with Daddy following behind me.

  I opened the door and started towards my car when daddy said, “I wish you would let me buy you a better car.”

  “And get rid of Phillip? Never.” I grinned at him and he shook his head.

  “Take care, Bel. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  I waved at him as I got into the
car and drove towards home, glancing at him in the rearview mirror before I turned the corner and he disappeared from sight.

  Two

  I

  hated flying. I thanked God as soon as the wheels touched down on the ground in Vegas. I shook my head at the things my friends could get me to do. Here I was, flying to Vegas, somewhere I had never been before nor had the urge to go, for Doc and Maddey’s birthday party. Not to mention, I didn’t even know them. I’d met them once or twice, sure, but I wasn’t their friend. The only reason I was doing this was because Noella had begged me.

  I smiled at the thought of Noella. That was my baby. She was only a few years younger than me, but I was the oldest out of all my friends at twenty-six years old. Noella and her twin sister, Briella, were two of my best friends, along with Ryder, but Noella and I had a special bond. I think it was because we understood each other. We had an instant connection, when she was at rock bottom and I saw myself in her.

  Relieved to be off the plane, I waited for my bags at baggage claim as I texted my dad to let him know I made it. I also texted Noella to let her know what door I was at since her and Amir were picking me up. I waited patiently for my bag as I scrolled through Facebook. I peeped that Rori and Careena were kickin it together in New York where they both lived now. I missed my girls. They were more than friends to me. Those two were my sisters. We’ve been through hell and back, but our bond was stronger for it. I sighed as I made a mental note to get on another plane to go visit them soon.

  My bag finally came down the carousel and I struggled to grab it as people stared at me without helping. I was really small, so for them to see me struggling with a bag almost as big as me was rude as hell and also embarrassing.

  I finally got control of my suitcase and quickly exited the airport without making eye contact with anyone. I cringed at how stupid I must have looked. I stopped and looked around for Noella and Amir so I could get out of there. It didn’t take me long to spot Amir’s truck because Noella came bursting out of the passenger side door when she saw me. I laughed as she lunged herself in my arms almost knocking me over.

  “Hi baby!” I squealed.

  “Don’t ever stay away that long ever again!” She yelled in my ear.

  I laughed, “Noe, I had school. I didn’t have time to—”

  “I haven’t seen you since Spring break! That was four months ago!” Noella glared at me and then burst into tears.

  Alarmed, I grabbed her around the shoulders, “Noe, what’s wrong?”

  Before she could respond, Amir appeared behind her and grabbed her by the waist as he kissed her then looked at me. “Hey Rebel.”

  “Hey Amir. What’s wrong with your girl?” I eyed Noella skeptically.

  Amir glanced down at her and laughed, “Don’t mind her ass. She been doing that shit all the time lately.”

  “It’s your fault!” Noella flung her head back, so it connected with Amir’s chest. It looked like it hurt her more than him, though, as she winced and rubbed her head while looking back at me. Without saying anything else, Noella lifted her loose shirt to reveal a small baby bump.

  I gasped as my eyes went back and forth between her belly and her tear stained face.

  “Oh my God!” I screeched as I hugged her.

  We were both crying as I released her. I was so fucking happy for her and I marveled at how far she’d come in the past eight months. I wanted this life for her so badly, she deserved it and I was proud of her for taking it.

  “Yep, that’s right! She let me put a lil mini me in her,” Amir smirked as Noella elbowed him.

  “You’re having a boy?” I asked excitedly.

  “We don’t even know yet. I’m only three months,” Noella rolled her eyes. “I could be carrying a girl, then what?”

  “Then I’ll have to keep trying until I get my son,” Amir teased. He let go of Noella’s waist and reached for my bag. I let him grab it as I followed Noella to the car.

  I climbed in the back seat and was surprised when Noella did the same. Amir got in the front and looked back at Noella like she was crazy. “So, I’m a chauffeur now?”

  “Babe, I haven’t seen my girl in months! Let me live,” Noella huffed out as I mouthed sorry to Amir. He shook his head and chuckled as he pulled off into traffic.

  Noella filled me in on what I’ve been missing since I’ve been in school. I was so happy that she was going back to school and taking summer classes. She was set to graduate before she gave birth. I was also happy to hear that Briella’s catering company, Queen Eatz was thriving. It felt good to be back in the presence of my girl and I was excited for Ryder to touch down later, so the whole crew would be back together.

  Before long, we were pulling up to the Dynasty Towers which were the twin hotels that Maddey and Doc just opened. I didn’t know much about Noella’s brothers, but I was impressed that they owned not one, but two hotels on the strip in Las Vegas. They were beautiful tall glass buildings in the middle of the strip, and I couldn’t lie, I was excited to see the room I would be staying in.

  “Wait until you see this place, Bel. I still can’t believe they own hotels and shit now. It’s a long way from where we came from, that’s for sure.” Noella said with a goofy grin on her face.

  I briefly found myself wondering how nice it would be to be so rich that I could afford to buy a hotel, in Las Vegas at that. That was one downfall with these people that had somehow become more like family to me, than friends. They were all super rich and I always felt out of place being around them. I was a struggling college student in her mid-twenties that didn’t have much to her name. Daddy made sure my small bills were paid and if it weren’t for Ryder, I would be living in dorm rooms right now.

  The only money I had to spare came from my part time job at a library not too far from where I lived. Most of that money was spent on food and ganja, though. Compared to my friends, I was a certified bum. They never said or did anything to make me feel like that, though. Those were just my own insecurities that I needed to deal with. I had to keep reminding myself that in a few more years, I would be a lawyer with a good paying job, and I would be able to pay my friends back for everything they’d done for me.

  I was jarred out of my thoughts when Amir slammed the trunk closed, prompting Noella and I to get out of the car. She grabbed my hand and ushered me inside the hotel. I grinned at her, still in shock that she was going to be a mommy. She smiled back at me as we walked through the huge glass doors and into the cool air of the hotel.

  It was beautiful. It appeared everything was made of glass. The floor was clear with mini crystals floating beneath the surface. There was a man-made pond in the middle of the lobby made of glass with fish inside and the ceiling had crystal chandeliers dangling from them. The best part was the fresh pops of yellow that the water lilies gave from the pond and the yellow roses gave from the human sized vases spread through the lobby. Yellow was my absolute favorite color, so the scheme was really hittin’ it for me.

  The thing that really caught my eye, though, was the smoke shop named Twin Stonerz. I smiled to myself and thought, perfect. I knew I would be spending most of my money in there.

  We bypassed all of the people in the lobby and the front desk and made our way to the elevators. Noella pushed the button for the forty fourth floor and I noticed that the forty fifth floor was the penthouse. Noella leaned back against Amir on the ride up as he massaged her hips with one hand and held my suitcase with the other.

  I smiled at how in love they were. I momentarily wondered if I would ever have that feeling but the thought was cut short when the elevators opened into a hallway that matched the décor of the lobby. The crystals gleamed and shimmered as we walked down the short hallway. There were only four doors in this hall way and I could tell I was seeing something real exclusive. This floor seemed to be more intimate for guests of the owners.

  “Your room is right here, Bel. Amir and I, Bri and Prince and Ryder and Kobra are all staying on this floor.
This is Maddey’s tower, so he stays on the top floor and my brothers, Doc and August are all staying over in his tower.” Noella held a key against the electronic reader that unlocked the last room on the right.

  We stepped inside and I was taken aback by how nice the room was. The glass theme followed us into the vast room that was made from windows. The walls were all made from glass so there was absolutely no privacy. I could see straight into the bathroom with its jacuzzi tub and walk in rainforest shower. I could also see that there was a full kitchen, living room, and wrap around balcony overlooking the strip. The best part was the huge round bed covered in a yellow satin comforter. I couldn’t wait to crawl into that bad boy with a good book and a fat blunt.

  A huge smile spread across my face as I looked at Noella, “this is gorgeous but are you sure it’s okay I stay here? It’s really big and it’s only me…” I let my sentence trail off.

  “Duh. Only the best for you. Maddey and Doc wouldn’t have it any other way,” She smiled.

  “Why though? I’ve barely even met them.”

  “Probably because Noella has been obsessed with you ever since y’all became tight,” Amir rolled his eyes dramatically and I giggled.

  Noella hit him on the arm and glared at him before turning back to me, “I may have mentioned you once or twice to them. They appreciate how you took care of me in my lowest moments and they know you’re my best friend. Seriously, you are just as welcome here as any of us. You’re family now, Bel. Get used to it.”

  “If you’re sure,” I launched myself onto the bed with a heavy sigh.

  “We’ll let you get settled. Everyone else should be here within a few hours. I’m going to take a nap,” Noella said.

  I sat up just as Amir mumbled, “all she does is nap these days.” Noella glared at him again and I stifled a giggle. Noella was more irritable towards Amir than usual. I concluded that Amir had a long six months ahead of him.