A person remembers their first trip to Vegas, the bright lights and how big everything seemed. But what people don't see is what happens inside the clubs. Marie Terese didn't desire to be in the line of work she was in, but when push comes to shove, she has to put food on the table. Her best friend is Gina; a girl she worked with at Iron Mask, Gina was every customers dream. She knew how to talk to anyone, seemed like an open book but what she and Marie Terese kept away from everyone was a dark secret no one should have to go through. Will they be able to get away from all the glitz and glamour of the Vegas night life?

Characters:

Gretchen- A.K.A Marie Terese a dancer at the Iron Mask

Qhuinn married to Blay (Qhuinn is covered in tattoos and pieced almost everywhere just the way his red headed hostess boyfriend, Blay, likes him.)

Gina (Extremely beautiful, strawberry blonde, Sicilian BFF of MT)

Trez (Bouncer/Owner of Iron Mask)

Richard the Reverend (Sexy drug dealer and father to MT's son Sean)

Lash (typical male made of no worth…stalker/wannabe pimp)

Vin (from the Bahamas and started a company to help those less fortunate and customer of Iron Mask)

Qhuinn

The club had been packed all night long. Qhuinn made a killing; when the girls made money, so did he. And he knew Marie was going to want to hear about this. She had been on the fence about moving here but this whole week had picked up and with convention season around the corner it was a perfect time for her to move. Plus Qhuinn could use his favorite girl around. Who couldn't love Marie? She was one of the kindest people he had met in this industry. Even Qhuinn's boyfriend liked her, and Blay's hatred for Qhuinn's job never went unnoticed. The house was still quiet when Qhuinn had walked through the door. Blay had a big client in town that must be keeping him busy, so Qhuinn quickly found Marie's number and pressed send. Her voice was still half asleep; when you've worked through the night you often forget others were sleeping at this hour. "Marie, you really should just move here" Qhuinn's voice calling Gretchen's dancer name boomed through the phone though it was barely six in the morning.

Marie shifted in her bed and changed the phone from one ear to the other "Hello to you too" a sleepy laugh echoed off the dark walls. "I know Qhuinn I know, but I just don't want to deal with Sean errr...'Richard'" his name spit like venom from Marie's lips. Her son's father went by an alias so that no one would know his real name. Only a select few knew all of Richard's secrets, like the son that bore his true full name. "Well Marie you would have made a killing to..." Qhuinn's voice trailed off. Marie could hear him talking to his mate Blay. "I'll let you go Qhuinn, Sean will be waking soon anyways."

"Okay honey, hurry up and move here. You know I miss you. Love ya." Qhuinn made a few kissing sound noises and was pushing the end call button just as Blay's lips found Qhuinns' and put that kissing noise into action.

Marie Terese

Boxes. The house was lined with nothing but boxes. "Marie do you have everything?" Gretchen went by Marie so often she answered to it without even thinking. She twisted her now died blonde hair into a braid, a nervous habit she had picked up. "Yes, Gina, thanks again for helping me pack everything" Marie looked around at everything in her now-empty townhouse. She had grown up in Caldwell, ID and her entire life was packed into the boxes in front of her. A moment of sadness constricted Marie's chest. For a small town girl who went to Vegas, just to pay for school, on the weekends this was a huge step in her life. The job paid well, but the move still weighed heavy on her heart. Marie sighed; she was moving to Nevada now and making that more permanent by even buying a house in Sin City. But the job she swore wouldn't be so permanent. She had recently started dating someone, and he seemed like a great guy, which had helped persuade Marie to move. But of course Richard hated him and didn't want their son around him. Who did he think he was? She couldn't go single the rest of her life. Besides he had moved on, so it was time for her to do the same. "I think that's everything" Gina said as she typed up the last box. Gina was always full of energy which helped snap Marie out of her thoughts. It was why Marie had asked her to help her move. Marie's smile was from ear to ear as she turned to see Sean bouncing down the steps. She needed to remain positive if not for the sake of her sanity, but for Sean. Marie nodded "Yep" and they cried "Roadtrip" at the same time. Sean laughed at his mother and her best friend then jumped into his mother's arms. He was so excited for the move. Marie pressed her lips to her son's forehead. "Let's get going" She set Sean on his feet and picked up a box taking it out to the Uhaul.

It took only a couple hours to get everything into the truck.

Vin

The flight was quick as it should be when you fly private. The phone call Vin was on was longer than the damn flight. How could so much go wrong with the deal in just a few hours? Nothing he could do about it until tomorrow though. "Okay I'll deal with this tomorrow. Make sure they know where I'm staying and to be there at 9am sharp." Vin hated to wait for anyone, he didn't even wait to hear his assistant say okay as he hung up the phone and tossed his Blackberry onto the backseat of the limo. He raked his hand over his head, thinking 'what a day'. Why was it every time he needed to get some work done something else demanded his little bit of play time? At least he was here and could take care of this problem before what he came here for demanded his full attention. He told the driver "Take me straight to Iron Mask" Right, work was going to have to wait; he knew the proposal like the back of his hand anyways. Right now he needed to escape into something mindless.

Vin was able to walk though the back door of the club and as he did the big ass male that was always there walked him through the doors and to his table. "The usual?" Trez's voices boomed over the loud music pounding through the speakers. Vin nodded. He wasn't one for talking when he was in this mood. That's why he went to this place; talking wasn't needed and his wallet was and the black Amex provided what he craved. No one came close to the table unless invited. It was another reason he went to this club, they had rules and understood he'd spend money, but at his own pace. As $10,000 showed up in dancer chips so did his bottle of Dom. Loosening his tie Vin sat back with a champagne glass in his hand. After emptying glass Vin stepped to the railing and picked out a girl. Alibi was her name, and Vin wondered why someone would pick a name like that. Vin paid her and the sexy girl got to grinding on him, but Vin just wasn't interested in her. He shook his head as she asked "What's wrong papi" Just keep quiet he whispered to himself, before taking another sip of champagne. Her ass pushed against his thick cock, but it did nothing for him. Fuck his mind really was fucked up after that call. That's when he saw her walk through the door. Paying for his alibi, the name seemed to fit, he handed her some extra chips then ushered her away from him. Vin waved one of the bouncers over and pointed "I want her."

Trez

Marie walked into the club and Trez's face lit up. She was one of the few girls he enjoyed being around in the club. She truly had a good spirit, unlike some of the other filth that worked at Iron Mask. "Good to see you" They hugged briefly. "Gina's busy for the night" Marie kindly said that she wasn't here to work. She rolled her eyes "Qhuinn's making me go out to celebrate me moving here and Gina's going to catch up with us later" Trez nodded "Be careful and call me if you need anything." He smiled and took off down the hall to do his rounds.

Marie Terese

Coming home early, though one am was hardly early for Vegas, as some were just starting to go out. She reached for her keys just as she felt someone's body press up against hers and before she could scream a hand covered her lips and a voice she'd know anywhere filled her ears. "Hello beautiful" How had she missed the brand new Bentley parked across the street? She quickly turned in his loose grip "Your son is with your mother. What is it that you want?" She watched his chiseled jaw become tense "I came to see you Gretchen"

She pushed her hands against his strong chest, but it was no use. "Well you saw me, Sean- or should I call you The Reverend like all the rest?" God his chest felt so good under her touch. What was it about this man? She needed to let go of whatever it was. She had a man, but even as she reminded herself of that it was more of a faint whisper that only made Richard smirk. "I don't see any man here taking care of you. I'd take care of you, sweet Gretchen." She wet her lips. "I don't need you to take care of me. It's Sean who needs you in his life"

"Ouch G you hit below the belt." His hips thrust forward, showing her just what he had below his belt and rubbing it against her and she was quickly lost to him. That fire she had for him never died, and right now it was burning through every fiber of her being.

Lash

Lash watched as Richard aka The Reverend's hand traveled down the woman he was dating, well went on two dates with. Still she was his. Lash had never lost a female he coveted, and he wasn't about to lose her to that piece of shit. 'That fucking whore' he cursed under his breath. She was going to pay for this. He watched as his woman didn't even put up a fight. Fuck it, he wasn't about to stay around here like some stalker. He had money to collect anyways and later he'd collect what was his from Richard's grasp. He got back into the piece of shit car one of his new girls had come home with and he took off.

Qhuinn

"I'm driving as fast as I can Gina" Gosh Marie's best friend was pushy. "Girl you should have just taken the night off" Gina flashed her wad of money. "Point made" Qhuinn drove her home safely soon after Marie had left them. The club had died down shortly after two anyways. Most had headed to the after hours party and he knew Blay would be waiting for him and he didn't want too leave Blay waiting long. He pulled up to Marie's house where Gina was staying just as a brand new Bentley passed by. "You don't think that's? Nah" They both shook their heads "Well you better give me the 411, girl" Gina's playful grin said that she would do just that. They kissed on the checks and Qhuinn made sure Gina made it inside before driving off.

Vin

The meeting went better than expected, but then again Vin never second guessed himself and thought it would go well in the first place. It was just a bump in the road on a few details. He had no room for negative thoughts since they brought bad energy, and he hated to be surrounded by that. His partner would have all the details taken care of before he landed home in Caldwell, NY. This did however leave him time to have one more evening out, and he knew just the spot to get more positive energy flowing.

When Vin sat down he saw that the girl he normally sits with already busy. And didn't that just boil his blood. Wasn't like he truly liked the female, but a part of him liked the idea that when he was here, she only dealt with him. Whatever, that big ass bike rider guy she was with could have her. Vin didn't like waiting, nor did he want sloppy seconds. He had seen the pretty brunette with the red headed girl he usually dealt with, so he scanned the dark room for her. He saw her walking from the back room, her hair a little lighter, than before. He watched as her hips swayed and soon motioned with his finger for her to join him.

Marie Terese

Usually it was Gina who people called to their tables and not Marie, but it seemed like tonight was her lucky night. Everyone knew Vin and when he came in every girl wished to sit at his table. If they were lucky enough they'd make enough money from him that would easily pay their bills for a month or two.

Lucky was not the word Marie would use. They barely spoke a word to one another and he hadn't even asked Marie her "name." Nor did he ask her for a dance, just if she wanted a drink, that was all. Maybe that would start off the conversation. "This is a lovely champagne, Mr." She left his last name hanging in the air. Though everyone knew who he was she assumed it would be rude to act as if she knew without him introducing himself to her.

"

DiPietro" Okay well that helped soooo much. "Are you here on pleasure of business Mr. Dipietro?" His eyes shifted to gaze directly into hers. Marie shivered. Damn those eyes were so empty. The mother in her saw someone else's son and wanted to just reach out and hold him. But she kept her hands to her self, her fingers instead trailing up and down the stem of the champagne glass. "I'd say pleasure at the moment Miss" now if was her turn.

"Marie Terese"

This seemed to intrigue him. His brows lifted slightly. Marie opened her mouth to defend the name, but nothing came out. Vin's finger touched her lips. "You're not like the rest." His hand gestured towards the crowd, but she knew what he meant. Like the other girls. Was it so easy to tell? Her lips parted, leaving his finger lingering over her lower lip. Slowly her tongue darted between her lips and caressed his finger. She would show him that she could play this game better than the rest. She stood and braced her hands on the back of Vin's chair and on both sides of his head. His legs widened for her to step in closer and one of her legs lifted slowly and rubbed against his thick arousal. His hand found its way down to Marie's curves. His touch was so gentle and it felt nice, unlike the rough touches of most customers that couldn't control themselves. The night passed by way too fast as Vin and Marie's bodies rubbed up against each other.

Lash

Lash watched his "girlfriend" with her client. Well this he could stay and watch. Any female of his making money was good stalking for him. He sat back in the dark corner with a Grey Goose on the rocks, ushering off any skank that tried to talk to him. He wasn't interested in these girls he had no use for them. Right now he had his hands full with Marie Terese, who had been ignoring him since he saw her with her ex.

Marie

Shaking her head, blushing, "No Gina it wasn't like that" trailing off her fingers trailed over her lips that still burned from the kiss she shared with Vin. "He's a client" Gina rolled her eyes and said 'yeah yeah and that it was best if Marie kept reminding her self of that.' Brushing shoulders with her best friend, "Who are you to judge anyways? It looked like Jim kept you busy all night…" A change of subject was quick and the girls laughed until they finally were able to call it a night and relax enough to go to their rooms and fall asleep. "Goodnight, Gina" Marie walked to her room, her head full of so many thoughts.