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Regan

**********

I felt someone watching me as I knocked back the rest of my beer. I was used to being watched. The jeans I wore fit me so tight they looked like they had been painted on and the tiny top left little to the imagination. I didn't have much going on in my life but I could always count on my looks to get me out of any sticky situation and if all else failed tears were my last resort.

Slowly, I peered over my shoulder. My eyes locked with the clearest ice blue eyes I had ever seen. His eyes matched his cold expression as he continued to boldly stare at me. He wasn't even pretending he wasn't. Two could play at this game. I stared openly at him, taking in his defined jawline and silky dark hair that ever just above his ears. My eyes settled on his mouth and I wondered for a moment if he was a good kisser. He oozed confidence and sex appeal but I had plenty of pretty boys slobber when they kissed.

Most guys weren't so direct but my gut was telling me this guy wasn't a fan.

He was with a group in the booth. They all seemed to be the same age probably a couple of years older than me. I bet I had more life experience than all of them combined. What trouble could they get into in this small farming town where there was one main street, if you blinked you missed it?

A girl beside him sat intimately close to him. It was clear for everyone to see he was taken, at least for the night.

I smiled to myself. I would I take what I wanted whether he was taken or not. The girl beside him smiled sweetly up to him. I bet she was one of those good girls who rarely cursed or put a foot wrong. Her long blonde hair was perfect, her makeup not too bold and for goodness sake she was wearing a flowery white top. Who wore that type of thing? I shook my head.

She was the total opposite to me. I had no innocence, it had been stripped from me as a child. My shoulder length, midnight black hair and dark brown eyes were not only physical opposite to her but I bet she had never lived through any type of hardship.

I wanted to let go and enjoy myself. I moved to the small dance floor where a couple of people were dancing. Closing my eyes, I put my hands on my hips and began to move in time with the music.

In that moment I forgot about everything other than the music. I didn't care about anyone, least of all the guy who was still watching me.

When the song ended I made my way to the bar still very aware I was being watched. The guy sitting on the barstool gave me a flirty smile and I mirrored it.

"What are you drinking?" he asked, suggestively.

I told him and he ordered me another beer. So far I hadn't bought any of my drinks.

"You staying long?" The man asked. He was much older than me, probably old enough to be my father.

I had never met my father or mother. I had no idea who they were. One stormy night eighteen years ago I had been left outside the steps of a church. I didn't even know my birthday. My life was all kinds of fucked up.

"That depends," I winked at him and moved a little closer, making sure to push my cleavage out a bit more. It was a trick that usually worked wonders.

I touched him arm lightly and his grin widened.

It was all part of the play. There was a lot of activity but I made one last look over my shoulder to see if I was still being watched. The blue eyes guy was distracted with the girl beside him. I reeled my victims in with a promise of more while I distracted him long enough to lift his wallet from his back pocket.

The guy beside the bar was so transfixed with me as I smiled seductively he didn't see me lift the notes from his wallet before I returned it and shoved the money into the pocket of my jeans. It had been seamless, perfect.

I took a sip of my beer. "Thank you."

It wasn't only for the drink, it was also for the money he had unknowingly donated for my room at the nearby motel. Unfortunately, with my criminal history it was difficult to get a job so I had to make do with my other talents.

A large hand closed around my wrist and I frowned, having to look up to the same blue eyed guy who had been watching me.

"Give it back," he instructed tersely.

I shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I was busted but even then I still wasn't going to admit it. I had learned in situations like this to lie and if that didn't work you lied some more. And if all else failed then it was time to cry.

It worked better on men but somehow I doubted this man would fall for any of my tricks. His eyes never left my face to take a sneaky peak at my ample cleavage like most men would. It told me that no matter what I tried I would not be able to seduce or play him. It was rare to find someone I couldn't easily manipulate.

"Now," he commanded softly, his hold tightening.

He was strong and there was no way to pull free to escape. I hated the lack of control I felt in that moment.

The man on the barstool frowned. "What's going on here Maverick?"

Maverick. The name suited the asshole.

When I didn't do as he told me he pulled me closer. "The sheriff is sitting three seats away. If you'd like to spend the night in jail, I can make that happen."

That would not suit my current plans and I really had no intention of adding to my already extensive rap sheet. Besides, I didn't want to spend a night longer in this snooze town than I had to.

I glared at Maverick as I got the money out and set it down reluctantly on the bar.

"It's time for you to leave," Maverick whispered harshly. I glared at him trying to stop myself from making a scene but it felt impossible to tame the temper that burned inside me.

I yanked my hand free but I could still feel his hand around my waist. "You're a real spoilsport," I muttered before I plastered on a light smile, covering the seething anger bubbling under the surface.

I didn't hurry out like I knew he expected me to, instead I took my time and sauntered to the exit before I opened the door and left without looking back like I wanted to. It was a control thing. If I had given in to the urge to look at him one last time, I would have handed the power to him. It was all about managing a situation and ensuring I held all control.

It was the moments when I didn't have control that scared me most, and brought back memories of a little girl who had never had any control on her life until she had run away from the orphanage a year ago.

Outside it was cold and I shivered. Sexy didn't include a nice warm jacket but I had to do whatever I could to survive. The anger that ignited earlier continued to burn in me. I wanted revenge, I wanted to wipe that confident smugness right off his face. The feeling overwhelmed me and I had to mentally count to ten to help ease it back under control. If I didn't, it would lead me down the path of trouble I had travelled more times than I could count which always ended badly for me.

I started walking the short distance to the motel I was staying at.

The sound of a car approaching did not capture my attention. It was only when it screeched to halt beside me did I stop. It was dark but I recognized Maverick when he got out the passenger side of the truck.

"Get in," he commanded coldly as the passenger door at the back of the truck opened.

I eyed the guy was seated in the back. He looked as unwelcoming as Maverick.

"Not a chance in hell," I said, shaking my head. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

Who the hell did he think he was?

"I tried to do this the nice way," he muttered before grabbing me. I pushed against him with all my strength but he was too strong.

Someone came up behind me and covered my mouth with a cloth as I struggled. It smelled of chemical. I tried to escape but I felt the darkness come and then everything went dark.