The outdated gas pump clicked as each number turned over, echoing against the silence. The moths gathered around the lot lights, fighting for space in the only warmth they could find. Just like Vegas. I looked up, appreciating the stars above. A few years before, I’d retired from the Marines and landed in Vegas. It was loud and busy, serving its purpose for a widow who wanted to stay distracted, but Vegas wasn’t for the good kind of star gazing, so it took only one phone call from an old friend to talk me into driving to the mountains of Colorado for a job.

The clerk was so focused on the television that she barely acknowledged the Jeep’s return. She couldn’t know what was about to happen, but I did. Her hands were in the pockets of her white scrub jacket, having no idea the next person to walk through her door would plant a deep seed of fear she’d carry with her.

I topped off Matt’s old Chevy truck and hung up the pump, opening the driver’s side door to grab my wallet; purposely slow, deliberately cumbersome, waiting for what was next. As I expected, a large hand took a fist of my dark hair and slammed me cheek first into the seat. His already hard prick was poking into my hip, a low gurgle for a laugh bubbling in the back of his throat. He was over six feet tall, but he wasn’t trained. He wouldn’t have been able to keep hold of me after one defensive move. I rolled my eyes.

“Eddie,” a voice called from the other side of my truck. “What are you doin’, man?”

Eddie pressed his hips into my ass. “Just go get the money. I’ll be done in a second.” His buckle flicked opened. “Hi, pretty.”

“How’s it going?” I asked, my voice muffled against the upholstery. Eddie’s body paused, left thirsting for the fear in my voice that would never come.

He yanked me upright, holding my face next to his. He smelled of cheap cigarettes and even cheaper beer, but he wasn’t drunk, just a road trip snack for a fuck up like him traveling from one dead end job to another.

“You’re not even going to scream for help, huh?”

“I don’t think I’m going to need it,” I said, looking up at the stars. I grinned and closed my eyes, feeling relief as his rough hands fought to keep me close while he exposed himself. It had been a long time since I’d been able to unleash my anger on someone. Just a few more seconds…

“You’re going to like this,” he said, his voice turning soft. He was a second-rate thief, but a veteran rapist.

“I doubt that.” I chuckled. “Do women even enjoy this when they’re drunk enough to want to fuck you?”