Page 7 of Cowboy and the Convict

"I appreciate your concern, but I’m actually fine." Janie laughed at how nice she sounded. Another thing that could likely be attributed to whiskey and pain pills. "You can find your way back to wherever you came from without worrying about me."

The cowboy across from her offered a lopsided smile that likely sent younger, less experienced, women's hearts fluttering. "Now what would be the fun in that?"

Ugh. Of course she would attract the only guy in this place who couldn’t take a hint. That was fine. If he wouldn't leave, she'd do it for him.

Grabbing her drink from the table, Janie swung both feet off of his meaty thigh, happily noting the stabbing sensation that had been poking her insides was all but gone as she slid to the floor. Unfortunately, that relief came at a price, and that price was balance. As soon as she tried to step away from the table, her legs wobbled and she started careening to the side as the bar began to spin. Janie cringed, fully expecting to go down, hating that her body was about to be against the disgustingly filthy floor under her feet.

But before everything could go sideways, a pair of strong hands gripped her tight, bringing her once again perpendicular to the ground.

Great. Now this guy seriously wasn't going to leave her alone. He was going to think she owed him for not letting her fall. Shit. She was going to have to figure out how to throw up on his shoes or something, because the last thing she wanted was some strange, too-young cowboy—

Her eyes finally focused on the man holding her tight, and she realized the baby cowboy was actually the lesser of two evils.

Officer Devon Peters frowned at her, his chiseled jaw set in a disapproving line. "Are you okay?"

Scrounging up every bit of sobriety she possessed, Janie managed to lift her chin and straighten her spine. "I'm fine. I just tripped."

Devon’s scowl intensified as he pulled her closer, hooking one arm behind her back as he swung his hard glare to the cowboy she was attempting to escape. "What the fuck did you put in her drink?"

The cowboy lifted his hands, eyes wide with genuine innocence. "I didn’t touch her drink. I swear."

"Do you think I’m fucking stupid?" Janie poked herself in the face a few times with the straw of the drink she’d somehow managed not to drop. She finally got her lips around it and sucked loudly, the little bit of remaining liquid rattling around the ice as she swallowed down the last precious drops of whiskey. "He didn't get near my drink."

Devon’s frown deepened. “It’s not about being stupid. Women should be able to take their eyes off a drink without worrying what will get dropped into it.”

As usual, Devon didn’t miss an opportunity to chastise her. And maybe this time she deserved it.

He returned his glare to the cowboy, keeping him pinned in place a few seconds longer with nothing more than the weight of his stare, before finally jerking his chin toward the dance floor. "Go."

The cowboy didn't hesitate. He immediately jumped up and all but ran into the crowd, leaving her to deal with the man who loved nothing more than to be a pain in her ass.

"Let me go. I'm fine." Janie pushed at Devon’s chest, giving it a half-assed shove before realizing this was a job for two hands. She set her empty glass on the table, not realizing she missed until it crashed against the floor. Normally, she would immediately go to work cleaning that up, but Devon’s hold on her was uncompromising, barely giving her enough room to plant both palms against the front of his uniform.

To her dismay, she didn't have enough leverage to make any headway. It only got worse when he pulled her closer as he leaned into the little walkie-talkie thing on his shoulder and pressed the button. It beeped twice before he started to speak into it.

"This is Peters. I've got a patron at The Watering Hole who needs a ride home."

"I don't need a ride home." Even in her current state, the thought of Devon being where she lived sent panic slicing through her gut. If he saw the full reality of what her life really was, his judging eyes would never leave her. Every time they crossed paths, she'd have to hear about all the ways she needed to do better.

And then she would end up in jail for assaulting an officer.

"I have a ride home. Mariah and I came together." She continued trying to wiggle away, but the Earth was rotating faster than she remembered, and it was difficult to keep her train of thought. "Let me go so I can find her."

"If I let you go, the only thing you're going to find is the fucking floor." Devon’s voice was a low growl and it sent her chin tucking in surprise.

Usually he sounded like he was disappointed in her. Like he was dishing out the same kind of lecture he would offer to one of his kids.

Right now, he sounded... Pissed.

Thankfully, Mariah—the best friend ever—rushed up, brows pinched in concern as she took in the situation. “What happened? Is she okay?”

“I’m fine.” Janie turned to her friend, knowing she was her best shot at getting the hell away from Devon. “I just forgot I took a Vicodin earlier.”

Devon’s brows climbed up his forehead. “You forgot?” His voice was louder now. Sharper.

Angrier.

She pressed her lips together, a little shocked by his reaction.

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