Page 26 of The Trail Boss

Bones glanced at the money, then pushed it back looking at Gavin. "Now that you mention it, there was a guy hanging around last week. Didn't fit the usual crowd. He came in with one of the newer members, but they didn’t really hang out. The stranger kept mostly to the shadows, watching people more than participating or even drinking."

"Can you describe him?" Gavin asked, leaning in slightly.

"Average height, dark hair, wore a Stetson knock-off pulled low. Didn't catch much else. Something about him, just didn’t sit quite right."

Gavin nodded, his jaw tightening. "If you see him again, let me or one of the other owners know."

"Will do."

After Roxie reappeared in her street clothes, they walked toward the exit, side by side, the air between them buzzed with an unspoken connection. Whatever happened next, Gavin knew one thing for sure—he’d do whatever it took to make sure Roxie had the chance to chase her dreams. And to keep her safe while she did.

Moving away from the bar, Gavin scanned the room with renewed focus. The soft lighting and elegant decor of the Iron Spur belied the undercurrents of secrecy that flowed beneath the surface. He glanced into the dungeon and his gaze settled on one of the newer floor staff—a slim man with darting eyes who seemed unusually tense.

"Roxie stay here with Bones. I’ll be right back.”

Before she could protest, Gavin turned away from her, made his way to the dungeon floor and slowly approached thestaff member slowly. “Excuse me," he said, catching the man's attention.

The staff member jumped slightly, almost dropping the tray he was holding. "Yes, sir? Can I help you?"

"Just had a question," Gavin said smoothly. "Have you noticed any unfamiliar faces around here lately? Someone who seems... out of place?"

The man's eyes shifted nervously. "I, uh, wouldn't know. I just started."

"Really?" Gavin's tone remained casual, but his eyes were sharp. "Because you seem a bit on edge. Everything okay?"

"Fine. Everything's fine," the man insisted, backing away slightly. "I need to get back to work."

Before Gavin could press further, the employee hurried off, disappearing through a door marked 'Staff Only.' Gavin frowned, his instincts telling him that something was definitely off. He made a mental note to have Reed pull the guy’s personnel profile and give it a thorough re-check.

As he continued his circuit around the dungeon floor, Gavin felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickling—a familiar sensation from years in the field. He was being watched.

Casually, he shifted his position to catch the reflection from a mirrored section of wall nearby. There, near the edge of the room, a figure lingered in the shadows. The man was partially obscured by a curtain, but Gavin could make out the outline of a dark jacket and a cowboy hat pulled low over his face.

Gavin's muscles tensed. The description matched the one given by the bartender. He decided to approach, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.

But as he neared the spot, a group of laughing patrons stumbled into his path, and by the time he maneuvered around them, the shadowy figure was gone. It could be that he’d realized he was in violation of one of the rules—anyone on the dungeonfloor had to be attired in fet wear. Or it could have been something more nefarious.

Gavin scanned the area again, his eyes narrowing. The exit door at the end of the corridor swung shut, suggesting a hasty retreat.

"Dammit," he muttered under his breath.

Gavin followed, making his way outside, stepping into the cool night air. The alley behind the club was dimly lit, the sounds of the city muffled by the building's high walls. He listened carefully, straining to pick up any sign of movement.

A faint scuff of footsteps echoed from around the corner. Gavin moved swiftly, rounding the edge of the building just in time to see the silhouette of a man disappearing into a black sedan.

Their eyes met for a split second as the car's engine roared to life. The stranger's face was shadowed, but there was a glint of something—recognition, perhaps—as he sped away.

Gavin cursed, pulling out his phone to snap a photo of the license plate, but the car turned sharply, disappearing into traffic before he could get a clear shot.

He stood there, anger and concern coiling in his gut like a rattlesnake ready to strike. Whoever this was, they were getting bolder. And that meant Roxie was in greater danger than he’d realized.

Re-entering the club, Gavin found Roxie waiting with Bones, her expression curious. "Everything okay?" she asked, searching his face for any clue as to what was going on.

"Everything is fine," he lied smoothly. "Ready to go?"

She eyed him skeptically as she moved to his side. "You're a terrible liar."

Gavin managed a faint smile. "Just thought I saw someone I recognized. Turned out to be nothing."

---