Page 37 of The Trail Boss

Those responsible weren’t just targeting Roxie anymore—they’d made it personal. They’d violated the club and its patrons. And Gavin wasn’t going to stop until they paid.

The war room was alive with purpose, the team huddled around the massive oak trestle table. Documents, photos, and digital maps covered the surface. There were two whiteboards up, showing more connections, more information. All of it was a visual representation of the tangled web they’d spent days unraveling. Gavin stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed, his sharp eyes scanning the evidence.

“All roads lead back to the Albrights,” Reed said, stabbing a finger at a printout. “The payments to Joey at the Iron Spur, the shell company funding Kessler, even the private investigators who tracked Roxie after Jeremiah’s death. They’ve been pulling the strings the whole time.”

“And they weren’t all that subtle about it,” Jesse added, leaning back in his chair. “They didn’t think anyone would dig this deep—too confident in their money and influence.”

“They underestimated us,” Gavin said, his voice calm but steely. “And that will turn out to be their biggest mistake.”

Gavin glanced up and spotted Roxie standing at the edge of the room, her gaze fixed on the team. There was a blend of awe and admiration in her eyes as she watched the men work. They weren’t just sorting through evidence—they were systematically taking apart the walls her in-laws had built to trap her.

At the center of it all, Gavin kept his focus steady, his presence grounded and calm, like an anchor in the chaos. When his gaze met Roxie’s, something shifted—her expression softened, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw her guard slip. He gave her a small nod, a silent gesture that said she wasn’t just a bystander—she was part of this fight, and she belonged here.

Reed’s spoke. “We’ve got enough to go to the authorities, but that won’t stop them entirely. Margaret and William will lawyer up, and Kessler will stall as long as he can.”

“We need to draw them out,” Gavin said, his mind already racing ahead. “Make them think they’ve got the upper hand.”

Hawke raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got a plan?”

“I do,” Gavin said. He turned toward Roxie, his expression softening slightly. “But it involves you.”

“Me? What do you mean? Never mind. If it means I get to be a part of taking my life back from them, I’m in.”

Gavin nodded. “We’re going to need to set you up so they see you as bait they can’t resist,” Gavin said bluntly, though his tone was gentle. “You’re the key to all of this, Roxie. If they think you’re vulnerable, they’ll come for you.” Gavin said, stepping closer. “I’ll be with you every second, and the team will have our backs. We control the environment, we set the terms. But if we don’t confront them head-on, they’ll just keep coming.”

Roxie swallowed hard, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. She glanced around the room, taking in the steady,unwavering gazes of the men who’d worked tirelessly to protect her. Finally, her eyes settled on Gavin.

“I’m in,” she said, her voice steady.

Gavin’s lips curved into a faint smile, pride flashing in his eyes. “That’s the Roxie I know.”

Later, as the team finalized the plan, Gavin found Roxie sitting on the front porch, her knees drawn up to her chest. The sun beginning to set in the sky. The stars had yet to stretch out above them, but they would come. The quiet hum of the encroaching twilight was broken only by the faint rustle of the breeze as it made the windchimes tinkle together.

“You okay?” he asked, stepping onto the porch.

She glanced up at him, her expression thoughtful. “I think so. It’s just... a lot. But for the first time, I don’t feel helpless.”

Gavin sat down beside her, the wooden boards creaking under his weight. “You were never helpless, Roxie. You’ve been fighting this whole time, even when it felt like you weren’t winning.”

She looked down, a small smile tugging at her lips. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re... you. Strong, confident, unshakable.”

Gavin chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You think I don’t have doubts? That I don’t second-guess every move I make? I’ve made mistakes, Roxie. Plenty of them. But the one thing I’ve learned is that strength doesn’t mean you don’t feel fear. It means you don’t let it stop you.”

Her breath hitched, his words cutting through her lingering insecurities. “I guess I’ve been letting it stop me for too long.”

“Not anymore,” Gavin said, his voice firm. He turned to face her. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. And you’ve got people who believe in you now.”

Roxie smiled fully this time, the stiffness in her shoulders easing. “You’re a good guy, Gavin Briggs. Even if you’re bossy as hell.”

He grinned, his gaze softening. “Good thing you like bossy.”

The sound of the door creaking behind them broke the moment. Reed stepped onto the porch, his expression serious. “We’ve got confirmation. Margaret Albright made a call to Kessler tonight. They’re planning to make their move in the next 48 hours.”

Gavin stood, his jaw tightening. “Then we stick to the plan.”

Roxie stood beside him, her determination matching his. “Let’s finish this.”

Gavin looked down at her, his chest tightening with equal parts admiration and protectiveness. “We will,” he said, his voice low but resolute. “And I’ll be right there with you.”

---