Page 39 of The Trail Boss

“You okay?” he asked, his voice softer than usual.

She nodded, though her expression was tight. “I am. Just tell me we’re on the downhill slide. Tell me this is almost over. They’ve taken so much from me, Gavin. I can’t let them win.”

Gavin crossed the room, stopping just in front of her. “We are, it is, and they won’t,” he said firmly. “Not as long as I’m here.”

Her lips trembled, but she straightened her shoulders. “What’s next?”

Gavin glanced back at the table, his mind already working on the plan. “We set the trap. And we bring them down.”

As he turned back to her, his hand brushed against hers, a silent reassurance. Roxie held his gaze, feeling stronger than she had in years. With Gavin by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.

This wasn’t just about justice anymore—it was about taking back her life. And she wasn’t going to stop until she did.

Later, Roxie sat beside Gavin going over the documents, which were now being referred to as evidence. The low hum of voices filled the space as Gavin and his team discussed their next steps, but all she could focus on was the weight in her chest. The truth was out now—messy, brutal, and so much worse than she had imagined.

Her husband hadn’t been the man she thought he was. Her in-laws hadn’t just hated her—they had actively sought to destroy her. And all of it had led to this moment, where her life felt like it was dangling by a thread.

Gavin’s voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. “Roxie.”

She looked up sharply, meeting his intense gaze from across the room. His expression softened slightly as he walked toward her, his presence grounding her in a way she hadn’t realized she needed.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and steady.

“No,” she said honestly, her voice trembling. “Not really.”

Gavin nodded, his hand brushing lightly against her arm. “I get it. This is a lot to process.”

“A lot?” she said, letting out a bitter laugh. “My husband lied to me. My in-laws hired people to kill me. And for what? Money? Pride?”

“For control,” Gavin said, his tone sharp. “They wanted to make you disappear because you’re stronger than they are. They couldn’t stand that you kept fighting, even when they threw everything they had at you.”

Her breath hitched, his words cutting through her swirling anger. “I don’t feel strong,” she admitted softly.

“But you are,” Gavin said, stepping closer. “You’ve survived everything they’ve thrown at you. And now, you’re not just surviving—you’re fighting back.”

The warmth in his voice melted some of the icy fear in her chest. Roxie swallowed hard, nodding slightly. “I want to end this, Gavin. I want my life back.”

“You will,” he promised, his hand resting briefly on her shoulder. “We’ll make sure of it.”

The team gathered around the table as Reed laid out the plan, his tone efficient and precise. “We’ll use the evidenceKessler gave us to lure the Albrights into making a move. They’re desperate, and desperate people make mistakes.”

“Dugan’s our wild card,” Jesse added. “If he finds out the Albrights tried to cut him out, he won’t take it lying down.”

Roxie listened quietly, absorbing their words as a sense of purpose began to replace her earlier despair. This wasn’t just about clearing her name or stopping her in-laws. It was about reclaiming her life, her voice, and her future.

“What do you need from me?” she asked, her voice firm.

The room went quiet, all eyes turning to her. Gavin spoke first. “We need you to be ready,” he said, his voice steady but gentle. “You’re the key to this, Roxie. But you’re not alone. We’ll be right there with you.”

Her gaze met his, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of something she hadn’t dared to hope for—trust.

“Okay,” she said, her voice strong. “Let’s do this.”

That evening, Roxie sat on the porch steps of the ranch, the cool night air brushing against her skin. The stars above seemed brighter out here, far from the city lights, but they did little to calm the storm inside her.

She heard Gavin’s boots on the wooden boards before she saw him. He sank onto the step beside her, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared out at the darkened fields.

“I thought I told you to go upstairs and rest. Imagine my surprise when you weren’t there,” he said, his voice amused but ever the Dom.

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