Page 15 of The Trail Boss

His boots thudded softly on the broken pavement of the parking lot as he moved towards the closest wall. He kept his body angled to avoid being seen, his sharp gaze zeroing in on the vehicle.

The engine hummed, its faint vibration carrying through the stillness of the evening. The driver made no move to get out, no indication they were simply lost or waiting for someone.

Something wasn’t right.

Gavin jogged up the steps to Roxie’s apartment and knocked sharply. The door opened almost immediately, her expression a mix of annoyance and exhaustion.

“What now?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“There’s a car outside,” Gavin said, stepping past her without waiting for an invitation. He crossed the small living room and peered through the curtains, his movements deliberate.

Roxie frowned, following him. “So? People park out there all the time.”

“Not like this,” Gavin muttered, his voice low. He glanced over his shoulder, his penetrating stare settling on her. “The windows are blacked out, and they’ve been sitting there too long. Doesn’t feel right.”

Roxie moved to stand beside him, brushing against his arm as she peered out the window. The soft scent of her shampoo drifted up, momentarily distracting him before he shook it off.

“You’re being paranoid,” she said, though her voice lacked conviction.

“Maybe,” Gavin said, his gaze never leaving the car. “But paranoid keeps people alive.”

Roxie huffed, stepping back. “I told you, I can handle myself. You don’t need to play watchdog.”

He turned to face her fully, his broad shoulders towering over her petite frame. “You don’t think I need to,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “But I do. That car isn’t here by coincidence, and until I know why it’s here, I’m not leaving you alone.”

Her eyes flashed, and she planted her hands on her hips. “You can’t just decide that.”

“Yes, I can,” Gavin said simply, taking a step closer. The tension between them crackled like a live wire. “You’re my responsibility now, Roxie. Whether you like it or not.” He dialed the team staked out in the parking lot. “You guys see that dark SUV?”

“Yep it’s been here a couple of times. We ran the plates, and it traced back to a holding company out of Dallas. We have tech running a deeper scan.”

“Good man. One of you keep your eyes on it and anyone coming out of it at all times.”

“Will do, boss.”

Gavin nodded and ended the call. Roxie’s breath hitched, her irritation shifting to something else as his words sank in. The room felt smaller, the air charged as his presence filled the space.

“Why?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you care so much?”

Gavin hesitated, his gaze dropping to her lips for the briefest second before returning to her eyes. “Because someone has to,” he said, his voice low and steady.

Roxie blinked, and the fire in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a flicker of vulnerability that tugged at something deep in his chest.

But just as quickly, she straightened, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re infuriating,” he replied with a faint grin.

The rumble of the idling engine outside drew his attention back to the window. Gavin’s expression hardened as he turned away from her and reached for the doorknob.

“What are you doing?” Roxie asked, following him.

“Checking on something,” he said, pulling the door open. “Lock this behind me.”

“Gavin...”

“Now, Roxie,” he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

She sighed but obeyed, the sound of the deadbolt clicking into place behind him as he strode down the hall.

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