Page 34 of The Trail Boss

“What’s up?” asked Reed coming out of the war room.

“We got ambushed. I handled it, but this close to the ranch tells me they’re aware that we’re coming for them, and are upping the ante.”

Reed nodded. “I’ll let everyone know and step up security at the club as well.:

The ambush wasn’t random—it had been precise, calculated, and meant to send a message. Whoever was behind this wasn’t just trying to scare Roxie. They wanted her gone.

He led her upstairs, but when he started to lead her to the guest room, she stopped him and headed towards the primary suite—his room. “I took the liberty of moving my things in. If it’s not possible to go back to my apartment for now, maybe you can get someone to accompany Keely and I on a quick shopping trip.” Roxie entered the doorway, moving toward the balcony, until he prevented her from doing so. “What now?”

“Possibility of a sniper. I need you to stay away from windows.”

“Okay, but what do we do next?”

“Now we regroup,” Gavin said, his tone resolute. “And we get ready to fight back.”

She watched him, her gaze steady. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not a chance,” he said, meeting her eyes. “They came after you on my watch. That makes it my responsibility to stop them.”

Her expression softened, and the energy between them melted into something quieter, more intimate. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Get some rest,” Gavin said gently.

“I’d rather go to bed and fuck you.”

He laughed. She was remarkable. “I think I can accommodate you.”

As Roxie turned and disappeared into the bathroom, Gavin leaned against the door frame, his resolve hardening like steel. Whoever had orchestrated this was about to learn the hard way that they’d picked the wrong man to cross.

He wasn’t just going to protect Roxie. He was going to bring her attackers to justice—and he wasn’t going to stop until every last one of them paid.

12

GAVIN

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a warm, flickering glow across the bedroom. Gavin sat in one of the soft leather wingbacks, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, staring into the flames. The silence stretched, broken only by the occasional pop of wood burning.

As the water turned on, Gavin made a decision. Standing up he removed his clothes and joined Roxie in the bathroom. Apparently, she had discovered the steam function. He joined her in the large standalone glassed-in shower.

Roxie screeched when she realized she wasn’t alone and would have slipped and fallen if he hadn’t been there to catch her. He held her for a moment but then smiled as he felt his cock stiffening between them.

“You’re gorgeous. I thought you might need a hand.”

“I can assure you, I’ve been washing myself for years.”

“Perhaps, but it’ll be so much more fun when we do it together. I might point out to you that you disobeyed me when I told you to stay put.”

“I did, but I also kept that guy from shooting you.”

“Maybe, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to overlook your disobedience. I want you to turn around, bend over and put your hands on the bench.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“Oh, but I can.”

He might have been concerned had it not been for the shiver of desire that seemed to wash over her in the hot, steamy shower as her nipples stiffened in response to his command.

“Feet shoulder width apart.”

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