Page 8 of The Trail Boss

“Try me,” Gavin replied.

Roxie didn’t say anything, but the growl she made ensured he knew how she felt about what he was doing. It really was kind of cute and very, very sexy the way she truly believed she could take him on.”

“Yes, we do or I’ll have the doctor admit you…”

“You’re a bully.”

“I’m a Dom,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Are you leaving the hospital or not?”

“Leaving.” Roxie swung her legs off the table, wincing slightly and swaying as Gavin reached for her and she swatted his hand away. “See? Just a bump. Happy now?”

Gavin’s eyes softened, but his tone didn’t. “Not even close.”

She raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I don’t buy the idea that it was just bad luck. That pole didn’t come down on its own.”

She stared at him, her expression shifting from irritation to something more uncertain. “You think someone did this on purpose?”

“I think someone wanted it to look like an accident,” he said, his voice steady.

Roxie blinked, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the hospital blanket. “Why would anyone want to hurt me?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out.”

For the first time, Roxie didn’t argue. She just stared at him, her gaze searching his face. Gavin resisted the urge to reach out, to brush a stray strand of hair away from her forehead. Instead, he stepped back and crossed his arms, giving her the space she clearly needed.

“Get dressed,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “I’ll drive you home.”

Roxie nodded, her expression unreadable. As he turned toward the door, he felt her gaze on him, and the pull he’d felt earlier returned, stronger this time.

“Cowboy,” she said softly, stopping him in his tracks.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.”

He nodded once, not trusting himself to say more, and moved out to the hall, his jaw tightening. This woman was trouble—and not the kind he was used to handling. After making a few phone calls, he stepped back into her room, leaning against the doorway.

Gavin’s arms were crossed as he watched her fiddle with the bandage on her temple. She looked irritated—no surprise there. She’d spent most of the day either arguing with him or rolling her eyes.

“Stop glaring at the nurse’s handiwork,” he said, his voice dry. “You’re lucky you got out of there with just a bump and a cut.”

Roxie glanced up at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You’re still here?”

“Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t bolt before they clear you to leave.” He stepped inside, his boots clicking softly on the tile floor. “Besides, I’ve been busy.”

Her brow arched, and he caught the flicker of suspicion in her eyes. “Busy with what?”

“Looking into that little ‘accident’ of yours.”

Roxie sighed and leaned back against the bed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Here we go.”

“You want to hear what I found, or are you gonna shut me down before I start?”

She gestured vaguely for him to continue, though her expression screamedlet’s get this over with.

Gavin pulled out his phone, scrolling through the pictures he’d taken at the studio. He handed it to her, his finger hovering over the screen. “See this? The base of the pole.”

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