Chapter 11
11
GAVIN
T he following night as they were returning to the ranch, the dark, winding road stretched out ahead of them, the headlights of Gavin’s truck cutting through the dense Texas night. Roxie sat in the passenger seat, her hands folded neatly in her lap. He’d had to threaten to teach her about the role of discipline in a D/s relationship before she’d keep her hands to herself. The hum of the engine filled some of the silence.
“You wouldn’t really spank me, would you?” she asked.
“It depends on what we agree on. That can be a hard limit for you, but I can tell you that knowing I’m going to turn your ass bright red when you get out-of-line can go a long way to keeping both of us mindful of what we say or expect. I also know that not one of the couples I know who uses that form of discipline doesn’t find it highly erotic.”
“So the fact that when you said it, I felt the most delicious shiver of arousal, wouldn’t put you off?”
He laughed out loud. “Hardly. In fact, you saying that just made my cock come to attention.”
“I could help with that,” she said provocatively.
“I don’t make idle threats Roxie. You reach for me again in this truck and I’ll pull off onto the shoulder and give you a discipline spanking that’ll make you think twice about blatant disobedience.”
“Hmm… I think I’ll pass,” Roxie said, her voice low, tinged with unease.
“Good choice,” Gavin replied, his eyes scanning the road ahead, his tone calm but alert. “We’ll be home soon and trust me, I’ll be more than happy to scratch that itch for you.”
“Promise?” she asked seductively.
“Count on it,” he said with a grin.
Roxie nodded, glancing out the window at the shadows of trees whipping past. The isolation of the road felt both comforting and eerie. “You’ve got that look again,” she said, casting him a sideways glance.
“What look?” Gavin asked, his lips twitching faintly.
“The one where you’re trying to figure out where the danger is coming from.”
Gavin’s faint grin faded as he gripped the wheel tighter. “It’s a good habit to have.”
They reached a straight stretch of road flanked by tall grass when Gavin’s instincts flared to life. The faint glint of something metallic in the distance up ahead caught his eye—too low to be a road sign, too reflective to be natural.
“Hold on,” he muttered, his voice tense as he pressed the accelerator.
“What is it?” Roxie asked, sitting up straighter.
“Trouble,” Gavin said.
As they drew closer, the silhouette of an SUV parked across the road came into view, its headlights off. Two figures emerged, carrying what looked like rifles.
“Ambush,” Gavin growled, his mind snapping into action. “Stay down.”
Before Roxie could respond, a loud crack echoed through the night. The truck jolted as a bullet pinged off the hood, and Gavin yanked the wheel hard, veering off the road and into the ditch.
“Gavin!” Roxie cried, gripping the seat as the truck bounced and lurched.
“Keep your head down!” Gavin barked, his voice steady despite the chaos.
The attackers fired again, the sound of gunshots shattering the night as the truck skidded to a stop behind a cluster of trees. Gavin killed the engine and turned to Roxie, his eyes locking onto hers.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice urgent.
“Yeah,” she breathed, though her heart was pounding. “What now?”
Gavin reached into the backseat, pulling out a tactical bag. He opened it quickly, retrieving a handgun and an extra magazine. “We’re not sitting ducks,” he said, his tone firm. “Stay low, follow my lead, and don’t stop unless I tell you.”
Roxie nodded, swallowing hard. “Got it.”
They slipped out of the truck, using the trees for cover as Gavin surveyed their attackers. Two men had approached the truck’s front end, their flashlights sweeping through the grass. A third man remained by the SUV, his weapon trained in their general direction.
Gavin’s mind worked quickly, formulating a plan. He motioned for Roxie to stay put, crouching low as he moved silently through the shadows. His SEAL training kicked in, every step deliberate, every breath controlled.
The first attacker rounded the front of the truck, his flashlight beam slicing through the darkness. Gavin waited until the man was close, then sprang forward, grabbing the barrel of the rifle and yanking it upward. The attacker grunted in surprise, but Gavin didn’t hesitate. A swift blow to the man’s jaw sent him crumpling to the ground.
The second man turned at the noise, his flashlight swinging wildly. Gavin ducked behind the truck, his movements fluid as he fired a single shot. The bullet struck the man’s shoulder, causing him to drop his weapon with a pained shout.
“Gavin!” Roxie’s voice rang out, her tone sharp with warning.
The third attacker had closed in, his rifle aimed directly at Gavin. But before he could fire, Roxie grabbed a fallen branch and swung it with all her strength, hitting the man’s arm. His shot went wide, and Gavin seized the opening, firing a clean shot that disarmed him.
“Nice swing,” Gavin said, a flicker of pride in his voice as he grabbed Roxie’s arm and pulled her behind the truck.
“Thanks,” Roxie panted, her hands trembling. “What now?”
Gavin glanced toward the SUV, where the driver’s door had opened. A fourth man appeared, this one holding a shotgun. “We take the fight to them,” he said, his voice steady.
“Are you serious?” Roxie asked, her eyes wide.
“Dead serious,” Gavin replied. “Stay close.”
Gavin moved with precision, using the trees for cover as he closed the distance between them and the SUV. The shotgun-wielding man spotted them and fired, the blast shredding bark inches from Gavin’s shoulder.
“Stay here,” Gavin ordered, leaving Roxie behind a thick tree trunk as he flanked the shooter.
Gavin’s boots crunched softly against the dirt as he circled around. The attacker didn’t see him coming until it was too late. Gavin tackled him from the side, the shotgun flying out of his grasp as they hit the ground. With a swift, practiced motion, Gavin subdued the man, securing his hands with a zip tie from his bag.
“Clear,” Gavin called out, breathing hard as he looked back toward Roxie.
She emerged from behind the tree, her eyes scanning the scene with a mix of awe and disbelief. “You really are something,” she said, her voice tinged with both relief and admiration.
Gavin grinned, standing and dusting himself off. “Did you doubt it?”
Roxie’s lips curved into a faint smile, but the stress in her eyes remained. “Not really. What now?”
“We finish the job,” Gavin said, his tone resolute. “But first, we get you back to the ranch.”
As his truck was out of commission, Gavin commandeered their assailants SUV and they climbed in. His mind raced with possibilities. Whoever had sent these men wasn’t going to stop, and he was more determined than ever to end the threat once and for all.
And as he glanced at Roxie beside him, her face pale but steady, he knew one thing for certain—he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Not on his watch.
The SUV rumbled over the uneven road, the hum of the engine filling the tense silence between Gavin and Roxie. He kept his hands firmly on the wheel, his knuckles white as he gripped it. Roxie sat beside him, her gaze fixed out the window, though she didn’t seem to be looking at anything in particular.
Gavin’s mind raced, replaying the ambush in vivid detail. The flash of gunfire, the thud of his fists against one of the attackers, the guttural cries as he incapacitated the others—it was all second nature to him. But now, with Roxie in the mix, it felt different. He couldn’t help but wonder if she’d seen too much of the man he used to be, the one who thrived in combat but scared people when they got too close.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice gruff but quiet.
She turned toward him, her brows knitting. “I should be asking you that.”
“I’m fine,” Gavin said, too quickly. His gaze was fixed on the road. “Just... didn’t mean for you to see all that.”
“All what?” Roxie asked, her voice softening.
“The violence,” he said after a beat, his tone quieter now. “The things I had to do back there. I know it’s not... easy to watch.”
Roxie stared at him, her expression unreadable for an instant before she spoke. “Gavin, stop.”
“Stop what?” He glanced at her briefly, his jaw tightening.
“Stop acting like I’m some fragile flower who can’t handle reality,” she said firmly. “Do you think I don’t understand what it takes to survive? Or what it means to protect someone?”
Gavin’s grip on the wheel loosened slightly, though his shoulders remained tense. “It’s different when it’s up close,” he muttered. “When you see someone take a life.”
She let out a soft, almost disbelieving laugh. “Do you think I’m disgusted by you? Because of what you did back there?”
He didn’t respond immediately, the muscle in his jaw ticking as he kept his focus on the road. “A lot of people would be.”
“Well, I’m not one of them,” Roxie said, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. “What I saw back there wasn’t some mindless brute, Gavin. I saw a man doing everything he could to protect me. A man who’s willing to put himself in danger to make sure I stay alive.”
His chest tightened at her words, but he didn’t let himself fully relax. “You don’t think less of me?”
“Less of you?” She shook her head, incredulity in her tone. “If anything, it made me respect you more. Trust you more.”
The words hit him harder than he expected, cutting through the tension like a knife. He exhaled slowly, his shoulders easing for the first time since the ambush. “I didn’t expect you to say that.”
“Then maybe you don’t know me as well as you think,” Roxie said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “You can stop worrying about what I think, Gavin. I’m not scared of you. I’m scared of whoever’s trying to kill me. And I’m damn glad you’re on my side.”
The SUV turned onto the long dirt road leading to the ranch, the faint glow from the front porch light appearing through the trees. Gavin parked the vehicle and killed the engine, leaning back in his seat as the weight of the night settled over him.
“We’ll be safe here,” he said, his voice low.
Roxie nodded but didn’t move to get out. “You really think this is over?”
“No,” Gavin admitted, turning to face her fully. “I think it’s just starting.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes shadowed with worry. “How do you stay so calm? So... sure?”
“I’m not calm,” Gavin said honestly. “And I’m only sure of one thing—that I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her eyes softened, and she reached out, her hand brushing against his. The touch was fleeting but enough to send a spark through him. “I believe you,” she said quietly.
“Good,” he said, his voice firm but warm. “Because I mean it.”
“Your truck?” Hawke said stepping out on the porch.
“Back down the road aways. Use the GPS tracker and send a team. I left behind some assailants. They were well armed and I didn’t take the time to secure them or their guns. My guess is, they’ll be long gone, but better safe than sorry.”
“Damn,” said Hawke. “You never let anyone else have any fun.”
Gavin shook his head and chuckled, taking Roxie’s hand and leading her inside. “Jesse?” He called. “Double-check everything and give the patrol teams a heads up.”
“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.