Page 6 of Her Faithful Protector

Ava and I only spent a few days together. When we parted, I tried to play it cool. But inside, everything in me throbbed, like I was driven to the point of desperation. I wish I’d given her more than just my jacket or a friendly hug when she looked to need extra warmth. Sadly, we only used the weather as an excuse to get close to each other—nothing more.

The captain raises his eyes to me, expecting further clarification. I could’ve pretended the emergency concerned Sam or my father, my only family, but I prefer to handle the situation without lying to my superior.

Realizing I’m not going to even defend myself, the captain continues. “You haven’t taken leave in over a year, and you’re one of the most dedicated Marines I’ve known, maybe even obsessed. However, I have a knack for reading minds, Lieutenant. Is this friend of yours the one who’s been distracting you?”

“Sir?”

“Granted, you were never distracted while on duty, and you haven’t put a foot wrong in any given mission. I heard about your actions in Kabul when the city fell. You were offered a flight out, but you declined, letting your men depart instead. You were one of the last few to leave.”

“Any leader in my position would have done the same. Those men had a family back home.”

“Here’s the thing, Lieutenant. To me, you act like you’re onduty all the time. And don’t deny it. You try to hide the fact that you’ve been thinking ofher.”

A creeping warmth makes its way up the back of my neck, leaving me uneasy. Seven months ago, I discovered that she had given birth to a baby. That means she was pregnant when we met. It was painful, but I still care about her. Perhaps more than just caring, but less than love, because love cannot simply blossom in a matter of days.

My captain knows how to read me, but I attempt to deny him anyway. “With all due respect, sir, that’s not true.”

He narrows his lips as he reclines against his leather chair. “How long do you need, Jack?”

He calls me by my first name only when we’re off duty or when he softens his stance during a disagreement. I know he will understand, but something shifts in me. I feel a sense of belonging to the Corps, but what I feel for Ava surpasses that loyalty. Forher, I’ll do anything.

“The whole thirty days,” I respond.

“You’ve dedicated your life to the Corps. It wouldn’t be right for me to deny your request. But if there’s a chance you may exceed your allotted time, you must inform me beforehand.”

“Understood, sir.”

“You’re dismissed.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I rush back to my apartment at the base, where the boxes containing my research on my abduction await me, like pets welcoming their master home.

It has become a routine for me to dig into the photos, maps, and leads after a long day in uniform. Night after night, I tirelessly piece together the fragments—attempting to reconstruct my childhood and identify the man who destroyed it—only to reshuffle them and start over. I collect scattered visions from my dreams and nightmares and combine them with solid evidence, yet they never quite align.

But tonight, it’s not about me. It’s Ava who I need to find, and I won’t rest until I do.

3

AVA

Helena, Montana

Everything that could possibly gowrong seems to go wrong. I’m running incredibly late and with no means of communication, Morgan must be worried sick. My new phone’s battery got fried during its very first charge. By the time I realized it, it was too late to get a replacement because I ended up getting lost in the middle of nowhere. Even worse, my on-and-off breathing problem has made me stop more than I wanted.

This morning, I have no choice but to arrive unannounced and apologize for ruining my best friend’s honeymoon. I feel guilty as hell, but I know Morgan wouldn’t go without knowing I’m safe.

“We’re almost there, baby,” I try to comfort Quinton. Crying is a recurring theme for him this morning as he bawls once more.

While I can manage the exhaustion and the drive itself, the constant need to be on high alert is taking a toll on me.But we all have to arrive in one piece, so I’ll just have to prop myself up and make it.

“Where’s your giraffe?” I’m on a narrow stretch of road, and I can’t stop. So I just have to rely on Elmo to comfort my boy. Elmo nuzzles at him, persisting to cheer up his little boss even though the pup is clearly worn out.

Despite all the commotion, a smile finds its way onto my face as I admire the scenery spreading before me. The first rays of sunlight slowly pierce through the horizon, casting gentle shades of pink and golden yellow onto the Montana sky as if painting a fresh masterpiece. A reward, a greeting, a much-needed reprieve.

I crack open my window, letting in the crisp air and the fresh scent of nature. The gentle touch of the breeze brushes against my skin. This may not be the typical ‘me time’ that people talk about, but it’s enough to convince me today’s going to be alright.

The address that Morgan gave turns out to be a small house several miles outside Helena.

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