Page 80 of The SEALs' Single Mom Baby Surprise

I suck in a slow breath as hot tears drop down my cheeks to where my hands are sitting in my lap. My shoulders sink forward, my posture drooping. A hiccupping breath has me closing my eyes. I can’t believe I’m saying these things aloud.

“I’m not worth it, you know.” My voice is a warbling whisper. “I’m not worth any of this. All I do is fail and put burdens on other people. I don’t blame you if you resent me for this.”

Finally, I open my eyes again, bringing my hands up to wipe away the wetness. Jack’s features haven’t changed. God, he’s shut down. He’s in shock, truly angry. And now he’s stuck with me.

Emotions hitch my breath again as I say the one thing I know will hammer it all home. For all three of us, immersed in this performance.

I can’t forget that dark gaze burning along my skin as he revels in this. Hints of a smile touch Mikhal’s features. He’s amused by my tears, by these very real fears and insecurities of mine.

“I don’t know whose it is.” I meet Jack’s stony gaze again. If he didn’t know what I’m playing at before, he knows now. Of course, I don’t know whose it is. And of course, my worst fear is that all three of them will write me off for this and that one of them will hate me for permanently tying us together.

His eyes narrow, and I wish he wasn’t so good at this because the disappointment in them lands a real blow.

Tears start flowing again, and I don’t bother trying to stop them.

Jack’s jaw clenches.

I drop forward on my knees, my stomach clenches, and my tears turn into small sobs.

I’m drained dry. Tired. Defeated. Done with all of this, so I just stay curled over myself until I feel our captor move around us.

Mikhal hums. “Seems that our Sloane has exhausted herself. It takes much energy to be such a naughty girl.”

He bends on the other side of Jack again, taunting him on his knees.

“Being able to take three men at a time could prove a useful skill down here. In case you plan on giving her up.”

I feel Jack tense more than I see it.

“We might take her anyway.”

The best way to get him to break his stoicism, but he still doesn’t speak. I flinch.

Mikhal’s laughter follows him and his goons out the door. The silence that follows is filled with my heavy breaths as I slow my tears. It’s harder than I anticipated.

“Sloane.” God, Jack’s voice is soft.

I hiccup and pull up, blinking rapidly until my vision clears. Wiping the remnants of my tears clear, I peek up at him. His features have completely changed. They’re open and full of worries over me.

“Come here.”

I lift myself completely and tip into him, burying my face against his neck, the masculine scent of him calming me in ways that shouldn’t be possible. I wish he could wrap his arms around me.

“You okay? Have they hurt you?” he asks against my hair.

“No. Just a lot of threats.”

After another beat, he nuzzles me and leans back. I’m bereft without him, and the feeling catches me unaware. Holy shit, I’ve become so attached to him that I’m half convinced my performance has turned into more than that.

But he simply rolls back, jerks his arms, and snaps the bindings off his wrists.

A new wave of heat hits me, and he smiles when I meet his gaze again.

“Hot, right?”

God, yes. Yes, it is. As much as I hated his beefy muscles at the start, I’ve grown to enjoy the perks that come with them.

When he breaks mine open, tingles shoot up my arms, but I couldn’t care less. Jack finally draws me into his grasp, a false sense of safety.

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