Page 13 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
The kid at the desk pushes a plastic keycard toward me. “Room 108. Check out at eleven tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks.” I force a small smile, grabbing the keycard and leading Eli back outside. The chill bites deeper now, but we’re only a few doors down from the office. Eli stays pressed tight against me until we’re inside the room.
The air inside smells stale, like old cigarettes and mildew. Eli doesn’t seem to notice or care, immediately climbing onto the sagging floral bedspread. He kicks off his shoes, curls into a ball, and within seconds, his breathing deepens into sleep.
I drop our bags on the floor. My eyes sting from exhaustion and fear. The reality of our situation hits harder now. If Morales is operating off the grid, there’s no government assistance coming. No six months of prepaid cards like last time. No safety net at all. Just me, Eli, and a wallet dangerously close to empty.
I glance at the bedside table, noticing the ancient phone sitting silently next to a broken alarm clock. Morales said to use a landline to avoid any chance of Randy tracking us. I punch in the number with trembling hands. The line rings twice before Morales answers. “Hello?”
“It’s me,” I whisper, voice barely steady. “We’re here.”
“Good.” His voice is calm, in control, the opposite of how I feel right now. “Are you and Eli safe?”
“For now,” I answer honestly, glancing at Eli’s peaceful face. “But I don’t know how long. Is someone coming?”
“Yes,” Morales assures me quickly. “I called in a favor. I have a team coming. Three men. Military trained, off-grid. They’ll protect you and get you safely out of there. Trust them.”
I close my eyes, gripping the phone so it aches. Trust doesn’t come easily for me, especially right now. But Morales has never let me down. “You’re sure they’re safe?”
“They’re the only people I trust implicitly,” he repeats firmly. “Stay vigilant. They’ll find you soon.”
“Okay,” I murmur, desperate for reassurance. “Morales, please don’t let them take too long.”
“They’re already moving,” he says. “Stay alert. And Ava—keep Eli safe.”
“I will,” I promise quietly. The line goes dead, leaving silence pressing in on all sides. The phone feels heavier now as I set it back into place.
I move to the window, pulling aside the flimsy curtain to stare into the darkness outside. The parking lot is still deserted, but every shadow feels threatening, every sound suspicious. My heart pounds loudly, fear settling deeper in my chest with every passing second.
Turning back, I cross the room, double-checking the locks on the door. They’re flimsy, barely enough to keep out a strong breeze, let alone Randy’s men. I shiver again, dread pooling coldly in my gut. We’re trapped here, completely vulnerable, dependent on three strangers I don’t even know.
Eli murmurs in his sleep, and I force myself to breathe deeply, fighting back tears. I can’t lose control. Not now, when he needsme most. He trusts me completely and believes I’ll always keep him safe. It’s both comforting and terrifying.
I pace restlessly, unable to shake the feeling of being watched. Every sound outside makes me jump. The creaking of floorboards overhead, the distant sound of a car passing on the highway, and even the drip of water from the bathroom faucet set my nerves on edge.
Minutes drag by agonizingly. The silence feels oppressive now, the wait torturous. I can’t help but wonder what if Morales’s men don’t come in time? What if Randy finds us first?
Anxiety spikes, and I press my palms into my eyes, willing myself to calm down. Panic won’t help now. It won’t protect Eli. I need to stay alert, ready to act.
I walk back to Eli’s bed, adjusting the covers around him. My throat tightens again, but I swallow it down. He’s my strength, my reason for everything. No matter what it takes, I have to keep him safe.
Another noise startles me from outside. It’s closer this time, footsteps crunching softly on gravel. My heart leaps into my throat, pulse racing wildly. I move to the dresser, frantically searching for anything I can use as a weapon, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps.
A shadow crosses in front of our window, the silhouette lingering. My muscles tense painfully, every instinct screaming to protect Eli. I grip the edge of the dresser until my knuckles turn white, watching and waiting for whatever comes next.
6
COLE
The motel hallway is quiet, bathed in a sickly yellow glow from a dying overhead bulb. It’s late enough that anyone awake right now has something to hide. I glance to my left. Liam stands solid as granite, eyes narrowed, always calculating. On my right, Jax shifts restlessly, his fingers drumming impatiently against his thigh. He’s wired tight tonight, that reckless streak simmering just below the surface—typical Jax, looking for trouble even when we don’t need it.
Liam gives the signal, a sharp nod, and Jax knocks firmly on the motel door. We step back, not wanting to crowd whoever’s waiting inside. We’re here to protect, not frighten. Though at first glance, I’m pretty sure we’d do both equally well.
The door opens, only a crack at first, wary and defensive. I notice the chain is still attached, and the person behind it is understandably cautious. My muscles tense instinctively, experience telling me this can go south if we mishandle it. I keep my hands visible, posture relaxed, trying to radiate reassurance despite the late hour and our intimidating appearance.
“We’re here to help,” Liam says calmly, voice firm and authoritative. “Morales sent us.”
For a few beats, nothing happens. Then the door opens wider, just enough to reveal Ava’s face peering out at us, eyes sharp with suspicion and fear. She’s younger than I expected, petite but fierce, gripping what looks like a motel lamp in a tight fist, ready to use it if she has to. I silently give her credit. She’s braver than most civilians I’ve seen in similar situations.
