Page 90 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
Heart pounding, I crawl across the floor toward Eli, who’s on the floor, tucked against the bed, crying loudly. As soon as I reach him, I gather him into my arms, shielding him with my body, and adrenaline floods my chest. My hands rub his hair and back, comforting as best as I can, but really trying to assure myself that he’s safe and whole.
Jax rushes toward Liam and Cole, adding to their careful counterattack. The three of them duck and weave behind theoverturned furniture shields they’d created, and I just try to keep Eli and me low and out of the way.
A bullet hits the nightstand far too close to us, and I know I need to get him out of this main room.
“Eli, baby, get on your belly and crawl to the bathroom,” I instruct, pulling him from me and placing him on his stomach.
He sobs but uses his elbows to move forward. “Great job, honey. Mommy’s right behind you, and your daddies will be right with us. Just keep going. Get inside the bathroom.
After what feels like an eternity, Eli is inside, still curled on the floor, and I finally pull myself over the threshold and close the door.
Brain scrambling to think, I come up with the best plan I can. The bathroom has a small window—just big enough for Eli and me to slip through. If we can get to our car, we can get out of here. There’s a tracker on it, and I know my men will find us.
Carefully, I guide Eli out first, then follow swiftly, my feet landing on the dusty ground. Turning, I freeze, terror gripping me.
A large, unfamiliar man stands behind Eli, holding him securely, a gun pressed to his small head. Eli’s wide, frightened eyes meet mine, my heart shattering.
The man’s voice is harsh, sharp. “Walk to the car behind me. No sudden moves.”
My pulse pounds, fear tightening in my chest as I comply. Eli’s safety matters more than anything else.
And as I step toward the waiting car, heart breaking with each step, I know everything has just changed irreparably. Just as I open the car door, a sharp blow to the back of my head startles me, and then everything goes black.
36
LIAM
Bullets tear through the motel walls, shattering glass and splintering wood around us, the sounds ricocheting in my ears. I duck behind cover, heart pounding, adrenaline surging through my veins. Instincts honed from years as a SEAL take control, my training kicking in with ruthless efficiency.
“Cover me!” I shout to Cole, who takes position and lays down suppressive fire. Jax moves alongside him with a precision that guides every movement. The room erupts in a fierce exchange, and each of us falls into practiced routines.
A bullet whizzes past my head, embedding into the wall behind me. Shifting positions, I return fire toward our unseen enemies. The room quickly fills with the acrid smell of gunpowder, and everything feels like a complete disaster.
It’s been a while since I’ve been in a shoot-out, and God, I did not miss it.
But strangely, just as soon as it began, the chaos stops. With no warning, the gunfire ceases, replaced by the screeching squeal oftires peeling away from the motel parking lot. Instinct screams at me, and I move toward the bathroom without thought.
When I enter, my eyes land on the open window, curtains fluttering in the breeze.
“Ava!” I shout, heart sinking as I stare helplessly at the empty space. “Eli!”
But the room answers only with stark, painful silence. I slam my fist into the doorframe, anger and dread surging through me. I spin toward Cole and Jax, eyes blazing, voice filled with urgency.
“They’ve taken her—move!” I snap, already running toward the door. Cole and Jax follow immediately, their eyes dark with rage and determination.
We sprint toward the car, adrenaline driving each step. The car door slams behind us as I grip the wheel, engine roaring to life. We peel out of the motel parking lot, tires screaming against the pavement.
“They couldn’t have gotten far,” Jax murmurs from behind me, eyes scanning for signs of Ava and Eli. His voice hardens with quiet fury. “We have to catch them now.”
“We will,” Cole assures, eyes narrowed on the darkened highway ahead. “No one touches our family.”
It doesn’t take long to spot the suspicious vehicles ahead, their sleek silhouettes moving down the otherwise deserted road. I ease back on the accelerator, careful not to alert them to our presence.
“I’m going to hang back a bit,” I tell them, eyes trained on the taillights ahead. “We follow them, see exactly where they’re taking her. The moment they stop, we move.”
Jax nods, tension evident despite his careful stance. “Copy that.”
We trail them, the highway stretching ahead, shadows lengthening across the quiet desert landscape. Whoever these bastards are, they’ll regret crossing us. My fists tighten around the wheel, rage simmering beneath my controlled calm.
