Page 92 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
He continues to fight, adrenaline flaring, but within seconds, his movements slow considerably. Finally, his body relaxes into unconsciousness. Carefully, I ease him to the ground beside his companion, neatly hidden from immediate view.
Standing, I brush loose gravel from my clothing, heart beating steadily and calmly. Retrieving their discarded weapons, I stashthem securely in the nearby brush, rendering them useless should the guards regain consciousness prematurely.
Glancing toward the warehouse door, I steady myself, taking a deep breath. Without hesitation, I turn toward the door, prepared for whatever waits inside. I step inside the warehouse, eyes adjusting to the dim, shadowed interior. Carefully, I scan the area for any sign of Ava and Eli, my heart tightening with determination. Cole and Jax slip into place beside me, nodding to signal that their positions outside are secured. We move, weapons raised and senses alert. My gaze lands on a closed door at the back of the warehouse, with faint, muffled voices coming from behind it.
“Through there,” I whisper, my voice controlled. “Stay alert.”
We approach, and the voices behind the door grow clearer.
I grip the doorknob, heart pounding with adrenaline, eyes focused ahead. This is it. Our family is on the other side of this door, and we will get them back.
Whatever it takes.
37
AVA
My head throbs as consciousness returns, reluctantly, pulling me from the comfort of oblivion into an immediate sense of panic. My body feels heavy and disoriented. As my eyes flicker open, I realize I’m seated in an uncomfortable metal chair, the cold edges biting into my wrists. Ropes dig into my skin, holding me in place. My heartbeat quickens, breath coming in shallow, anxious gulps. I look around the room, panic blooming hotly in my chest.
“Mommy?”
Relief floods me at the sound of Eli’s small, scared voice. He’s next to me—thankfully unrestrained—eyes wide, cheeks streaked with drying tears. I exhale shakily, the tension in my shoulders easing just slightly at the sight of him unharmed.
“I’m right here, baby,” I reassure him, forcing calm into my voice despite the turmoil raging inside me. “Are you okay, Eli? Are you hurt?”
Eli shakes his head, eyes glistening.
“No, Mommy, but I’m scared.” His voice breaks, wobbling on the edge of fresh tears. “I want my daddies. Why aren’t they here yet?”
My chest aches painfully at his question, helplessness twisting like a knife in my gut. I keep my voice gentle, even though I feel anything but calm.
“It’s gonna be okay, Eli. Your daddies will come for us soon. I promise.”
Before Eli can reply, the door swings open, creaking loudly. My heart drops into my stomach as Randy steps into view. Time has not been kind to him. His features look harsher, meaner, the cruelty I remember now etched permanently into his face.
He scowls, voice dripping with disgust as he gestures at Eli. “What the hell is he going on about, crying nonstop for his ‘daddies’? Is that what you’ve turned my son into?”
I feel sick at the possessiveness in his voice, anger igniting inside me. Before I can respond, Eli looks between us, confusion and fear written plainly across his small face.
“Mommy, is this man really my father? He said he’s my daddy, but you told me my real daddy was dead.”
I freeze, guilt and sorrow swirling inside me at Eli’s confused, frightened expression. Randy turns his glare directly onto me, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
“So not only do you steal from me, run from me, and hide my son from me, but you’ve been telling him I’m dead,” he spits bitterly, stepping closer with clenched fists.
Gathering every ounce of courage I possess, I lift my chin defiantly, my voice trembling with barely controlled rage. “Eli is not your son. He could never belong to someone as evil as you.”
Randy raises his hand, poised as if to strike, but Eli cries out in terror. “Stop it! Leave Mommy alone!”
Surprisingly, Randy pauses, his hand lowering as a twisted smile creeps across his face. He shrugs casually, eyes cold and calculating.
“You know what, Ava? It doesn’t matter. Now that I’ve struck my deal with that fool Ben, I’ll be walking free. My idiot boss will take the fall for everything, and I’ll have my heir to raise exactly how I choose.”
My pulse races, blood running ice-cold in my veins at the horrifying implication. Determination floods me, pushing aside the fear.
“I would never let that happen. Never.”
Randy laughs cruelly, shaking his head. “Who said you’d even be around to stop me?”
