Page 5 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
“Corruption,” Morales says, the disgust evident in his voice. “Someone got bought. There’s no other explanation. This case has too many eyes on it, too many powerful people involved. This judge, they got to him. Now he’s granting them time to drag the case out indefinitely, weakening it at every step.”
My mind reels, desperation clawing at my throat. The flash drive, the evidence I risked everything to gather, was supposed to be enough to keep Randy locked away forever. It was supposed to buy Eli and me a permanent reprieve from the fear, violence, and the constant looking over our shoulders. It was supposed to finally bring down not just Randy, but the whole rotten organization behind him. How could it all fall apart so easily?
“So, what does this mean for us?” My voice is barely audible, and for a moment, I’m not even sure Morales can hear me. I hate the vulnerability in my tone, hate that after all these years, Randy’s shadow still has such power over me.
Morales pauses before answering, choosing his words. “Right now, Ava, it means things aren’t stable. Randy’s back on the street, furious, with resources we can’t match. And you know as well as I do, he’s not the forgiving type.”
The understatement makes my skin crawl. Randy isn’t just unforgiving. He’s ruthless, relentless, and dangerously patient. If he’s managed to work the system this far, then getting to me would be child’s play.
“Is he already looking for me?” The question comes out barely louder than a whisper. My gaze shifts instinctively toward Eli’s bedroom door, ajar, the soft sound of his breathing filtering through. Innocent. Unaware. Safe, for now.
Morales’s hesitation tells me more than words ever could. “We don’t know for certain, but it’s safe to assume he’ll use whatever resources he can to track you down.”
The fragile sense of safety I’ve clung to for five years crumbles to dust beneath me. Panic creeps up, tightening around my chest like a vice, squeezing out every ounce of oxygen until I feel light-headed. I clutch the counter harder, knuckles aching with the force of my grip.
“What am I supposed to do?” I ask, my voice trembling. “Just sit here and wait for him to find us?”
Morales exhales, his frustration bleeding through the line. “Officially, my hands are tied. I’ve pushed for emergency relocation, but the higher-ups won’t approve it without a new threat assessment. They want procedure, paperwork, endless red tape. It could take days, maybe weeks.”
“Weeks?” The word slips out, high-pitched and terrified. A lot can happen in a day. Too much can happen. Randy has money, influence, and a vendetta that won’t wait for bureaucracy. “We don’t have days or weeks, Morales. If he’s out, he’ll find us before then.”
“I know,” Morales snaps, sounding as frustrated and angry as I feel. “Believe me, Ava. I fucking know. But until something changes, until I can get authorization to move you, there’s nothing official I can do.”
“So that’s it?” My heart pounds painfully, the sound echoing in my ears, drowning out everything else. The walls of the cabin feel too close, oppressive, like they’re closing in on me. “We’re on our own?”
“You’re not on your own,” Morales says firmly, but I can hear the tension beneath the assurance. “But my resources are limited without authorization. I need you to be ready to move. Quickly.”
“Quickly?” I echo, voice shaking, my mind racing.
How can I move? How can I pack up Eli’s entire life, ripping him away from everything he knows? I promised him safety, stability, and now that’s gone too.
“And what am I supposed to tell Eli? He’s only five, Morales. He deserves better than this.”
“I know he does,” Morales says, his tone softening. “And I’ll do everything I can to push this through. But for now, you need to be vigilant. Be ready. And whatever you do, keep your head down. Don’t draw attention to yourself.”
I close my eyes, squeezing back tears of frustration and fear. I’ve spent years mastering invisibility, blending into the shadows to keep us safe. And it still wasn’t enough.
“What am I even waiting for?” I demand bitterly, hating the helplessness I feel. “For Randy to show up on my doorstep?”
Morales’s voice is tight, strained with the weight of responsibility he can’t quite fulfill. “Stay calm. We’re monitoringthe situation closely. If anything changes, you’ll be the first to know.”
Stay calm. Easier said than done. My mind spins with worst-case scenarios, memories of Randy’s violent temper, the coldness in his eyes. He doesn’t just want revenge. He wants suffering. He wants punishment for daring to betray him, for daring to seek freedom.
The silence stretches between us, filled only by the quiet hum of static. Eventually, Morales clears his throat, breaking the tense quiet.
“I’ll call you the second something changes. Just keep your phone close.”
“Okay,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “Thanks.”
He hesitates a second longer, then ends the call abruptly, leaving me clutching a silent phone and the heavy weight of uncertainty.
The cabin is suffocating now, every shadow sharp-edged and threatening, as if Randy himself is lurking in every corner. I pace, trying to work off the panicked energy vibrating under my skin. My fingers ache from the relentless wringing of my hands, and I force myself to stop, digging my nails into my palms instead.
I can’t do this again. I can’t live this nightmare twice.
My gaze shifts involuntarily to Eli’s bedroom door. It’s slightly ajar, allowing a sliver of soft lamplight to filter into the living room. He’s in there, sleeping peacefully, unaware that his world is about to implode again. Guilt twists my stomach into knots. It’s my fault he’ll never know a normal childhood, never have thesecurity other kids take for granted. But he’ll be alive. I’ll make sure of that, no matter what I have to do.
I swallow down a bitter lump and move toward his room. I need to be close to him, reassure myself he’s still safe, still mine. The old wooden floor creaks beneath my feet, each step louder than the last, and I pause outside his door, listening. His steady breathing fills the room, soft and even, a balm against the chaos raging inside me.
