Page 76 of Single Mom's Navy Seals
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AVA
Eli’s breathing has finally evened out, soft and steady against my shoulder, letting me know he’s truly asleep this time. Carefully, I slip my arm out from beneath him, holding my breath when he shifts. Thankfully, he settles without waking.
I stand, easing my weight off the bed, and tiptoe out of the room, leaving the door cracked just in case he calls out. A quick glance at my watch tells me I’ve been in there longer than expected, trying to get him down for a nap. The afternoon sun already filters through the hallway windows, casting warm shadows along the walls as I make my way downstairs.
When I reach the living room, it’s surprisingly quiet. The entire house feels empty with only the sounds coming from the faint hum of the fridge and the ticking of the old wall clock. My brow furrows slightly. It’s unusual for the guys to all vanish at once. I glance around, feeling oddly unsettled by the stillness, and move toward the front door, stepping out onto the porch.
The porch is empty too. I peer around the side of the cabin but see no one. Curiosity piqued, I turn, heading around the back. AsI approach, I hear a series of faint, muted pops that I recognize—gunshots. But softer, suppressed. They must be using silencers.
Rounding the corner, I spot them behind the house, standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Liam, Cole, and Jax are all focused intently as they aim their pistols toward a row of cans lined atop the wooden fence.
I pause at the corner, watching. There’s an effortless precision in their movements, a disciplined rhythm as they take turns firing at the cans, knocking each one neatly from the fence. It’s impressive, watching how steady they hold their weapons, their calm, controlled breaths. Something about the sight reassures me even more.
They’ve been acting slightly strange since Liam spoke with Morales yesterday. None of them offered details, and I didn’t press, sensing they were deliberately shielding me from something. My gut tells me it’s about Randy. Maybe Morales had news, and they were afraid of upsetting me or triggering old fears.
The funny thing is, for the first time, I’m not afraid. Not even a little. These three men make me feel safer than I’ve ever felt in my life. I’ve been living under constant fear for years, always anticipating the next crisis. But here, with them, that anxiety has simply faded away. They’ve given me something I’ve never had—security. It’s still hard to fully trust, but they’re teaching me, one gentle step at a time.
It’s been almost two weeks since we fell into this unconventional arrangement, and not a single day has felt wrong or strained. Instead, it’s felt natural and truly right, even. Each moment with them has felt easy and natural. The idea of them suddenly disappearing no longer lurks in the back of my mind. I’m nolonger bracing myself for loss. It’s oddly freeing, not worrying about tomorrow or questioning what comes next.
The more I watch them, the more I realize how deeply they’ve become part of my life. Not just as protectors or friends, but as something deeper, woven seamlessly into the fabric of my world. I never imagined feeling this way again, not after Randy, not after everything. But I do, and it’s incredible.
Lost in thought, I barely notice when Jax glances over his shoulder, his gaze meeting mine. A smile immediately spreads across his face.
“Ava,” he calls, waving me over. “Come here.”
Liam and Cole turn, lowering their weapons, matching smiles on their faces. I walk toward them, feeling oddly shy now that I've been caught observing.
“What are you guys up to?” I ask, nodding at the guns and targets. “Besides terrorizing innocent soda cans?”
“Just keeping sharp,” Liam replies easily, giving me a steady look. “Just staying sharp, in case things ever get serious.”
“You mentioned you could shoot,” Cole says, curiosity sparking in his gaze. “How good are you?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Nowhere near as impressive as you three, trust me. But yeah, I can shoot.”
“Show us what you got,” Jax challenges playfully, already stepping aside to make space for me.
“Alright,” I say, giving in with an amused sigh. Cole resets six new cans on the fence line, then hands me his pistol, hisfingers brushing against mine. The cool weight of the gun settles comfortably in my grip.
Stepping forward, I take a deep breath, steadying myself as I line up the sights. Carefully, methodically, I squeeze the trigger, feeling the subtle recoil as the first can tumbles backward off the fence. My confidence grows with each shot, and when I lower the weapon, five out of the six cans are knocked cleanly away.
I turn around, raising a brow teasingly. “Not bad, right?”
Cole chuckles, clearly impressed. “Definitely not bad.”
“Let me show you something,” Liam says, and I try not to shiver at the feeling of his breath against my neck. “You’re good, but this will make you steadier.”
Liam steps close behind me. He places his hands gently but firmly on my hips, adjusting my stance, his chest brushing against my back as he guides my posture.
Heat rushes through me, pulse quickening as his touch lingers. I glance over my shoulder, and our faces are mere inches apart. The air between us thickens, charged with electricity.
Before I fully realize what I'm doing, my free hand reaches back, resting against his chest. Liam leans down, capturing my lips in a kiss that sends sparks racing down my spine. It’s brief but potent, and when we pull apart, I’m breathing faster, my heart hammering in my chest.
A slow, teasing whistle comes from Jax. “Seems like target practice just got a whole lot more interesting.”
Cole shakes his head, chuckling. “Upstairs to Liam’s room, maybe?”
