Page 13 of Single Mom’s Navy Seals (Claimed by the Alphas #2)

JAX

T he car’s been silent for hours, nothing but the soft sound of Liam’s news station crackling through the speakers and the steady drone of the engine.

Normally, I’d complain loudly about Liam’s taste in entertainment, but at this point, even the mind-numbing drone of a traffic update feels strangely comforting.

I stretch out my legs as best I can, cramped in the seat behind Cole, who sits statue-still up front, his head tilted toward the window.

In the quiet, every slight sound seems amplified.

The muted whisper of tires on the asphalt.

The gentle rustle of clothing whenever one of us shifts position.

It’s been hours since we stopped to stretch, and my back aches with the relentless stiffness that comes with being stuck in a car for far too long.

Glancing to my left, I can’t help but smile softly at the sight of Ava and Eli, both completely knocked out, mouths hanging open in identical sleepy expressions, soft snores harmonizing.

Eli’s tiny head rests against Ava’s side, his small hand curled around the hem of her sweater.

Ava leans her head against the window, strands of her brown hair falling haphazardly across her face, fluttering with each breath.

She’d stayed up the whole first day we’d driven.

I’d noticed. Today, though, she made it eight hours.

But, both of them fell asleep within a few minutes of each other.

They’d been peacefully snoring like disgustingly cute little bears since then.

Even now, slouched against the window with her hair messy and lips slightly parted, she looks.

.. real. Not flawless. Not dolled up. But raw and beautiful in a way that wrecks me more than it should.

I’ve had a hard time tearing my gaze away from either of them for the past four hours. Especially when it comes to the brunette who seems to have captured my total infatuation.

I like to think I’m not easily captured by a pretty face, so I’m willing to admit that whatever weird things I feel for the women on the other side of me, they are deeper than the physical.

She’s beautiful, sure. Any man with eyes could see that.

But there’s something else about her that pulls me in deeper, something I haven't encountered before. I’ve known plenty of women, more than I probably should admit, but none of them ever stuck in my thoughts like Ava.

It might be Eli. The kid’s already wormed his way into my heart, and maybe Ava comes with that territory. But even as I rationalize it, I know it’s not the whole truth.

Liam clears his throat, breaking me out of my reverie.

“We’re about thirty minutes out,” he says, his deep voice rumbling softly from the front seat. “I found a small motel off the main roads. It should be safe enough to stop for the night.”

Cole grunts an affirmative, his usual eloquence on full display.

I lean forward, careful not to wake Ava or Eli. “You sure it’s secure, Liam?”

Liam’s eyes flick up to meet mine briefly in the rearview mirror, calm and assured. “As secure as it gets out here. It’s small, remote, nothing that should draw attention.”

“Good,” I say, nodding as I glance again toward Ava and Eli. “They need a break. This kind of drive isn’t easy on them.”

Liam nods once, eyes back on the road. “Exactly. Once we get there, I’ll check us in alone, scope it out, and text you two when it’s clear.”

“Understood,” Cole mutters, shifting in his seat.

The silence returns, and I sink back against the seat, eyes again drawn helplessly toward Ava’s sleeping form.

She stirs, her mouth closing before falling open again as she slips deeper into sleep.

She shifts again, murmuring under her breath, and something warm flares in my chest at the simple, peaceful sight.

We reach the motel quicker than I expect, the low buildings appearing out of the darkness like shadowy specters. Liam parks around back, in a spot shielded by trees, engine idling.

“Stay put,” he instructs, stepping out smoothly and disappearing toward the front office.

As silence settles again, I glance toward Cole. He’s still facing out the window, expression unreadable.

“So,” I say, lowering my voice even further, “what do you think of Ava and Eli? They seem...different, right?”

Cole’s gaze flicks briefly to mine, eyes narrowed. “Different from what?”

I shrug, uncomfortable under his steady scrutiny. “Just...I don’t know. They’re good people. Genuine. Ava’s stronger than she looks, and Eli? He’s a great kid.”

Cole grunts again, eyes back out the window. “Yeah.”

I roll my eyes, sighing in frustration. Of course, the broody bastard would refuse to elaborate. “You’re a great conversationalist, Cole, you know that?”

He snorts, a faint smirk ghosting across his lips. “You talk enough for both of us.”

“Fair,” I concede, smiling despite myself as my eyes drift again toward Ava.

Her lips part softly as she exhales a deep breath, eyelashes fluttering in sleep.

My gaze lingers longer than it should, tracing the soft curve of her cheek, the delicate dip of her collarbone.

I shouldn’t be watching her like this. But damn if I can help it.

“I just mean, there’s something about them.

Ava—she’s got depth, you know? I can’t quite figure her out yet. ”

Cole’s gaze meets mine briefly again, something unreadable in his expression. “Maybe that’s the point. Maybe you’re not supposed to.”

I pause, considering his words. Maybe he’s right. But even still, I find myself inexplicably wanting to know her better, to unravel whatever mystery lies behind those guarded hazel eyes.

Cole’s phone buzzes, and he glances down briefly. “We’re clear.”

I nod and gently touch Ava’s shoulder. She stirs, eyes flying open in a panic before recognition settles in.

“Hey,” I say, “it’s just me. We’re at the motel.”

“Oh,” she whispers sleepily, blinking rapidly to clear the fog of exhaustion. “Okay. Eli, honey, wake up.”

Eli murmurs, leaning further into Ava’s side. “Don’t wanna.”

“I know, sweetie,” Ava soothes, stroking his hair. “Just a few minutes, okay?”

“Kay,” Eli agrees grudgingly, sitting up with heavy eyes.

We step from the car, Cole and I grabbing the duffel bags and guiding Ava and Eli across the still parking lot. Ava moves like she’s underwater, each step slow and unsteady, exhaustion clearly weighing heavily on her.

Inside the motel room, Eli yawns widely, eyes barely open, as Ava guides him toward the small bathroom.

She silently washes his face, brushes his teeth, and helps him into pajamas, every movement gentle and patient despite her exhaustion.

When she finally lifts him onto the bed, he collapses into sleep, small snores filling the room.

Ava disappears into the bathroom herself, emerging moments later in a worn, oversized T-shirt that hits just above her knees.

All three of us freeze, eyes involuntarily tracing the soft curve of her thighs beneath the hem of the shirt.

Ava’s oblivious, her eyes heavy-lidded with sleep as she crawls onto the bed beside Eli, lying down and immediately slipping into deep, even breaths.

Cole clears his throat, eyes averted. Liam shifts awkwardly, turning toward me with a faint smirk.

“Guess sleeping arrangements just got interesting.”

I roll my eyes, forcing a casual smirk despite the unexpected tightness in my chest. “One bed, a couch, and an armchair. I’ve had worse.”

Liam nods, glancing toward Ava again. His face softens, then sharpens again. “I’ll take first watch.”

“No,” I argue immediately, shaking my head. “You drove all day, Liam. Get some rest. I’ve got first watch.”

Liam hesitates, clearly reluctant, but finally nods. “Fine. Wake me up in three hours.”

He sprawls awkwardly onto the couch, long legs dangling off the end, head propped against the armrest. Cole settles into the armchair, legs stretched out, eyes closing almost.

I lean back against the wall, watching silently as my companions slip into sleep. The room fills with the soft sounds of breathing—Eli and Ava’s matching snores harmonizing, Cole’s deeper breaths steady and even, Liam’s quiet exhales calm and controlled.

My eyes drift again toward Ava, the soft rise and fall of her chest beneath her oversized shirt strangely mesmerizing. I’m surprised to find a quiet calm settling over me, the chaotic restlessness that usually hums beneath my skin temporarily quieted by the peaceful sounds of sleep surrounding me.

I’ve never been one to find comfort in stillness or quiet. But in this small, dim motel room, surrounded by the unexpected family we’ve formed in this chaos, I feel a rare peace settle inside my chest.

I glance around again, taking in each sleeping form—Liam, the calm leader I’d follow into hell; Cole, the strong, silent protector who never lets us down; Eli, the innocent child who’s already stolen pieces of my heart; and Ava, the unexpectedly captivating woman who’s managed to slip past every defense I’ve ever built.

I close my eyes, breathing deeply as the quiet wraps around me, offering a fleeting moment of calm.

Why does this—of all places, of all situations—feel like the most peace I’ve ever known?

The quiet stretches on, soft breathing filling the room, and I know deep in my bones that this fragile peace can’t possibly last.

But God, how I wish it could.

The room has settled into silence again, thick and peaceful. Just as I’m starting to close my eyes, a quiet rustle draws my attention. Ava stirs under the covers, blinking slowly in the dim light.

I lift my head, watching her shift, careful not to wake Eli, who’s curled against her like a sleepy koala.

She doesn’t speak, just pulls the blanket tighter and sighs softly, her gaze landing on me across the room.

It’s not the usual guarded look. This one’s softer, like her defenses are finally letting a few cracks show.

I nod at her gently. She doesn’t smile, but something passes between us, an understanding maybe. We’re in this together now, whether she trusts us yet or not.

“Can’t sleep?” I ask, my voice low.

She shakes her head faintly, brushing a curl away from her cheek. “Too wired. Too tired. My brain can’t figure out which.”

I sit up a little, patting the spot next to me on the floor. “C’mere. Sometimes it helps just to sit up a bit. Breathe.”

She hesitates for a moment, wary, like always, but then she carefully shifts Eli’s sleeping body and slips out from under the covers. Her movements are slow and deliberate. When she settles beside me on the carpet, she keeps a few inches of space between us.

We sit like that for a while, backs resting against the base of the bed, legs stretched out toward the motel TV stand. The silence is surprisingly comfortable.

“I’m not used to quiet,” she says eventually. “Real quiet, I mean. The kind that doesn’t feel... dangerous.”

“I know the kind,” I say quietly. “When I got out of the Navy, silence was the worst. Made everything echo louder.”

She glances over at me, studying me for a moment before returning her gaze to the carpet. “Is that what this is? Echoes?”

“Maybe.” I risk a sideways look. “Or maybe it’s your brain trying to believe you’re safe... but not quite trusting it yet.”

She huffs a soft laugh. “That sounds exactly like my brain. Annoying as hell.”

We fall into another silence. Her shoulder bumps mine once, lightly, as she adjusts her position. Neither of us pulls away.

“Jax,” she murmurs after a long pause, “thank you for keeping Eli laughing today. I think it was the first time in weeks he looked like a regular kid.”

The way she says it, grateful but quietly broken, makes something tighten in my chest. “He’s a great kid,” I say honestly. “You’ve done a damn good job with him, Ava.”

Her breath catches slightly, and she dips her head, a few curls falling forward.

A few minutes later, her head tips against my shoulder. At first, I think she’s just resting, but then her breathing deepens, slow and steady. She’s out cold.

I sit there, not moving a damn muscle, just listening to the weight of her sleep settle between us. I don’t have the heart to wake her or shift her away. Not after the walls she’s kept up since day one. I shouldn’t want this. But I do. More than I’ll admit.

Eventually, when my shoulder starts to go numb, I glance over at Cole, who’s now awake and watching us silently from across the room. He nods once and moves toward the bed. Together, we gently guide Ava up and help her back under the covers beside Eli. She doesn’t wake.

Cole pulls the blanket over her. I linger for just a moment, watching her face relax into something peaceful.

Then I turn away, the ghost of her weight still warming my shoulder, and settle into my spot for the night. But sleep doesn’t come easily. Not with the memory of her soft breath against my neck still echoing in the quiet.