Page 17 of Single Mom’s Navy Seals (Claimed by the Alphas #2)

AVA

T he SUV hums along steadily, a monotonous vibration that has settled deep into my bones.

I shift uncomfortably in the cramped back seat, the leather stiff beneath my thighs.

My eyes feel gritty, and I’m still tired as hell, but I’m awake.

Eli’s still up, and while I’ve gotten to the point of being able to sleep when he does, I can’t close my eyes if his aren’t.

Eli fidgets beside me, his small sneaker-clad feet swinging back and forth. His blue eyes stare blankly out the window at the endless blur of trees and highway. It’s our last day of driving, and this feels like the worst of the three.

We’ve been driving for hours, and despite the snacks from earlier, he’s clearly growing agitated. I know him well enough to recognize the subtle signs—the way he picks at the frayed edge of his seatbelt, the soft, frustrated sighs escaping him every few minutes.

“Liam, if you don’t change this radio station soon, I might seriously lose my mind,” Jax complains from the passenger seat, tipping his head back dramatically against the headrest. “Nobody under fifty should willingly listen to this much talk radio.”

Liam doesn’t bother responding, merely casting a pointed glance toward Jax before deliberately turning up the volume another notch. Liam sits silently in the driver’s seat, jaw tight, eyes locked on the road ahead, the corners of his mouth twitching in what might be amusement.

But who the hell knows for Mr. Stick Up His Ass. Yes, I am still feeling sensitive about his dickish behavior this morning. No, I won't inspect why his opinion holds so much weight on my mood.

“Thanks, a—uh, jerk,” Jax grumbles, shaking his head with exaggerated annoyance. “Next time I’m driving.”

“You always say that,” Cole counters evenly. “Yet somehow, you always end up in the passenger seat.”

“Yeah, because I’m usually the one keeping everyone entertained,” Jax retorts, shooting a pointed look toward Eli and me in the backseat. “Right, Eli? You like it better when I’m the DJ, don’t you?”

Eli giggles, leaning forward. “Yeah! You play the good music, Jax. This is boring.”

Cole shakes his head, the faintest hint of amusement coloring his usually stoic expression. Jax twists in his seat, winking playfully at Eli.

“See? Told you, Cole. Democracy rules.”

Despite my exhaustion, I can’t help but smile faintly at their banter. My eyes drift shut, my body sagging against the door as fatigue washes over me again.

Eli’s small hand tugs insistently at my sleeve, startling me back to alert. “Mommy?”

“Yeah, baby?” My voice comes out rougher than I intend, throat scratchy with exhaustion. I clear my throat and blink away the sleep in my eyes.

“I gotta pee,” Eli whispers loudly, squirming uncomfortably in his booster seat. “And I’m hungry again.”

My heart sinks, anxiety tightening painfully in my chest. We’d stopped earlier at a gas station, but after filling the tank and grabbing snacks, the cash left in my wallet is dangerously low.

Two hundred dollars—that’s all I have left for both of us.

It’s nowhere near enough to get us safely wherever Morales intends for us to go.

My stomach twists, panic swelling within me at the stark realization of our situation.

I swallow, forcing my voice steady. “Okay, sweetie. We’ll stop soon, alright?”

“Can we stop now?” Eli pleads, his blue eyes wide and desperate. “I really gotta go, Mommy.”

I glance anxiously toward the front of the SUV, catching Liam’s gaze briefly in the rearview mirror. “Is there somewhere we can stop nearby?”

Liam's answer is easy: “Yeah. There’s a small rest stop about three miles ahead. We can take a quick break there.”

I nod, relief mingling with my anxiety. Eli’s face breaks into a grateful smile, and he now easily settles, leaning his head back against the seat and staring impatiently out the window.

Jax twists around, expression curious as he watches me. His blue eyes narrow, clearly catching the faint tension radiating from my posture.

“You okay, Ava?”

“I’m fine,” I reply, forcing my voice casual despite the tight knot of panic in my stomach.

How fucking embarrassing is this? God, I knew I should’ve put more money from my last commission aside, but Rocket got hurt a few weeks ago, and Eli was devastated, so I had to take him to the vet.

Jax raises an eyebrow skeptically but thankfully doesn’t press further. He offers a small, reassuring smile instead before turning back around, resuming his easy banter with Cole.

I exhale shakily, discreetly pulling my wallet from my pocket and flipping it open.

The remaining bills inside seem pathetically thin, the money barely enough to keep us afloat another day or two at best. My throat tightens painfully, dread curling darkly in my chest. I don’t know what we’re going to do.

Morales had said nothing about additional funds, nothing about how we’re expected to survive this endless drive.

The SUV finally slows, pulling smoothly into a small rest stop nestled alongside the highway. Liam parks, scanning the area briefly before nodding once in satisfaction.

“Looks clear. Let’s make this quick.”

Eli’s already fumbling with his seatbelt, bouncing in his seat. “Hurry, Mommy!”

“Coming, baby,” I murmur, forcing myself to sound calm as I help him out of his booster seat and onto the pavement.

Jax is already out of the car, stretching his long limbs as he yawns widely. “God, I needed this break.”

Eli tugs insistently at my hand. “Can we get food too, Mommy? Like real food?”

I glance around and try to ignore the anxiety spiking again. There’s a small counter in the gas station's rest stop area right in front of us. I can't lie, the warm, inviting scent of greasy comfort food drifting enticingly on the breeze.

Eli gazes up at me pleadingly, eyes hopeful and hungry, completely unaware of my internal turmoil.

“Can we, Mommy? Please?” he begs, his small fingers tightening around mine.

I force a weak smile, squeezing his hand. “Of course, sweetie. Let's see what they have.”

My chest tightens with dread as we walk into the gas station’s cramped food area.

It’s nothing fancy, just a small fast-food counter with a brightly lit menu overhead.

The sharp scent of frying oil mixes with stale coffee and the faint chemical odor of cleaning products.

My gaze moves over the prices, silently calculating the cheapest options.

The guys are standing near the counter, debating orders.

Liam looks as stoic as ever, eyes scanning the menu with his usual intensity.

Cole stands silently beside him, arms folded, while Jax points enthusiastically at items, clearly debating whether to go big or enormous.

Eli bounces impatiently beside them, rattling off the options he wants.

“Mommy, can I have nuggets and fries and maybe some ice cream?” Eli asks, turning his wide, pleading eyes back toward me.

“Sure, baby, whatever you want,” I reply, my heart sinking as I mentally deduct the cost of his meal from our dwindling cash. I'll just claim I’m not hungry, even though my stomach growls in fierce protest.

While they’re occupied with the menu, I step away, moving one aisle over, partly hidden by shelves stocked with candy bars and beef jerky.

My hand shakes as I pull out my wallet, my throat tightening as I thumb through the remaining cash.

Two hundred dollars. That’s it. My chest tightens further, panic curling dark and cold inside me.

It won’t last, not with how far we still have to go.

I close my eyes, taking a shaky breath. It’s fine, I tell myself firmly. I can go without eating. Eli is all that matters. A few missed meals won’t kill me.

“Ava?”

I nearly jump out of my skin at the sound of Jax’s voice so close behind me. Whirling around, I clutch my wallet to my chest instinctively, trying to hide the panic still etched across my face.

Jax freezes when he sees my expression. His teasing drops away instantly, replaced by something quieter—concern, maybe even protectiveness. He frowns immediately, his eyes narrowing with concern. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I respond, my voice betraying me by shaking just a bit too much. I force a weak smile that I’m sure looks as pathetic as it feels. “I’m fine.”

Jax studies me, his gaze gentle but insistent. “You’re a terrible liar, Ava. Come on, talk to me.”

My heart squeezes painfully, embarrassment flooding my cheeks with heat. I swallow hard, looking away, unable to meet his eyes.

“It’s nothing, Jax, really. Just tired.” I duck my head down to avoid his gaze, my curls falling in front of my face.

He steps closer, his presence somehow both comforting and intimidating. He reaches his hand up and slowly tucks a curl behind my ear. His voice softens further, persistent but gentle.

“Ava, I know tired. This isn’t just exhaustion. What’s going on?”

My throat aches with the effort to keep back the truth, but something in Jax’s steady, concerned gaze breaks through my defenses.

“It’s money,” I finally admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

A single traitorous tear slips down my cheek before I swipe it away, embarrassment choking me.

“Witness Protection isn’t involved, so we are depending on what I had, and I was supposed to get a new commission this week, but we had to run before that.

So now, we’re running low, Jax. Really low.

I’m trying to budget until we get to wherever Morales wants us, so I can get a job and do what I need to do for my kid. ”

Jax exhales, understanding softening his expression.

“The fact that you believe that we would ever let you guys suffer while you’re under our protection is crazy.

The only reason you’ve been paying for stuff as it is was because you kept beating all of us to the register.

You weren’t going to pay for this anyway. ”

I shake my head firmly, clutching my wallet tighter. “I won’t just take your money, Jax. You’re already doing so much, and I don’t want to be a greater boundary.”

He chuckles, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out his wallet. Without hesitation, he produces a sleek black Amex card, holding it out to me casually.

“Ava, trust me, you’re not a burden and you’re not going to put a dent in our finances,” he says, eyes twinkling warmly. “If you don’t use this, it’s just going to sit there.”

My eyes widen in shock, staring at the card as if he’s holding out a live grenade. “Jax, no. I can’t?—”

He sighs dramatically, grabbing my hand but insistently.

“Come on. You’re taking this card and ordering yourself a decent meal.

” His fingers brush mine as he presses the card into my hand, firm but gentle.

The warmth of his touch lingers, startling me more than I care to admit.

No one’s looked out for me like this in a long time—not without strings, not without control. I’m not sure what to do with it.

Before I can protest further, he’s pulling me back toward the counter where Liam, Cole, and Eli wait patiently.

Eli’s already bouncing, his order apparently placed.

Cole stands to the side, arms folded, clearly finished.

Liam raises an eyebrow as Jax pushes me forward, confusion flickering briefly across his usually controlled expression.

“Order,” Jax instructs firmly, nudging me toward the cashier. My cheeks burn fiercely with embarrassment, my heart hammering anxiously in my chest. Under Jax’s persistent stare, I reluctantly order a simple chicken sandwich, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Just the sandwich, please,” I mumble, avoiding everyone’s gaze.

“Nope,” Jax interrupts decisively, leaning around me toward the cashier. “She’ll take the meal—make it large.”

My face flames hotter, embarrassment battling fiercely with gratitude.

Jax hands over the black Amex without hesitation, flashing the cashier an easy grin.

Eli squeals happily, dancing impatiently in place as Cole and Liam lead him toward the soda fountain with cups that the cashier passes over.

I glance up hesitantly, meeting Jax’s warm, reassuring gaze.

“Thank you,” I whisper, the words thick with emotion.

“Don’t thank me,” he replies, swiping the card casually. “And don’t worry about this again. Seriously.”

I take a shaky breath, still uncertain. Jax leans closer, voice gentle but firm. “If you ever need anything, Ava, you can use this card. Actually, even if you just want something, use it. If Eli just wants something, use it. I mean it.”

A small, disbelieving laugh escapes me as I shake my head. “No way.”

“Yes way,” he insists, smirking. “And the pin’s 1234. Trust me, if you manage to max this card out, I’d honestly be impressed. It’d be a damn miracle.”

“Are you joking?” I gasp, unable to hide my surprise and amusement.

“About the pin or the maxing it out?” he clarifies.

“Both?”

“Oh, no. Not joking about either,” he responds with a wide grin.

“You have a black Amex and your PIN is 1234?”

He laughs, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’m terrible with numbers, so I pick the easiest ones. No one would guess I’m dumb enough to choose 1234.”

I chuckle, finally relaxing just a bit. “That’s both ridiculous and hilarious.”

He shrugs playfully, eyes twinkling again. “Glad you think so.”

Liam and Cole return with drinks, Eli proudly carrying his cup with exaggerated care, his blue eyes sparkling. He immediately captures my attention, tugging at my sleeve.

“Mommy, look! Cole helped me get the drink!” Eli beams proudly.

“Good job, sweetheart,” I murmur warmly, ruffling his hair affectionately.

As we move toward an empty table to wait for our food, I glance briefly at Jax again, heart still tight with gratitude.

He catches my gaze and offers a quiet smile—not cocky this time, but soft. Like he sees more of me than I want him to, and doesn’t mind the mess.