CHAPTER TWENTY
The soft glow of the clock on her nightstand read five in the morning. Ava blinked at the numbers, and a quiet sigh escaped her lips. Wrapped snugly in Aussie’s arms, his steady breathing tickling the back of her neck, she felt cocooned in a safety net. For the first time in what felt like weeks, the weight of the world didn’t press quite so hard.
Ava shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, and studied the clock again. In just thirty minutes, he’d have to get up. She closed her eyes, trying to push aside the creeping thoughts about the threats looming over her and Christian. For now, she focused on the steady warmth of Aussie behind her and the way his arms seemed to protect her even in sleep.
Why couldn’t things stay like this forever?
Before she knew it, the alarm on Aussie’s phone buzzed softly. She felt him stir, his grip tightening briefly around her waist before he nuzzled the back of her neck, his morning stubble sending a pleasant shiver down her spine.
“Good mornin’, love,” he murmured, his voice low and rough with sleep, that slight Australian accent sending her heart into a flutter.
Ava smiled. “Morning.”
“I wish I could stay like this a little longer,” he said as he kissed the curve of her neck before reluctantly pulling away.
Ava rolled onto her back to watch him stretch before he climbed out of bed, his broad shoulders catching the faint light streaming through the blinds.
He turned to look at her and caught her staring. He gave her a cheeky grin. “This is all yours,” he said as he grabbed his toiletry bag and headed toward the guest bathroom.
Ava took her time getting ready, trying to shake off her nerves. She wished that she and Christian could just stay home.
After dressing in black slacks and a pale blue blouse, she knocked on Christian’s door to wake him up. “Come on, sleepyhead. Time to get moving.”
When she walked into the kitchen, she started on breakfast, the soothing ritual of cracking eggs and flipping bacon, which gave her something to focus on. Her thoughts strayed to Aussie, and when he finally walked in, her breath hitched.
He wasn’t dressed in the normal working uniform that she saw most Navy personnel wear. Instead, he wore a long-sleeved shirt slightly fitted, with a three-quarter zip that made him look both professional and effortlessly attractive.
Ava quickly turned back to the stove, feeling her cheeks warm. Stop it, Ava.
Thankfully, Christian walked in a moment later, yawning and dragging his feet. “What’s for breakfast?”
The trio ate together, the atmosphere light despite everything hanging over them. Aussie joked about Christian’s messy bedhead, which earned him an exaggerated eye roll. After cleaning up, they all headed to their vehicles.
“I can drop Christian off,” Aussie offered as they reached the cars. “The high school’s on my way to the base.”
Ava smiled gratefully and nodded. “Thanks.”
Before she could open her car door, Aussie stepped closer. He leaned down and kissed her softly. “Be safe, and have a good day.”
“I will.”
His expression turned serious for a moment. “And remember, call me if anything feels off. And if you can’t get a hold of me, start going down the list.”
During dinner the night before, Aussie had taken her phone and programmed his team’s phone numbers and Derek’s phone number in it.
She grinned. “I promise.”
Ava watched as Aussie and Christian drove off, a small part of her wishing she could hold onto that morning forever.
◆◆◆
The drive to Christian’s school felt almost peaceful, the rising sun casting a golden hue across the quiet streets. Aussie couldn’t stop thinking about waking up next to Ava. She fit so perfectly in his arms, and for the first time in years, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
“Here,” Aussie said as he handed Christian a small box from his center console.
“What’s this?” Christian asked, looking at the box in confusion.
“New phone,” Aussie replied. “Meant to give it to you last night, but things got a bit hectic.”
Christian opened it, his eyes lighting up. “Seriously? Thank you!”
“No worries,” Aussie said with a grin. “My number’s already in there, along with the rest of the team. If anything happens, anything at all, you call me. Got it?”
Christian nodded. “Got it.”
Satisfied, Aussie pulled into the school’s drop-off lane and clapped Christian on the shoulder. “Have a good day.”
Christian smiled faintly, clutching the phone. “Thanks, Aussie.”
Aussie watched as Christian walked up to a blonde-haired girl sitting on one of the benches outside of the school. She smiled at him before standing up and walking inside the school with him. Aussie assumed that it must be Katy, the girl Christian talks about.
His chest tightened a little. God, he hoped the FBI could handle the situation surrounding Ava and Christian quickly.
When Aussie arrived at the base, he headed straight for the team’s building. Derek was waiting just inside the entrance, arms crossed.
“Morning,” Derek said, his tone brisk. “Follow me.”
Aussie fell in step behind his commander, who led him to his office. Inside, a man in a suit was seated in one of the chairs.
“Aussie, this is FBI Agent Rod Jefferson,” Derek introduced. “He’s one of the lead agents on the gang case.”
Agent Jefferson stood and shook Aussie’s hand. “Good to meet you. Thanks for your help so far.”
“No problem,” Aussie replied.
The three of them sat, and for the next hour, they discussed the threats made toward Ava and Christian. Jefferson was methodical, taking notes as Derek and Aussie filled him in on the confrontation between the boys from Christian’s school.
“We’ll have surveillance put on those two boys,” Jefferson said. “With any luck, they’ll lead us to someone higher up.”
Aussie nodded, though his jaw clenched. “What about Ava and Christian? What can be done to keep them safe in the meantime?”
Jefferson hesitated, his expression somber. “Truthfully? Not much, given that we don’t know who all the players are. The best we can do is keep watch and hope something breaks soon.”
Aussie didn’t like that answer, and he could tell Derek didn’t either.
Jefferson sighed. “Does Ava have family she could visit for the holidays? Somewhere out of town?”
Aussie frowned. “No, she doesn’t.” But then an idea hit him. “What if I take them with me?”
Jefferson raised an eyebrow. “Take them where?”
“Originally, I was planning to visit my family in Indiana for Christmas,” Aussie explained. “But after I met Ava, I decided to stay here instead. But what if I take them to my parent’s place? It’s far enough away.”
Derek exchanged a glance with Jefferson, who nodded slowly.
“That’s a solid plan,” Jefferson said. “Getting them out of the area could buy us some time to gather more intel.”
Derek leaned back in his chair. “You’d need additional leave. Consider it approved.”
“Thank you. I just need to make a quick call,” Aussie said as he excused himself from the room.
The door to Derek’s office clicked shut, muffling the sound of Agent Jefferson’s low voice as he discussed logistics with Derek. Aussie leaned against the wall in the hallway, his mind already racing ahead. Even though he had made up his mind about Ava and Christian staying with his family for Christmas, he knew there was one more person who needed to be in the loop. And that was his mom.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed. The line barely rang twice before his mom answered, her voice bright and cheerful.
“Well, look who’s calling! Is this my son who forgot his mother existed?”
Aussie rolled his eyes, his lips curving into a smirk. “It’s been two weeks, Mom. Not exactly an eternity.”
“That’s debatable,” she replied. “What’s going on? And don’t you dare tell me you’re stuck in some frozen wasteland or on a mission where you can’t tell me anything. I’m not in the mood for that today.”
“Relax, I’m not on a mission.” Aussie glanced at the closed door, lowering his voice. “Actually, I need to talk to you about something important.”
The teasing edge in her voice softened. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve got a couple of people I’d like to bring home for Christmas,” Aussie said, his tone even. “A woman I’ve been seeing and the teenager she is fostering. Her name is Ava, and the boy is Christian.”
There was a brief silence on the other end before his mom spoke, her curiosity palpable. “Okay, back up. Ava? This is the one you mentioned last time, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it’s the same person.”
“And she’s fostering a teenager? How old is he?”
“Fifteen,” Aussie said. “He’s a good kid, Mom. Really good. And Ava’s incredible. She’s a social worker who works with kids like Christian. She’s tough, selfless, and honestly amazing.”
“Well,” his mom said with a laugh, “it sounds like you’re already smitten.”
Aussie felt his ears burn. “Mom.”
“Oh, don’t ‘Mom’ me. You don’t bring just anyone to meet the family, and now you’re talking about two people. This sounds serious.”
“It is,” Aussie admitted, the weight of his words settling over him. “I care about them. Both of them. And things have gotten a little complicated around here.”
“What kind of complicated?” she asked, her tone shifting to something sharper.
Aussie hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. “Ava and Christian are in some trouble. Nothing they caused, but there’s a local gang that’s become a threat to them. We’re trying to keep them safe, and taking them out of town for a bit seemed like the best option. Nobody knows I’m bringing them to you except my CO and an FBI agent. I promise, Mom, there won’t be any danger brought your way.”
His mom was silent for a moment, then said with quiet confidence, “I trust you, sweetheart. You wouldn’t bring trouble to us. But I want to know more about this Ava.”
Aussie sighed, knowing she wouldn’t let it go. “She’s strong, independent, and probably one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever met. She’s been through a lot, but she’s still fighting, still trying to make a difference. And Christian, he’s had a rough time, but he’s smart and kind. They’re good people, Mom.”
“And you’re serious about her?”
Aussie’s voice softened. “Yeah, I am. She’s different, Mom. In the best way.”
His mom chuckled. “Well, I can’t wait to meet her. And Christian, too. Bring them home, Aussie. We’ll take care of them.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Aussie said, relief washing over him.
“And don’t think you’re off the hook. I’ll be talking to Ava about everything about you. I need to make sure she knows what she’s getting herself into.”
Aussie groaned, but he was smiling. “Just don’t scare her off, okay?”
“No promises,” she replied with a laugh. “Now go do whatever secret Navy thing you’re doing, and I’ll get the guest rooms ready.”
“Love you, Mom,” Aussie said.
“Love you too, sweetheart. Drive safe.”
Aussie ended the call, sliding his phone back into his pocket as the door to Derek’s office opened. Agent Jefferson and Derek stepped out, nodding toward him.
“All good?” Derek asked.
“Yes, Sir,” Aussie said. “I just spoke with my mom, and she is good with us staying with them through the holidays.”
“When do you think that you’ll head out?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll have to talk to Ava. However, I’d like to leave as soon as possible.”
“I agree. Getting them out of the area sooner than later is a good call,” Agent Jefferson stated.
“Just keep me updated,” Derek said.
“Will do.”
He shook both men’s hands before parting ways and walking outside. He got into his truck and pulled out his phone to call Ava.
“Hey,” she answered after the second ring, her voice instantly calming him.
“Hey,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Are you free for an early lunch?”
“Of course. Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” he replied. “There’s just something that I want to talk to you about.”
“Okay. I’m free whenever you are.”
“Alright. I’m on my way. I’ll pick you up.”
“Sounds good. See you soon.
As he hung up, Aussie started the truck, his mind already spinning with details. He’d make sure Ava and Christian were protected at all costs.
◆◆◆
Ava sat at her desk going over some files for a few kids who will be aging out of the system come spring time. Those cases were always difficult because, for most of the kids, as soon as they turned 18 and graduated high school, they were on their own. Most of them didn’t keep in touch with their foster families. They were just sent out into the world all alone.
Her thoughts drifted to Christian, and when that time came for him. She vowed that no matter what happened with Christian’s situation, she would always be there for him. She was one person that he could always count on.
The sound of a knock on her office door made her look up. Sarah stood there leaning against the frame, her eyes wide with excitement.
“There’s a ridiculously handsome man in the lobby asking for you,” Sarah said with a grin.
Ava didn’t need to guess who it was. But she would have some fun with her friend. “Tall, broad shoulders, gorgeous hazel eyes, a killer smile, and wearing a uniform?”
Sarah’s grin widened, and she nodded. “Is that him? Is that Aussie?”
Ava laughed. “Yes. That would be Aussie.”
Sarah clutched her chest dramatically. “You lucky, bitch! He’s like something out of a military romance novel!”
“Sarah, stop,” Ava said, though she couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m serious! If I weren’t happily married—”
“Stop,” Ava said again, holding up a hand.
“You’re no fun,” Sarah mock pouted, and it made Ava laugh again.
Ava slipped on her coat, smoothed her hair, and grabbed her purse before heading toward the lobby. Sure enough, Aussie stood near the entrance, his presence commanding even in the mundane setting of her workplace.
He spotted her and smiled, that easy, heart-melting grin she loved. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Ava said, trying not to blush under Sarah’s not-so-subtle gaze from behind the reception desk.
“You weren’t kidding,” Sarah whispered as Ava passed by.
“I’ll see you after lunch,” Ava called back, ignoring her friend’s teasing laughter.
In the parking lot, Aussie opened the passenger door of his truck for her, a small gesture that never failed to make her smile.
“You didn’t have to come all the way here,” Ava said as she climbed in.
“I needed an excuse to see you,” he said, shutting the door behind her before rounding the truck.
They drove in companionable silence for a few minutes, the radio playing softly in the background. When they pulled into the parking lot of a little diner just outside the base, Ava raised an eyebrow.
“This place any good?” she asked.
“You’ll love it,” he promised, cutting the engine.
The smell of freshly baked bread and something sweet greeted them as they stepped inside. Aussie led her to a booth near the window, and a waitress brought over menus.
As they sat down, Ava couldn’t help but notice the faint tension in Aussie’s shoulders.
“Alright, what’s going on?” she asked, folding her hands on the table.
He hesitated, his fingers tracing the edge of the menu. “I met with Derek and the FBI agent in charge of the investigation this morning.”
Ava’s stomach tightened. “What about it?”
“Derek and I gave him the information about the two boys who have been harassing Christian, and we told him about the threats towards you and Christian. The agent thinks it’s best if you and Christian lay low for a bit while they work the case.”
“Lay low? What does that mean?” Ava asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“They’re hoping these boys will lead them to someone higher up in the organization,” Aussie explained. “But until they have something solid, the agent thinks it’s safer if you two aren’t easy to find.”
Ava sat back, processing his words. “So, what do we do? Move into hiding?”
“Not exactly,” Aussie said, reaching across the table to take her hand. His touch was warm and grounding. “I have an idea. What if you and Christian come with me to Indiana to my parent’s house for Christmas?”
She blinked, caught off guard. “Indiana?”
“It’s far enough from here, and my parents’ place is out in the country. Quiet, private, and safe. Plus,” He gave her a sheepish smile. “I’d love for you to meet my family.”
Ava’s heart fluttered at the thought of being included in something so personal. “Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to impose on your family’s holiday.”
“You wouldn’t be,” he said. “I already spoke with my mom, and she’s excited to meet you and Christian. And it’s the best option for now. Derek and Agent Jefferson agree.”
Ava chewed on her lip as her mind raced. The idea of taking Christian so far from home felt daunting, but the thought of staying and risking his safety was even worse.
Christmas in Indiana. With Aussie. It wasn’t the holiday she’d expected, but maybe it would be exactly what they needed.
“Okay,” she said finally. “If you think it’s the best thing to do, we’ll go. Plus, maybe it’ll be good for all of us to get away.”
Aussie’s shoulders relaxed, and he squeezed her hand. “You’re doing the right thing. I promise, Ava, I’ll keep you both safe.”
She smiled. “When would we leave? There are some things I’ll need to take of before we head out.”
“I understand. I was thinking the day after tomorrow. Would that work?”
“It should. I’ll talk to Christian tonight and let him know. He’ll probably be a little bummed because he’s been so excited about spending Christmas at the house.”
Aussie gave her hand another squeeze. “How about I pick Christian up from school, and we tell him together tonight?”
She thought about it for a second and then nodded. “That will work.”
After lunch, Aussie dropped Ava off at work. As she walked back into the office, her mind was spinning with everything she needed to get done before they left.
She hadn’t even hung her coat when her gaze landed on a figure in the distance that made her stomach churn. It was Jarod, standing just outside her boss’s office, engaged in an animated conversation.
Great. Just what I need, she thought.
As if on cue, Jarod glanced over and caught sight of her. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, but there was no warmth behind it. He looked like a cat who’d just cornered its prey. But before he could say or do anything, she kicked her office door closed, shutting him out.
She couldn’t help but giggle, knowing that she probably pissed him off.
She sat down behind her desk and started making a list of things she needed to get done before they left.
◆◆◆
Aussie pulled into the school parking lot right as Christian walked out of the main doors, his backpack slung over one shoulder. The kid had a bounce in his step, but as he climbed into the truck, he let out a dramatic sigh.
“Tough day?” Aussie asked, glancing at him as he merged into traffic.
“Not really,” Christian said, shrugging. “Just a lot of tests. I think I aced most of them, though.”
Aussie grinned. “Most of them, huh? What about the ones you don’t think that you aced?”
Christian smirked. “I probably got a B on them.”
They both laughed and for a moment, the easygoing banter lightened the weight that had been sitting on Aussie’s shoulders all day.
“So,” Christian said, “have you talked with Ava at all today? I know she’s nervous about everything going on.”
Aussie’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, but he forced himself to keep his tone light. “I actually had lunch with her. She’s okay. But you’re right. She is nervous, and she has a lot on her plate.”
Christian nodded, his expression thoughtful. “She worries about everyone else more than herself. I just don’t like seeing her stressed. I feel responsible for everything that is going on.”
Aussie’s chest tightened. One of the things he admired most about Christian was his compassion. Despite everything the kid had been through, he was anything but selfish. But he also didn’t like that the kid was beating himself up over the situation at hand.
“Hey, this stuff going on is not your fault. You didn’t ask for it.”
“I know that, but it is because of me that Ava’s life is in danger.”
Aussie didn’t want to tell Christian about them leaving town yet.
“Well, hopefully, the police can get a handle on the situation quickly. Until then, you’ve both got me, plus my team behind you,” Aussie said.
Christian smiled, then his eyes lit up as they passed a small barbecue joint. “Can we grab dinner from there? Their brisket sandwiches are amazing.”
“Brisket it is,” Aussie agreed, pulling into the parking lot.
After picking up some sandwiches, mac and cheese, and cornbread, they headed back to Ava’s house. As Aussie parked in the driveway, he immediately noticed Ava’s car already there.
“She’s home early,” Christian said as they grabbed the food and headed inside.
The moment they stepped through the door, Aussie felt it. Ava was in the kitchen, pulling some snacks out of the pantry, but something about her posture was off. She was stiff, her movements almost mechanical.
“Hey, Ava!” Christian chirped. “We brought dinner!”
She turned and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Perfect. I’m starving.”
“Go get ready for dinner,” Aussie said, giving Christian a gentle nudge. “Wash up, set the table, you know the drill.”
Christian nodded and disappeared down the hall, leaving Aussie alone with Ava. He set the food on the counter and stepped closer to her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly, his voice low and steady.
Ava hesitated, then sighed. “I don’t know if I’m just being paranoid with everything going on, but when I got home, there was a car that I didn’t recognize parked on the side of the road between my driveway and the neighbor’s next door. When I got out of the car and turned to look at it, the person took off.”
Aussie’s heart pounded. He wanted nothing more than to scoop Ava and Christian up and get them far away from all of this. “Can you describe the vehicle? I can at least give that information to Agent Jefferson, and they can check it out.”
“Yeah. It was a champagne-colored Lexus sedan. It had Virginia plates, but I only caught the first two letters. It was XB.”
“That’s a pretty good description,” Aussie said, pulling his phone out and texting the information to the agent.
When he was finished, he looked at Ava. She was biting her lip nervously.
“Are you alright?” he asked her.
“Are we able to leave earlier?”
“We can leave whenever you are ready. I had suggested the day after tomorrow because I assumed you had things you would need to take care of.” Hell, he would be happy if they left right after dinner. But he knew that was wishful thinking.
“Ava nodded, her expression softening. “How about tomorrow?”
Aussie nodded. “Tomorrow works.”
Before they could say more, Christian returned, setting plates on the table. “Everything okay?” he asked, his sharp eyes flicking between them.
“Yeah,” Aussie said, forcing a smile. “Come on, let’s eat.”
They dished out the food, the aroma of smoky brisket filling the kitchen. As they ate, Aussie exchanged a glance with Ava before clearing his throat.
“Christian, Ava, and I have been talking,” he began. “With everything going on, we think it’s best to spend the holidays with my family in Indiana.”
Christian looked between them. His fork was paused mid-air. “But Ava and I were going to have Christmas here.”
“I know,” Aussie said gently. “I know how much you were looking forward to it. But we’re doing this also to keep you both safe while the FBI continues their investigation.”
Christian then surprised him by smiling. “Actually, I don’t care where we are for Christmas, as long as it’s with both of you.”
Ava reached over and squeezed Christian’s hand. “That means a lot, Christian. Thank you.”
Aussie’s chest swelled with pride. This kid was incredible.
“Oh, I almost forgot. We’ll need to let Judge Holten and my boss know what is going on,” Ava said, turning to Aussie. “Christian’s still technically the state’s responsibility. It also might be best to have the FBI Agent there as well.”
Aussie nodded. “I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right. How soon can you talk to the judge?”
Ava pulled out her phone and typed a quick message. Moments later, she smiled. “Tomorrow morning.”
Aussie raised his eyebrow in question. Did she have judges in her back pocket?
Ava grinned. “Judge Holten is also a good friend of mine. She said she’ll make time for us.”
Relieved, Aussie grabbed his phone and texted Derek. Within minutes, Derek replied, confirming he’d arrange for Agent Jefferson to meet them at Ava’s office at ten.
“After we finish eating, both of you pack your bags,” Aussie said, looking at both of them. “Once the meeting’s over tomorrow morning and everything’s squared away, we’re leaving.”
Christian finished the last bite of his sandwich and stood. “I’ll start packing now.”
Ava watched him go, then turned to Aussie.
“What about your bags? Don’t you need to pack?”
“Snow is packing my bag for me. He said that he’ll drop it off later this evening.”
Ava walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you. For everything.”
Aussie held her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head. “I’d do anything for you and Christian. You’re my priority now.”
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. “We’re lucky to have you.”
He leaned down and kissed her, pouring every ounce of his feelings into that single moment. They might have been caught in chaos, but as long as they were together, they’d find a way through it.