Chapter 17

-Maya's POV-

"You don't have to say it back," he rushed on, his voice attempting to mask the vulnerability I saw reflected in his eyes. "And maybe I shouldn't have been so hasty. I just... can't hide how I feel. You're an amazing woman, Amaya, and..."

He trailed off, searching my face, and a wave of panic washed over me. I couldn't let him get any closer, not emotionally, not physically.

"I have kids," the words tumbled out in a rush, escaping my control before I could stop them.

He blinked, a flicker of confusion replacing the affection in his eyes. "What?"

I could almost hear my father's voice, a chilling echo in the back of my head, warning me against this very moment.

"Two of them," I blurted out, my voice ragged. "Twins. And I didn't... I mean, my father didn't want me to tell you. But I don't want to lie to you anymore,

Ivan."

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. He just stared at me, his expression unreadable. The longer he remained silent, the heavier the weight of my confession became. "Ivan? Please, say something."

Then, a flicker of something dark crossed his features. Anpor? Hurt? Whatever it was, sent a shiver down my spine.

"How long were you going to keep it a secret?" His voice was low, laced with a dangerous edge. "Wait, that's not even the question I should be asking. Who is the father?"

My mouth gaped open and closed like a fish out of water. No words came out, no justifications, no explanations.

Frustration flared in his eyes, quickly replaced by a chilling resignation. He let out a humorless scoff "Fine," he muttered, the single word heavy with disappointment.

He turned away, his broad shoulders slumped in defeat, "I trust you can find your way back to wherever you go to hide your lies," he said, his voice cold

and distant.

"Ivan, please!"

room. As

But I need time. Time to process this." He paused again, his gaze lingering on me for a beat longer before

out the door, leaving me alone

shaky breath, I opted against calling a cab. Walking, I

mind consumed by the fallout that awaited me. My father's face,

without realizing it, my steps

Chapter 17

stopped to stare at the sign for

The Rusty Compass.

well-worn leather. The low murmur of conversation hung in the air, punctuated by the occasional clinking of glasses. A lone young woman stood behind the

get a double

glanced up, lingering on my face for a beat longer than necessary. Her eyes, the color of melted chocolate, held a flicker

her gaze night?"

slumped onto the wom barstool, defeat coursing through me. "The roughest of them all," I confessed, letting

I realized, I was

expression a mask of quiet understanding. When I finished, a heavy

near the back of the bar. Three burly men shoved their way through a swinging door, their laughter grating in the previously subdued atmosphere. One of them, a man with a shaved head and

of your strongest stuff, sweetheart," he barked at Riley, his gaze leering. "And make

of defiance sparked in her hazel, "I'm sorry but there are no drinks available. This is

and your gunes."

counter, the force rattling the glasses behind Riley, "This place ain't for the likes of us, huh? What makes you think you can throw us out,

"You are

bar has its rules. Bikers aren't allowed in here. I'm pretty sure you know that. You are just looking

closer until he was in Riley's face, "Again Lask. What

barstool, the weight of the

interjected, my voice surprisingly calm despite the churning in my stomach, "Maybe it's best

The man sneered, his gaze flickering to me with undisguised hostility.

breath, "it kind of is. This is a decent place, and causing trouble

"This some kind of

out a guttural laugh. "Yeah,

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