Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

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!"

turn around. He just kept walking, leaving me alone in the echoing silence of the room. As he reached the doorway, a

Amaya," he said finally. "I'm not. But I need time. Time to process this." He paused again,

final, heavy sigh, he disappeared out the door, leaving me alone in the darkness with

trembled as I left the building, each step echoing the turmoil within. Stealing a deep, shaky breath, I opted against calling a cab. Walking, I reasoned, might offer a semblance of control amidst the

mind consumed by the fallout that awaited me. My father's face, twisted with fury, flashed through

my heels filled my ears and without realizing it, my steps had carried me

Chapter 17

stare at the

The Rusty Compass.

conversation hung in the air, punctuated by the occasional clinking of glasses. A lone young woman stood behind the bar, her auburn hair cascading down

get a double scotch,

a beat longer than necessary. Her eyes, the color of melted chocolate, held a flicker

her gaze night?"

"The roughest of them all," I confessed, letting out a shaky

I realized, I was

mask of quiet understanding. When

laughter grating in the previously subdued atmosphere.

he barked at Riley, his gaze leering. "And make it

her hazel, "I'm sorry but there are no drinks available. This is a peaceful bar

and your gunes."

the newcomer clanked as he slammed his fist on the counter, the force rattling the glasses behind Riley, "This place ain't for the likes of us,

"You are

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

moved closer until he was in

of the barstool, the

my voice surprisingly calm despite the churning in

us what to do?" The man sneered, his gaze flickering to

deep breath, "it kind of is. This is a decent place, and causing trouble isn't exactly on the

spread across his face. "This some kind of joke, sweetheart?

man let out a