Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter

27

-Maya's POV-

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The phone felt heavy in my hand, suddenly a foreign object. "What?" I whispered, the single word escaping my lips in a ragged breath. The line went dead before I could say anything else. I stared at the phone screen, numb, the gravity of Ivan's words sinking in.

"Amaya? What's wrong?" Natalia's voice cut through the fog of confusion clouding my mind. Her hand shot out to grip mine, "What happened?"

I looked at her, my mouth working soundlessly for a moment. "My father. He has been arrested. Ivan just called. The FBI... they're investigating him for something." Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Does he know what it's about?"

1 shook my head slowly, the room feeling like it was closing in on me. "No. He just said they're investigating him. He's coming to pick me up."

A flicker of worry crossed her face. "Do you w

want me to come with you?" she asked. "Maybe it would be better if you weren't alone."

"No. I need to handle this myself. Thank you, though, Natalia. For everything and you too Nathan."

I know he had gone quiet just like he always did when Natalia and I were having our moment. He nodded giving me a tight smile, "Anytime, Maya."

Natalia pulled me into a tight hug, her embrace a silent reassurance in the face of the unknown. "Call me when you know more. And whatever happens, you know I'm here for you."

I clung to her for a moment longer, drawing strength from her unwavering support. Then, I pulled back, wiping at the tears that had welled up in my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus. My father needed me, no matter how much I considered him a monster sometimes and whatever ho'd gotten himself into, I had to be there for him.

"I gotta go," I told them, my voice thick with emotion. "Ivan's on his way."

Nathan nodded, her gaze filled with understanding. "We will come see you later."

a watery smile, then turned and headed for the door. As I stepped out into the cool night

him once, but he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, a storm brewing behind his normally calm eyes. He hadn't said a

finally broke the silence, About what's happening

let out a frustrated sigh, finally turning his head towards me for a brief moment. "Not much. I got a call from a friend in the force. Apparently, there's been an investigation

The accusation sounded surreal, something ripped from a bad crime movie. "Money laundering? But... that doesn't make any sense. I know my father might be an a**

with frustration. "That's what we're going to find out, I

the ride passed in a blur. My mind raced with questions, anxieties, and a growing sense of betrayal. How could my father be involved in something like this? And how much of it was true? Chapter

my father's house, a swarm of police cars and yellow crime scene tape greeted us. The sight of it sent a fresh wave of

a silent agreement to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. He took my hand in

detachment. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I steeled myself for whatever. awaited us inside. As ivan and Lapproached the house, a

help you?" he asked

said, forcing my voice to remain calm. "This is my husband, Ivan McCall. It's my father's house and I need to get

hit me was the chaos. Furniture was overturned, drawers hung open, papers were scaered everywhere.

a group of officers were questioning my mother. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, her normally composed face etched

she cried, rushing towards me. She threw her arms around me, holding me tight as if afraid I might disappear. "Thank goodness you're

her like this. Uneasily, I hugged her back, the familiar scent of her perfume doing little to dispel the sense of unease that had settled deep within me. "What's

pulled back slightly, wiping at her tears with a trembling hand. "They took him," she said, her voice hoarse. "The FBI. They said he was... involved in some kind of illegal activities. Money

"But... how?"

don't know," She interrupted, her voice cracking with despair. "I haven't known what to think. They wouldn't tell me

a hand on my shoulder as if sensing my growing unease. "We should let your mom get some rest," he said gently. "We can try to find out more about your father in the morning" My mother clung to

her fear settled on me like a heavy cloak. With a heavy heart,

on my tongue.

went to help himself to a glass of water, I found myself drawn to a framed photograph on the mantle. The three of us stood together even though it looked forced but still, we stood together. A lump formed in my throat. Suddenly, the weight of the night's events pressed down on me with renewed force. Alex, my marriage, and now this- my father's arrest hanging like

mumbled, my voice

and pulled me into a tight embrace. "I know. I am too. But