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."

and headed for the door. As I stepped out into the cool night air, a

but he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, a storm brewing behind his

do you know?" I finally broke the silence, About what's

I got a call from a friend in the force. Apparently,

movie. "Money laundering? But... that doesn't make any sense. I know my father

know, Amaya," He interrupted, his voice laced with frustration. "That's what we're going

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

swarm of police cars and yellow crime scene tape greeted us. The sight of

drawing unnecessary attention. He took my hand in

mixture of fear and a strange sense of detachment. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I steeled myself for whatever. awaited us inside. As ivan and Lapproached the house, a police officer

help you?" he

"This is my husband, Ivan McCall. It's my father's house and I need to

The first thing that hit me was the chaos. Furniture was overturned, drawers hung open, papers were

eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, her normally composed face etched with worry and fear. When she saw

She threw her arms around me, holding me tight

she must be going out of her mind but still, it felt foreign. Seeing her like this. Uneasily, I hugged her back, the familiar scent of her perfume doing little to dispel

she said, her voice hoarse. "The FBI. They

"But... how?"

with despair. "I haven't known what to think. They wouldn't tell me anything.

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 my

cloak. With a heavy heart, I squeezed her hand back.

on my tongue.

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

I mumbled, my voice thick with

and pulled me into a tight embrace. "I