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."

smile, then turned and headed for the door. As I stepped out into the cool night air, a shiver ran down my

once, but he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, a storm brewing behind his normally calm eyes.

do you know?" I finally broke the

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 into your father's business dealings for a while now. Something about money

ripped from a bad crime movie. "Money laundering? But... that doesn't make any sense. I know my father might be an a** ho e but he is a good businessman, a successful one. Why

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

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

greeted us. The sight of it sent a

a few houses down, a silent agreement to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. He took my hand in his, his grip firm yet comforting.

a deep, shaky breath, I steeled myself for whatever. awaited us inside. As ivan and Lapproached the house, a police officer materialized at the

help you?" he asked

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

us for a beat, then stopped aside, allowing us to enter the house. The first thing that hit me was the chaos. Furniture was overturned, drawers hung open, papers

were red-rimmed and swollen, her normally composed face etched with worry and fear. When she saw me, a flicker of relief crossed

me. She threw her arms around me, holding me tight as if afraid I might disappear. "Thank

Seeing her like this.

wiping at her tears with a trembling hand. "They took him," she said, her voice hoarse. "The FBI. They said he was... involved

"But... how?"

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

placing 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 my hand,

cloak. With a heavy heart, I squeezed her hand back. "We'll stay," I promised, the words

on my tongue.

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 a dark cloud over everything. Exhaustion washed over me,

Mom," I mumbled, my

and pulled me into a tight embrace. "I know.