Bonds

Chapter 17

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 sliver of fear flickered within me. “Are

head slightly. The expression on his face was unreadable. “No, Amaya,” he said finally. “I’m not. But I need time. Time to process this.” He paused again, his gaze lingering on me for a beat longer before he continued, “I’ll call you when I have things figured

disappeared out the door, leaving me alone in the darkness

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

by the fallout

ears and without realizing it, my steps

84%

Chapter 17

at the sign

The Rusty Compass.

in the air, punctuated by the occasional clinking of glasses. A lone young woman stood behind the bar,

get a double scotch,

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

her gaze night?”

the wom barstool, defeat coursing through me. “The roughest of them all,” I confessed,

before I realized, I was spilling my guts

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

burly men shoved their way through a swinging door, their laughter grating in the previously

strongest stuff, sweetheart,” he barked at Riley, his

defiance sparked in her hazel, “I’m sorry but there are no drinks available. This is a peaceful bar and it is not for

and your gunes.”

shaved head of 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, huh? What makes you think you can throw us out,

“You are

has its rules. Bikers aren’t allowed in here. I’m pretty sure you

he moved closer until he was in Riley’s face, “Again Lask. What are you going to

barstool, the weight of the situation pressing

interjected, my voice surprisingly calm despite the churning in my

what to do?” The man sneered, his gaze flickering to me with undisguised hostility. “This ain’t your business, lady. I suggest you stay

of is. This is a

spread across his face. “This some kind of joke, sweetheart? You think you can throw

a man let out

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