Bonds

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.

them, my voice

nodded, her gaze filled with understanding.

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

but he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, a storm brewing behind his normally calm eyes. He hadn’t said a single word to me since

broke the

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

lurched. Money laundering? The accusation sounded surreal, something ripped from a bad crime movie. “Money laundering? But… that doesn’t make any sense. I know my

Amaya,” He interrupted, his voice laced with frustration. “That’s what we’re going

growing sense of betrayal. How could my father be involved in something like this?

Chapter 27

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

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

a strange sense of detachment. Taking a deep, shaky breath, I steeled myself for whatever. awaited us inside. As

help you?” he asked

calm. “This is my husband, Ivan McCall. It’s my father’s house and I need to

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 s c a e r e d everywhere. It

living room, a group of officers were questioning my mother. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, her normally composed face etched with worry and fear. When she saw me, a

holding me

at this moment and she must be going out of her mind but still, it felt foreign. Seeing her like this. Uneasily, I hugged

“They took him,” she said, her voice h o a r s e. “The FBI. They said he was… involved in

“But… how?”

interrupted, her voice cracking with despair. “I haven’t known what to think. They wouldn’t tell me anything. Just

unease. “We should let your mom get

mother clung to my hand, her eyes pleading.

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

on my tongue.

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