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.

go,” I told them, my voice thick

her gaze filled with understanding. “We will come

As I stepped out into the cool night air, a shiver ran

He gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles white, his jaw clenched with suppressed anger. I stole a glance at him once, but he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, a storm brewing behind his

I finally broke the silence,

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

doesn’t make any sense. I know my father might

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

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

Chapter 27

in front of my father’s house, a swarm of police cars and yellow crime scene tape greeted

He took my hand in his, his grip

my throat constricting with a 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 materialized at the door,

you?” he asked

forcing my voice to remain calm. “This is my husband, Ivan McCall. It’s my father’s house and

studied 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

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

me. She threw her arms around me, holding me tight as if

at first. I knew we both needed each other at this moment and she must be going out of her mind but still, it felt foreign. Seeing her like this. Uneasily, I hugged her

back slightly, wiping at her tears with a trembling hand. “They took him,” she said, her voice h o a r s e. “The FBI. They said he was… involved

“But… how?”

with despair. “I haven’t known what to think.

growing unease. “We should let your mom get some rest,” he said gently. “We can try to find out more

mother clung to my hand, her eyes pleading. “Don’t leave me alone,

With a heavy heart, I squeezed her hand back. “We’ll stay,” I promised,

on my tongue.

Ivan 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