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.

gotta go,” I told them, my voice thick with

her gaze filled with understanding. “We will come see you

for the door. As I stepped out into the cool

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

know?” I finally broke the silence, About what’s happening

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.

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 father might be an a** h o e but

know, Amaya,” He interrupted, his voice laced with

anxieties, and a growing sense of betrayal. How could my father be involved

Chapter 27

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

took my hand in his, his grip

breath, I steeled myself for whatever.

you?” he asked

Amaya Stone,” I said, forcing my voice to remain calm. “This is my

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 looked like a tornado had ripped through the

of officers were questioning my mother. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, her normally composed face etched with

rushing towards me. She threw her arms around me, holding me

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 h o

“But… how?”

voice cracking with despair. “I haven’t known what to think. They wouldn’t

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

my hand, her eyes pleading. “Don’t leave me

settled on me like a heavy cloak. With a heavy

on my tongue.

together. A lump formed in my throat. Suddenly, the weight of the