Bonds

Chapter 35

-Maya’s POV-

“What’s going on here?” Ivan repeated, his voice tight with a mix of concern and irritation. His gaze flickered between me and Alex, the tension in the air practically crackling. Alex remained silent, his eyes locked on mine for a beat before finally looking away. They landed on Ivan, a silent exchange passing between them. It felt loaded, like a conversation unspoken. Then, his gaze snapped

back to me.

“You will be out of here soon,” he said, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion. It felt like a statement of fact, not a promise. He didn’t wait for a response, turning on his heel and heading for the door. The heavy metal clanged shut behind him, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.

Ivan’s jaw clenched tight. He looked at me, his face a mask of anger. I opened my mouth to explain, to bridge the widening gap between us, but he cut me off sharply.

“Maya,” he started, his voice losing its usual softness whenever he spoke to me, “You told me Alex was… a thing of the past. You said you were done with him.” His words held a hint of betrayal, a reminder of the conversation we’d had just had before my arrest. Now, here I was, just moments ago in a heated exchange with the very man I supposedly didn’t care about anymore.

“Lasked him to leave,” I blurted out, feeling defensive. “It’s not like I had a choice! He just showed up here, and…” I trailed off, frustration bubbling inside me. It wasn’t fair. I shouldn’t have to apologize for being in a jail cell with a man who refused to leave.

“And how does that explain why he practically had his hands wrapped around you when I walked in here?”

“It happened fast,” I explained, my voice calm despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. “He just grabbed me and I wanted to push him away but-”

“But you didn’t” he cut in, his eyes narrowing. “What was he even here in the fisrt place.”

“He said he was here to help,” I admitted hesitantly. My words felt hollow even to myself. Help? He’d caused most of this chaos!

“Help?” He scoffed, his disbelief evident. “He’s the last person you need help from, Amaya. Don’t you see that?”

“See what?” I shot back, my temper finally flaring, “I appreciate you worrying, Ivan, but I can handle myself.”

A beat of silence followed my outburst. He stared at me, his expression unreadable. The air crackled with unspoken words and simmering tension. But there was a flicker of hurt in his eyes. I wanted to feel bad for snapping at him. I knew it wasn’t his fault but I was just angry. My emotions seemed to bleed into his and the hurt disappeared replaced by anger but then instead of exploding like I expected to, he let out a sign.

You’re sitting in a jail cell, Maya. How exactly are you

disarmed my anger. Shame washed over me. He was right. He was still here for me even though I had not

easy.

looking down at the floor. “This whole thing is a mess. My father, Alex showing up… I just

11:35 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 35

sound heavy with weariness. He reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. The touch was warm, a

wave of relief washed over me as he spoke. Getting out of here was all I needed to focus on at that moment.

features. “I’ve contacted a lawyer. Someone who can navigate this mess and hopefully get

had bloomed in my chest started to wilt. Was there another complication? Another hurdle to

your father,” He admitted, his gaze dropping to

a flicker of something that tugged at

There was a hint

is he alright?” The image of my father, stern and powerful, facing an unknown interrogation, sent a fresh wave of

The investigation into his company… it’s not going well for him. They’ve frozen most of his

cold dread pool in my stomach. This wasn’t good. Not good

could shut it down completely. And even if they don’t, the financial strain… it will take

me like a physical blow. The symbol of my father’s power and prestige, potentially crumbling

blurted out,

on here, the pack is in chaos. Everyone’s vying for power, and those whose

is not good at all.

company, and the

the storm of emotions brewing inside me. He was right.

I asked, forcing myself to sound calm. “How do we get me released? And what

should be here any minute

with a sliver of desperation. “There has to be something we

is the reason I am just coming to