Bonds

Chapter 38

-Maya’s POV-

One week.

That’s how long the cold, damp cell had been my only companion. The stale air, the flickering fluorescent light, the constant echo of distant shouts – it all melded into a single, horrifying memory. The relief of Natalia flinging her arms around me when I was finally released was almost suffocating.

“They wouldn’t even let me see him,” I thought bitterly, clenching my fists in my lap. Ivan had explained things vaguely, something about political pressure and “influential forces.” He’d insisted he wasn’t responsible for my release, but then who was? Even though I knew the answer, I dared not think of him.

SM

Moving in with Ivan had been a whirlwind. The twins, bless their curious little hearts, were asking endless questions I couldn’t answer. “Where have you been Mummy? Why are we leaving Aunty Natalia?”

I would explain but I was just too damn tired. There was almost no tears left in my eyes.

Today, however, I wasn’t here for tears. I was here to fight. Sitting across from a portly lawyer with thinning hair and a perpetually worried expression, I steeled myself. Mr. Davies had been recommended by Ivan, and while his kindness was evident, his lack of results was starting to grate on me.

“Mr. Davies,” I began, my voice firm despite the tremor in my hands, “with all due respect, I don’t feel like you’re doing enough. It’s been a week, and I haven’t been able to see my father. He’s in jail and you’re telling me there’s nothing we can do?”

Mr. Davies squirmed in his seat, adjusting his spectacles. “Miss Stone, I understand your frustration. Believe me, I am doing everything in my power. But your father’s case is…” he hesitated, searching for the right words, “complicated.”

“Complicated how?” I pressed, my voice rising a notch.

He sighed, a deep rumble that seemed to emanate from somewhere deep within his belly. “The evidence against him is… substantial, Miss Stone. Large sums of money, offshore accounts, the whole shebang. It doesn’t look good, I’m afraid to say.”

My stomach clenched. My father had always done things the legal way. That was one thing I could brag about even though we never saw eye to eye. But then a chilling thought struck me. Could someone have framed him? An enemy, a competitor, someone with a grudge? The questions swirled in my head, a storm with no clear answer.

ask, “How

pursed in a thin line. “Money laundering is a serious offense. Depending on the severity, the sentence. could range from…” he hesitated again, his voice dropping to a low

Twenty–five years.

weight of the

I repeated, the words catching in my throat. “That can’t be it. There has to be

11:35 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 38

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gaze. “Look, I understand this is a difficult time for you. But these accusations. are serious, and the evidence against your father seems strong. However,” he continued, a hint of hope creeping into his voice, “there might be a small chance.

laundering money.”

ignited within me. “Entrapment? But how

problem. However, I can draft a request for visitation rights. There’s no

dark anymore. “Visitation rights,” I echoed, “Yes, please do that. Anything to see him, to

I’ll get on that right away. In the meantime, I’ll also see if I can dig up any information about entrapment. It’s a long shot, but

I really appreciate you taking on

smile. “It’s not about me. It’s about justice. I

nod, he shuffled out of the

before. In the whirlwind of emotions, fear,

all that they said? A cold shiver ran down my spine. And then there was Alex. Could he be behind

worry settled heavily on my shoulders. With m pop y father gone, the responsibility for the Crescent pack loomed large. The irony wasn’t lost on me. I’d relinquished the Alpha role to be with Alex, only to have it thrust back upon me by his actions. Why couldn’t he just stay out of my life. Even if he had been the one to have me released, he was never

out of me.

the office door creaked open and Natalia entered. Her concerned gaze swept over

laced with worry. “How

hollow even to me. “It could be better,” I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. “Mr. Davies is trying to get me visitation rights, but it could take days. And the

my hand gently, her touch warm and reassuring. “Hey,” she said firmly, her voice unwavering, “You’re strong,

like one drama after another, I confessed, burying my face in her

me tight. “I know, sweetie,” she murmured. “It feels