20. Maya

Chapter twenty

Maya

S itting on the edge of my bed, I stare out the window of my condo, the soft glow of the streetlights casting shadows across the room. The events of the day replay in my mind like a broken record, each repetition intensifying the gnawing feeling of betrayal and confusion in my chest. Seeing Levi at Grady's with that suspicious man has left a pit in my stomach that I can't seem to shake.

I thought I knew him. I thought we were rebuilding something, something real and honest. But now, I don't know what to think. When Hank and I confronted him, his dismissive attitude, the way he just brushed it off like it was nothing—it was like a slap in the face. He didn't even try to give us a plausible explanation. Just vague reassurances that everything was fine. But everything is not fine.

I sigh deeply, running a hand through my hair. My mind is a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, hurt, confusion, and something else—a deep, aching sadness. Levi and I have a history, one filled with dreams and promises we made when we were younger. Those nights we spent dancing, laughing, sharing our hopes for the future—they feel so distant now. What happened to us?

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I think about the past few weeks. Working together on the conservation project has brought us closer again, and for a while, it felt like old times. He made me laugh, and he made me feel alive. But now, all I feel is this gaping void of mistrust.

I can't help but wonder what else he's hiding. If he's involved in something dangerous, if he's putting himself—and possibly me—in harm's way, I need to know. But how can I reach him when he's so determined to keep me in the dark?

I pace the room, trying to calm my racing thoughts. There has to be an explanation. Maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe he really is just trying to protect me from something. But the doubt lingers, festering like an open wound.

I pick up my phone, contemplating calling him, demanding the truth. But then I remember the way he looked at me, the way he dismissed my concerns so easily. No, calling him won't solve anything. Not now. Not when I don't know if I can trust him.

I sink back onto the bed, hugging a pillow to my chest. The room feels colder, emptier. The memories of Levi and our time together are like ghosts, haunting me with what could have been. I need answers. And I need to know if there's still something worth fighting for in the midst of all this confusion and doubt.

Eventually, exhaustion overtakes me, and I fall asleep, my tears soaking into the pillow.

A loud knock on the door startles me awake. I sit up, disoriented, my heart pounding. I glance at the clock—it's well past midnight. Who could be here at this hour?

Another knock, more urgent this time. I quickly wipe my face, trying to pull myself together. "Coming!" I call out, my voice shaky.

When I open the door, I'm surprised to see Sarah standing there, her face pale and worried. Next to her is Detective Goodwin, looking grim.

"Sarah, what's going on?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Maya, we need to talk," Sarah says, her eyes filled with concern. "Can we come in?"

I step aside, letting them in. The anxiety that had settled in my chest flares up again. "What's this about?" I ask, my voice trembling.

Goodwin steps forward. "Maya, Levi's involved in an operation to take down the poachers. He's been working with us, but it's dangerous, and we need to move you to a safe location."

My head spins. "What? Poachers? Why didn't he tell me?"

"He couldn't," Sarah says softly. "For your safety and his. But now things are at a critical point, and we can't risk you being here if something goes wrong."

The room feels like it's closing in on me. I sink onto the couch, trying to process what they're saying. "So, Levi's been working undercover?"

"Yes," Goodwin replies. "And right now, the best thing you can do is come with us. We'll take you to Sarah's place. It's safe there."

Tears well up again. "Why didn't he trust me enough to tell me? I thought we were..."

Sarah sits beside me, taking my hand. "He's trying to protect you, Maya. He cares about you more than you know."

I nod, trying to hold back the sobs threatening to break free. "Okay, I'll go. Just… keep him safe, please."

"We will," Goodwin promises. "But right now, we need to move."

I grab a few things, my mind numb. As I follow them out, I can't shake the fear and uncertainty that gnaws at me. All I can do is hope that Levi knows what he's doing, and that this nightmare will end soon.

As we drive to Sarah's, I stare out the window, my thoughts a chaotic mix of worry and longing. Levi, please be safe. We still have so much to figure out.

Sarah and Detective Goodwin escort me to Sarah's place, but the tension in my chest didn't ease. If anything, it seemed to grow tighter, like a coiled spring wound too tight. I sat on Sarah's couch, my eyes puffy from crying, feeling an emptiness gnawing at me.

Sarah brings over a cup of tea, placing it gently in my hands. "Drink this. It'll help."

I nod absently, the warmth of the cup seeping into my palms. "Why couldn't he just tell me?" I whispered, my voice cracking. "Why did Levi have to keep me in the dark?"

Sarah sighs and sits down beside me. "Maya, Levi was trying to protect you. He didn't want to involve you in something so dangerous."

I shake my head, tears welling up again. "But I'm already involved, Sarah. We're working together on this project. He should've trusted me."

"It's not that simple," Sarah said softly. "Levi was threatened by the poachers. They told him that if he didn't follow their orders, they'd hurt you. He took a huge risk even telling Detective Goodwin and me."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What?" I look at her, my eyes wide with shock. "They threatened me?"

Sarah nods, her expression serious. "Yes. Levi's been doing everything he can to keep you safe. That's why he couldn't tell you anything. He was terrified of what they might do to you."

The room seems to tilt as I process what she is saying. Levi had been trying to protect me all along. The thought makes my heart ache. "I had no idea," I murmur, my voice trembling. "I just thought he didn't trust me."

"He trusts you more than anyone," Sarah said, squeezing my hand. "That's why he's been so careful. He didn't want to put you in more danger."

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. "What if something goes wrong? What if they hurt him?"

Sarah's grip tightens on my hand. "We're doing everything we can to make sure that doesn't happen. The authorities are involved now, and they have a plan in place. We just need to trust him."

The enormity of the situation weighs heavily on me. I feel a mix of fear, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. "I wish I could do something to help."

"You are helping," Sarah reassured me. "By staying safe, you're giving Levi one less thing to worry about. That's important."

I nod slowly, the words sinking in. "I just hope he knows how much I care about him."

Sarah smiles gently. "He does, Maya. He knows."

As I sit here, surrounded by the quiet of Sarah's home, I realize just how much Levi has sacrificed to keep me safe. It makes me appreciate him even more, but it also fills me with fierce determination. I won't let his efforts be in vain. I will be strong for him, just as he's being strong for me.