26. Maya

Chapter twenty-six

Maya

M y hands are trembling as I end the call with Levi. The weight of his words crashes over me like a wave, cold and relentless. Officer Moore, the man who was supposed to protect us, is the head of the poaching ring. It's almost too much to wrap my mind around, but there's no time to process it now. We're all in danger, and I need to act fast.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but it feels like the walls are closing in. My heart pounds in my chest, a wild rhythm that matches the fear coursing through my veins. I force myself to focus on the task at hand—calling the team and warning them. But my fingers fumble as I dial Sarah's number, and I have to try twice before I finally get it right.

The phone rings, and each second feels like an eternity. Come on, Sarah, pick up. Finally, her voice comes through the line, bright and cheery, completely unaware of the storm about to hit.

"Hey, Maya! What's up?"

"Sarah, something's happened," I blurt out, my voice shaking despite my efforts to stay calm. "Levi just found out that Officer Moore is the head of the poachers. He overheard him talking about a big delivery they're planning—Sarah, we're all in danger."

There's a beat of silence, and then Sarah's tone shifts, all business. "What? Are you serious?"

"Yes," I say, pacing the length of my living room. "Levi called Detective Goodwin, and he's going to handle it, but we need to be careful. Moore might know that Levi overheard him, and if he does, who knows what he'll do."

"Okay, okay," Sarah says, her voice laced with concern but also determination. "I'll call Hank, Jim and Lori. We'll lay low until we hear from Levi or the detective. But Maya... be careful, and stay put until Levi gets there, okay?"

"I will," I promise, though the words feel hollow. I'm not sure how to be careful when the danger is everywhere, closing in on us. "Just make sure everyone knows what's going on. I'll call you as soon as I hear anything."

"Got it," Sarah says, and we end the call.

I take a deep breath, but it does nothing to calm the anxiety clawing at me. My thoughts are going in a million different directions—Levi, the danger we're in, the uncertainty of what comes next. It feels like we're right back where we started, running for our lives from a threat we can't fully see. Only this time, the stakes are higher. The enemy is closer.

I move to the window, peering out hoping to see Levi's truck pulling in. My fingers tap anxiously on the windowsill, my mind racing. What if Moore comes after us? What if he's already watching? I quickly pull back from the window, the thought sends a shiver down my spine, and I push it away, trying to focus on the here and now.

I need to keep it together. For the team. For Levi.

But waiting is the hardest part. Every minute feels like an hour, the silence of my condo is oppressive and heavy. I pace back and forth, my mind replaying the conversation with Levi, the urgency in his voice, the fear I'm trying so hard to suppress. What if something happens to him on the way here? What if Moore finds him before he can get to me?

The thought of losing Levi now, after everything we've been through, is unbearable. I can't let that happen. I won't. But the fear gnaws at me, a dark cloud that I can't shake.

I run my hands through my hair, tugging at the ends in frustration. I've always prided myself on staying calm under pressure, but this is different. This is personal. This is Levi, the man who's become so much more to me than just a colleague, he's more than just a friend, he's the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. The realization of this hits me hard. I've been afraid to admit it for fear Levi doesn't feel the same way. But now is not the time to be dwelling on these thoughts. We need to get passed this current crisis to even think about a future.

I stop pacing and close my eyes, forcing myself to breathe, to focus. Levi will be here soon. We'll get through this, like we always do. But until then, the fear lingers, a constant, unwelcome companion.

My phone buzzes in my hand, and I jump, my nerves on edge. It's a text from Sarah— Everyone's been warned. We're staying put. Stay safe, Maya . I exhale slowly, grateful for Sarah's quick action, but the knot in my stomach remains.

I move to the door, peering out, hoping, praying to see Levi's truck pull up. The minutes drag by each one filled with the dread of the unknown. I try to stay calm, but the fear is like a living thing, wrapping itself around me, making it hard to breathe.

I can't lose Levi. Not now. Not ever.

The sound of a car engine in the distance snaps me back to the present, and I hold my breath, waiting, hoping it's him. I need to see him, to know he's safe, to feel his arms around me, grounding me in a reality that isn't just fear and uncertainty.

But until he walks through that door, I'm left with nothing but the pounding of my heart and the desperate hope that we'll get through this.

The sound of a car door slamming shut reaches my ears, and I rush to the window, my heart leaping into my throat. Levi's truck is parked out front, and I watch as he rushes toward the front door. Relief floods through me, but it's tinged with the ever-present undercurrent of fear. He's here, he's safe—for now.

I don't wait for him to knock. I fling the door open and practically throw myself into his arms. The second I feel his strong embrace, the tension I've been holding onto releases in a shuddering breath. He's solid, real, and his arms wrap around me with a fierceness that tells me he's been just as worried as I have.

"Maya," Levi murmurs into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. "Are you okay?"

I nod against his chest, unable to speak for a moment. The world narrows down to just us, standing there in the doorway, holding on like our lives depend on it. And maybe they do.

"I was so scared something would happen to you," I finally manage to say, my voice muffled against his shirt.

"Me too," Levi admits, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. His gaze is intense, filled with a mix of worry and something deeper, something that makes my heart ache in a way I can't quite describe. "But I'm here now," he says. "And we're going to figure this out."

I nod again, but the fear still lingers. "Levi, what if—"

He cuts me off with a gentle hand on my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I didn't even realize had fallen. "No ‘what ifs,' Maya. We've gotten through everything so far, and we'll get through this too."

I gaze into his eyes, trying to draw strength from his calm determination. "What do we do?

Levi pulls me inside and closes the door behind us, locking it with a decisive click. "I think we need to get everyone together at the center. It's safer if we're all in one place, where we can watch each other's backs. Moore's going to be looking for any of us who might be a threat to his operation, and I don't want anyone alone right now."

The gravity of the situation hits me all over again, and I swallow hard. "You think it's that serious?"

Levi's expression is grim as he nods. "I do. I saw how angry Moore was. He's desperate, and desperate men are dangerous. We can't take any chances."

I feel a fresh wave of anxiety, but I push it down, knowing Levi is right. "Okay. Let's call the others."

Levi takes out his phone and dials Sarah. I sit on the edge of the couch, my knee bouncing with nervous energy as I listen to the conversation.

"Sarah, it's Levi," he begins, his voice steady but firm. "I think we should all meet at the center. It's safer if we're together."

There's a pause as Sarah responds, and I can't hear her words, but from the way Levi's jaw tightens, I know she's worried too.

"I know, but it's the best option we have right now. We'll be safer in numbers, and the center's more secure than our homes," Levi continues, pacing the room as he speaks. "Can you call Jim and Lori? I'll get in touch with Hank."

He waits for her reply, then nods, even though she can't see him. "Thanks, Sarah. Tell them to hurry."

He ends the call and immediately dials Hank. I watch him, my heart pounding in my chest, as he waits for Hank to pick up. When he does, Levi's tone shifts to one of quiet urgency.

"Hank, it's Levi. We're gathering everyone at the center. I need you to bring your ‘friend' along, just in case."

The code is clear enough, and I see a flicker of relief cross Levi's face as Hank agrees on the other end of the line.

"Yeah, I know it's serious," Levi says, glancing over at me. "That's why we need to stick together. Meet us there as soon as you can and watch your back."

He hangs up and pockets his phone, turning back to me. "Hank's on his way. Sarah's calling Jim and Lori."

Maya looks at Levi with a furrowed brow, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What did you mean by "bring your friend?" she asks, her voice laced with concern.

Levi meets her gaze, his expression serious. "It's our code," he explains quietly. "I asked Hank to bring his gun. Just in case."

I'm stunned that Levi thinks we will need guns. "Do you really think Moore will come after us?"

Levi hesitates for a moment, then crosses the room to sit beside me. "I don't know, Maya. But I'm not willing to take any chances. We've stirred up a hornet's nest, and there's no telling what he'll do to protect himself and his operation."

I lean into him, seeking comfort in his presence. "I just want this to be over. I want us to be safe."

"I know," Levi says softly, wrapping an arm around me. "And we will be. We just have to hold on a little longer." I assure her. "Now, we need to get moving."