27. Levi

Chapter twenty-seven

Levi

T he drive to the center is tense. Maya sits beside me, silent but clutching my hand as if it's the only thing tethering her to reality. I can feel everything that's happened pressing down on us, heavier than the air in the truck. My thoughts race, trying to anticipate Moore's next move. The man is desperate, and that makes him unpredictable and dangerous.

When we finally pull up to the center, I spot Sarah's car already parked outside. The building, usually a place of hope and conservation, now feels like a fortress we're retreating to, trying to stay safe from a threat that's far too close. I glance at Maya, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze before we step out of the truck.

Inside, the mood is somber. Sarah, Jim, and Lori are gathered around the small table in the break room, their faces etched with worry. Hank is leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, a steely look in his eyes that tells me he's ready for whatever comes. When he sees us, he nods, a silent acknowledgment that we're all in this together.

"I see we're all here." I announce, my voice sounding more tired than I intended.

"Yeah," Sarah answers, gesturing to the others. "We got here just before you did. What's the plan, Levi?"

I know that what I'm about to say isn't going to bring them any comfort. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it—Moore is dangerous, and he's not going to let us ruin his operation without a fight. I overheard him talking about one last big delivery, which means he's still got resources and people working for him. We have to assume he knows we were involved with the last raid and that makes us targets."

Their eyes are on me, wide and filled with concern. I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. "I recorded part of the conversation," I explain, holding up the device. "I want you all to see it."

I tap the play button, and the room falls silent as the video starts. The grainy footage shows Moore's tense exchange with Manny, their voices hushed but the tension between them palpable. I watch the faces of my friends as they listen—eyes narrowing, jaws clenching, the realization of how close we are to danger sinking in.

When the video ends, no one speaks for a long moment. It's Sarah who finally breaks the silence. "So, what do we do now? Just sit here and wait?"

I shake my head. "No, I don't think that's wise. We need to stay together, yes, but sitting here, doing nothing, will drive us crazy. I think we should get to work—keep our minds busy. We collected samples yesterday, right? Let's focus on that. It'll help pass the time until Detective Goodwin calls with news."

Sarah nods slowly, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You're right. Let's get to it, then. We can't just sit around waiting for the other shoe to drop."

The team moves with purpose, though there's an undercurrent of tension in every movement. I watch them as they head to the lab, feeling a mix of pride and worry. These people are more than just colleagues—they're family. And I'll do whatever it takes to protect them.

Before the team starts working, I clear my throat to get their attention. "Just so you know, while you guys are focused on the samples, Hank and I will be keeping an eye on things. We'll be checking around the building, making sure there are no surprises. We need to stay alert until we hear from Detective Goodwin."

As they start setting up the samples, I catch Hank's eye. He gives me a slight nod, and I know we're on the same page. We'll be ready if anything happens.

***

A couple of hours have passed, and the tension hangs heavy in the air. The team has been diligently working on the samples, but the anxiety of waiting for Detective Goodwin's call hangs over us like a storm cloud. Everyone's on edge, glancing at their phones, waiting for news, but there's still nothing. The silence is starting to get to all of us.

Sarah finally breaks the tension. "I don't know about you guys, but it's past lunchtime, and we could all use a break. How about we order some pizza? Might help to get our minds off things for a bit."

There's a murmur of agreement, though it's clear that food is the last thing on anyone's mind. Still, the idea of doing something normal, something routine, is a welcome distraction. Sarah makes a list of what everyone wants and grabs her phone to place the order. The rest of us settle back into our seats, the nervous energy momentarily easing.

But as we wait, the unease creeps back in. I can see it in the way Jim drums his fingers on the table, the way Lori keeps glancing at the door as if expecting Moore to burst in at any moment. I know the waiting is wearing on all of us, so I decide it's time to push for some answers.

I pull out my phone and dial Goodwin, the ringing on the other end only adding to my impatience. Finally, he picks up.

"Goodwin, it's Levi," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "We're still waiting. Any news?"

Goodwin sighs, and I can hear the exhaustion in his voice. "Levi, I know it's tough waiting, but we're making progress. The video you provided is solid—enough to get an arrest warrant for Moore. But we're digging deeper, looking into every aspect of his life, seeing if there's anything else that raises red flags or ties him to other corrupt activities. We want to make sure that when we bring him in, the charges stick."

I frown, though I understand the reasoning. "How long do you think it'll take?"

"We're moving as fast as we can," Goodwin assures me. "This has been made a priority, Levi. We've got everyone on it because we know what's at stake. I've even got a judge on standby, ready to sign the warrant as soon as we've got everything in place. Just hang tight a little longer. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I assigned a couple squad cars to keep an eye out on the center until we bring Moore in."

I nod, even though he can't see me. "Alright, Goodwin. I'm glad to know about the squad cars, thanks for that. But keep us posted, okay? We're all on edge."

"Will do," he replies before ending the call.

I lower the phone, meeting the anxious gazes of my team. "They're working on it. The video's enough for a warrant, but they're digging deeper, trying to make sure everything sticks. We just need to hold on a bit longer. Good news is, Goodwin assigned a couple of squad cars to keep an eye on the center."

The reassurance helps, but only a little. We all know how dangerous Moore is, after all, his men did try to kill us before. Still, there's nothing more we can do right now except wait for the pizza and hope that the next call brings the news we're all desperate to hear.

The pizza arrives not long after, the delivery guy looking slightly bewildered as he hands over the boxes to a group of people who seem far more tense than hungry. We gather in the break room, the scent of melted cheese and tomato sauce filling the air, but no one dives in right away. It's as if the pizza is just a prop, something to keep our hands busy while our minds race with thoughts of what might be happening outside these walls.

We settle around the table, each person grabbing a slice more out of obligation than appetite. I notice Maya sitting across from me, picking at her food. She's been so composed through all of this, keeping everyone else grounded even when I know she's just as scared as the rest of us. Watching her now, I'm struck by how strong she's been—how much of a leader she's turned out to be in this whole mess.

Maya glances up and catches my eye, offering a small smile that's meant to be reassuring. But I see the strain behind it, the exhaustion she's trying so hard to hide. She's been the glue holding us all together, and yet she's the one I worry about most. I'm amazed at how she's managed to stay so poised, encouraging the others when they start to waver. It hits me all at once—how much she means to me, how deeply I care for her.

The realization is like a jolt to the system. I've always admired Maya, always known that she's someone special, but I never allowed myself to think beyond that. Not until now, anyway. Watching her navigate this chaos with such grace has made me see her in a whole new light. It's not just admiration—it's love, plain and simple. And it terrifies me.

I take a sip of my drink, trying to compose myself as the truth of my feelings settles in. I love her. I love her strength, her kindness, the way she's been a pillar for everyone, including me. I love the way she's handled herself through this whole project, never backing down, even when things got dangerous. I love her, and I can't keep pretending I don't.

I make up my mind right then and there. When this is all over—when Moore is behind bars and the danger has passed—I'm going to tell her how I feel. No more hiding behind excuses or second-guessing myself. If she rejects me, at least I'll know I tried. I can't let fear keep me from something that could be the best thing that ever happened to me.

I'm pretty sure she feels the same, though it's hard to be certain. Sometimes it seems like she's giving me hints, but then I wonder if I'm just imagining things, seeing what I want to see. Maybe she's been holding back because she isn't sure how I feel either. But that's going to change. I'll make sure of it.

The thought of confessing my feelings to Maya adds a new layer of anxiety to everything that's already going on, but it also gives me a strange sense of peace. No matter what happens with Moore, no matter how this all ends, I'm going to be honest with her. For the first time in what feels like forever, I have something to look forward to beyond just surviving the next few hours.

Maya catches my gaze again, and this time, I hold it a little longer, letting her see that there's something more in my eyes than just worry. She seems to notice, her brow furrowing slightly as if she's trying to figure out what's changed. I give her a small smile, and she returns it, though with a hint of curiosity.

Maybe she's already starting to suspect. Maybe she's been waiting for me to make the first move. Either way, I'm done waiting. As soon as this nightmare is over, I'm going to tell her everything.

After lunch, everyone returns to the lab to continue working, except for Maya, Sarah, and me. The leftover pizza boxes sit abandoned on the table, the silence in the break room a stark contrast to the tension that filled it earlier. I notice Sarah fidgeting slightly, as if she has something on her mind. She finally looks at Maya with a serious expression, and I sense that whatever she wants to discuss is important.

"Maya," Sarah begins, her voice measured, "there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. I was going to wait until Monday, but since we're all here together, and things are so uncertain, I'd like to discuss it now—if that's okay with you."

Maya glances at me, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, and then back to Sarah. "Sure, Sarah. Of course."

I feel a bit out of place, like I might be intruding on a private conversation. "I can step out if you two want to chat," I offer, starting to rise from my chair.

But Sarah quickly shakes her head. "Actually, Levi, I'd like you to stay. This involves both of you."

My heart skips a beat, a sudden worry gripping me. Did we break some kind of rule about dating on the job? My mind races with possibilities as I sit back down, trying to stay calm.

Sarah gives us both a reassuring smile, sensing my concern. "First, I want to tell you both how incredibly happy I am with the work you've done on the turtle project. You've gone above and beyond, putting the protection of these turtles above your own safety, and I admire your dedication more than I can say. This project has been one of the most challenging and rewarding we've ever undertaken, and you two have been at the heart of it."

Maya and I exchange a glance, relief washing over me, though I still have no idea where this is going. Maya smiles, but I can see the curiosity still lingering in her eyes.

Sarah continues, her tone becoming more excited. "OceanLife has several more projects lined up in the near future, and after watching you work together and seeing your passion for the conservation effort, I want to offer you both something that I believe will be a perfect fit."

Maya leans forward, her eyes widening slightly. "Sarah, are you saying...?"

Sarah nods, her whole face smiling, turning her full attention to Maya. "Maya, I want to offer you a full-time position as our Marine Biologist for the center. Your work has been nothing short of exceptional, and I believe you're exactly the person we need for the upcoming projects. Of course, this means you'd be staying here in Key Largo, continuing the work you've started."

Maya's hand flies to her mouth, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "Sarah, I—I don't know what to say. This is everything I've ever wanted. I love what I've been doing here, and the thought of being able to stay and keep working on these projects… I'm thrilled! Thank you so much!"

I can't help but grin as I watch Maya, her excitement infectious. She's been so dedicated to this project, and it's clear how much this opportunity means to her. I'm genuinely happy for her, but then Sarah turns to me, and I suddenly feel all eyes on me.

"And Levi," Sarah begins, her smile warm, "we know how much you love the water, and how passionate you are about conservation. Your knowledge and skill as a boat captain have been invaluable to us. So, I'd like to offer you a position as well—whenever we need a boat captain for our projects, I'd love for you to be the one we call on. You can continue running your tour company, but whenever there's a need, we want you with us."

For a moment, I'm speechless. This is more than I ever expected. It's the perfect balance—being involved in something I believe in while still doing what I love most, being out on the water, just like my father was. The idea of continuing my father's legacy while contributing to such an important cause fills me with a sense of purpose I hadn't realized I was missing.

"I don't know what to say either, Sarah," I finally manage, my voice thick with emotion. "This is... an incredible offer. I'd be honored to be part of this team."

Sarah's smile broadens, and before I know it, Maya is out of her seat, throwing her arms around me in a hug. "This is amazing, Levi! We get to keep working together!"

Her excitement and the warmth of her embrace make my heart race. I hug her back, overwhelmed with a mix of emotions—joy, relief, and something deeper that I'm not quite ready to name.

The door to the break room swings open, and the rest of the team filters in, their faces lighting up as they see our expressions. Sarah wastes no time sharing the news, and soon the room is filled with congratulations and excitement. Jim claps me on the back, Lori gives Maya a tight hug, and even Hank cracks a rare smile, nodding approvingly at us both.

The atmosphere is electric, the tension from earlier replaced with a sense of celebration and hope. Everyone is thrilled that Maya will be staying on, and that I'll be involved too. It feels like the first real moment of happiness we've had since all this chaos started.

As the team buzzes around us, planning how we'll celebrate once the danger has passed, I find myself stealing glances at Maya. Her joy is contagious, and I feel that this is just the beginning of something incredible—not just for our work, but for us.