28. Maya

Chapter twenty-eight

Maya

I 'm still buzzing from Sarah's offer, the words playing over and over in my mind. Full-time Marine Biologist. I can hardly believe it. This is everything I've ever wanted, and now it's real. I get to stay here, in Key Largo, working on projects that matter, making a real difference. The excitement bubbles up inside me, and I can't help the smile that spreads across my face.

It's not just the job, though. It's everything that comes with it. It means I will be staying here—with Levi. I glance over at him, watching the way he's talking animatedly with Sarah and Hank, and my heart swells with a mix of joy and relief. These past couple of months have been such a whirlwind, from the excitement of the turtle project to the current danger with Officer Moore and his operation. And through it all, Levi's been there, steady and strong, even when I wasn't sure where we stood.

I think back to all those moments we've shared—the days on the boat, the way he looks at me, how he always seemed to know just what to say to calm my nerves. There's a warmth in his eyes now, something deeper and more certain than before. I've been so focused on the work, on keeping everything together, that I almost missed the way my feelings for him have grown.

And now… now I can finally admit it to myself. I love him. It's not just a crush or a fleeting attraction—it's real, and it's powerful, and it scares me a little because it's so new and unexpected. But at the same time, it feels right. It feels like everything has been leading up to this, like all the danger and uncertainty we've faced together has only made us stronger.

The thought of staying here, building a life in Key Largo, fills me with a sense of hope I haven't felt in a long time. This job isn't just a job—it's a chance to put down roots, to be part of something bigger than myself. And it's a chance to see where things will go with Levi. We've both been through so much, and I can't help but wonder if he feels the same way I do. Sometimes it's hard to tell—he's always so composed, so sure of himself. But there have been moments, little glimpses, that make me think he might.

I try to steady the flurry of emotions inside me. There's still so much uncertainty, so much we don't know about what comes next, especially with Moore still out there. But for the first time in a long time, I feel like everything is falling into place. I have this job, this opportunity to make a difference, and I have Levi—whether as a friend, a partner, or something more, I don't know yet. But I'm ready to find out.

The future suddenly feels wide open, full of possibilities I hadn't dared to dream of before. And as I look at Levi, his eyes meeting mine across the room, I realize that whatever comes next, I'm not facing it alone. We're in this together, and that thought fills me with a sense of peace I didn't know I needed.

This is where I belong—here, in this moment, with these people, in this place that has become my home.

Levi walks over to me, his brow furrowed slightly in curiosity. "Maya, where were you just now? You looked like you were a million miles away."

I snap out of my thoughts, smiling at him. "Oh, sorry about that. I was just thinking about everything that's happened in the last couple of months. It's been… a lot, you know?"

He nods, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, it has. But you've handled it all with so much strength."

His words warm me from the inside out, and I feel a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, Levi. I'm just so excited about this job offer. It's like a dream come true, getting to stay here and continue the work we've started. And… well, I'm excited about everything else too." My voice trails off, but I know he understands what I'm not saying out loud.

Before Levi can respond, his phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out and glances at the screen. "It's Detective Goodwin," he says, his tone suddenly serious.

"Do you want to take it in private?" I ask, though I'm already anticipating what news might be coming.

He shakes his head. "Actually, I think this is something we all should hear." He answers the call and quickly asks, "Detective Goodwin, would you mind if I put you on speaker? The whole team's here, and I'm sure they'd want to hear what you have to say."

"Of course, Levi. Go ahead," Goodwin's voice comes through the line, steady and clear.

I call out to the others, "Hey everyone, gather around! Detective Goodwin has some news."

Sarah, Jim, Lori, and Hank all join us, their faces a mixture of anticipation and nerves. Levi places his phone on the table, and we all lean in closer.

Goodwin doesn't waste any time. "I'll get straight to it. We got the warrant, and Officer Moore is now in custody."

A collective sigh of relief sweeps through the room, followed by murmurs of excitement. I reach for Levi's hand, squeezing it tightly, feeling the tension of the last few weeks start to ebb away.

But Goodwin isn't finished. "It turns out that turtle poaching wasn't all Moore has been involved in over the last few years. When we started digging into his background and cases, we found several irregularities. It seems Moore had also been embezzling funds from grants that were provided by various wildlife programs as well as illegal trafficking of other protected species. It didn't take long for him to realize he was going down for the poaching operation, especially with that video you provided."

"So, what happens now?" Levi asks, his voice steady, though I can hear the underlying tension.

"Moore has agreed to a plea bargain," Goodwin explains. "In exchange for a reduced sentence, he's giving up the names of his associates—the people he's been working with, both in and out of the agency. This could lead to a much bigger investigation, and we're hopeful it will dismantle the entire network of corruption he's been a part of."

There's a stunned silence as we all absorb the news. Then, almost as one, we erupt into a mix of cheers and laughter, the tension that's been holding us all hostage finally breaking.

"We did it," Sarah says, her voice filled with emotion. "We actually did it."

Jim claps Hank on the back, while Lori pulls me into a tight hug. "This is huge, Maya," she whispers in my ear. "You helped bring down a corrupt federal Officer. That's not something many people can say."

I can't stop smiling, the reality of what we've accomplished washing over me. "We all did it," I correct her. "Together."

Levi's hand still rests in mine, and when I glance over at him, his eyes are shining with pride. "We did it," he echoes, low but filled with meaning.

Goodwin's voice cuts through the celebratory noise. "I just want to say thank you to all of you. Your bravery and persistence made this possible. The road ahead might be long, but because of you, we're one step closer to ending this."

"Thank you, Detective," Levi replies.

"Anytime, Levi. Take care and stay safe. I'll keep you updated as things progress." With that, Goodwin ends the call.

For a moment, we all just stand there, letting the news sink in. Then the room erupts again—this time in relief and joy. We've been through so much, and now, finally, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

As everyone starts talking at once, planning a celebration, my eyes meet Levi's again. The smile on his face is one I'll never forget, full of hope and something more—something I'm finally ready to acknowledge.

We've been through the fire, and we've come out the other side stronger. And now, as I look around at the people who have become my family, I know one thing for sure: my life is about to get a whole lot better!

***

Sarah suggests we all go have a celebratory drink which brings cheers from everyone. As the team heads to Zenzi's, a local beach bar known for its laid-back vibe and stunning sunset views, the mood is light and filled with laughter. Sarah leads the way, everyone already planning what drinks to order. The weight that had been pressing down on us all is finally lifting, replaced by a sense of accomplishment and relief.

Once we arrive, the team finds a cozy spot on the patio with a perfect view of the ocean, and everyone settles in, ordering drinks and toasting to the success of our mission. The sound of waves crashing in the background adds to the festive atmosphere, but amidst the laughter and clinking glasses, I feel a different pull—one that leads me to look over at Levi.

He catches my eye, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Want to take a walk?" he asks, his voice low enough that only I can hear.

I nod, feeling a flutter in my chest as we quietly slip away from the group and head toward the beach. The sun is just beginning to dip below the horizon and the gentle breeze carries the salty scent of the ocean, and the rhythmic sound of the waves is calming, almost hypnotic.

We walk for a while, our feet sinking into the cool sand as the world around us seems to fall away. It's just the two of us, and the moment feels both surreal and perfect. Finally, Levi stops, turning to face me, his expression thoughtful.

"Maya," he begins, his voice soft and earnest, "these past few months have been… intense, to say the least. We've been through so much together, and I've seen sides of you that I never expected. Your strength, your determination, your compassion… they've all left me in awe."

His words make my heart race, and I can feel a blush rising to my cheeks. "Levi," I say, taking a step closer to him, "you've been my rock through all of this. I don't think I could have gotten through it without you. You've been so strong, so protective… I've never felt safer than when I'm with you."

He reaches out, gently taking my hand in his. The warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I look up into his eyes, feeling a depth of emotion that I've never felt before.

"I've been thinking a lot about what happens next," Levi continues, his voice a little shaky now. "When Sarah offered you that job, I felt this overwhelming sense of relief because it meant you wouldn't be leaving Key Largo. But it also made me realize something… something I've been avoiding for a while now."

My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for him to continue, the anticipation almost too much to bear.

"Maya, I love you," he finally says, his voice barely above a whisper, but the words carry all the weight in the world. "I've tried to deny it, tried to focus on everything else that's been happening, but I can't anymore. I love you, and I don't want to go another day without you knowing that."

A rush of emotions floods through me—relief, joy, love—and tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I've waited so long to hear those words, and now that they're out in the open, it feels like a dream come true.

"Levi," I say, my voice trembling with emotion, "I love you too. I think I've loved you for longer than I even realized. And now, knowing that we can be together… it feels like everything is finally falling into place."

He pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly, wrapping my arms around him as we stand there, holding each other close. The world around us fades into the background as we share this moment, the reality of our love settling in like the most natural thing in the world.

Levi pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, his forehead resting against mine. "I don't know what the future holds, but I do know one thing," he says, his voice full of promise. "I'm not letting you go, Maya."

I smile through my tears, an overwhelming sense of happiness overpowers me as we seal our love with a kiss that feels like the start of something beautiful, something lasting.

We stand there, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun with the ocean whispering its approval, I know that this is just the beginning of our story—a story of love, resilience, and the promise of a future we'll build together.