Bonds

Chapter 104

-Maya’s POV-

Adrenaline surged through my veins, my gaze darted back to the computer screen, the image frozen on a shot of me watching the sleeping

the

twins. Panic clawed at my throat,

Who was watching me?

And how long had they been doing it?

Throwing the covers back in a single, frantic motion, I scrambled out of bed. My bare feet slapped against the cold floor as I raced towards the door, the chilling image on the screen burning into my memory. I had to get to the twins, see if they were alright.

Were they safe?

Had whoever was watching me done anything to them?

Reaching their room, I flung the door open with a force that sent it slamming against the wall. Relief washed over me in a tidal wave as I took In the scene before me. Nate and Ivy lay nestled together still, fast asleep, their breathing soft and even. The sight of them, safe and sound, calmed the frantic storm raging inside me for a moment.

But the image on the computer screen kept flashing through my mind, a constant reminder of the threat that lurked in the shadows. Someone had been watching me, watching the twins. What did they want? And how long had this been going on? The thought sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over me.

had been in the house. They had been in the twins room. They had been in the room I shared with Ivan. Ivan. I needed to find him.

found Ivan outside, standing on the porch, his back to me. He was staring out at

called out, my voice

my voice, his face etched with surprise. His gaze flickered over my dishevelled appearance, taking in the way my hair hung

took a few quick steps towards me, his

stumbled back a step, my hand flying out to grip the railing for support.

to steady me. His touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness that had begun to creep into my limbs. “What happened?

head, forcing myself to focus. This wasn’t the time to be collapsing. “No, it’s not a nightmare,”

into a frantic explanation, the words tumbling out

Chapter 104

frozen image on the screen, the realization

I had put the twins at risk. Ivan listened patiently, his expression unreadable. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t judge. He simply waited, allowing me to purge the fear and panic from my system even though

spill over. I felt so stupid, so

of doubt that sent a fresh wave of panic through me. “Maybe it’s the adrenaline from what happened earlier messing with your head?”

my head vehemently, my throat tightening with a fresh wave of fear. “Yes, I swear,” I stammered. “It was a live feed of me watching the twins. Frozen on the screen. You said you

of hidden cameras flashed through my mind, each one a potential threat to the twins‘ safety. The thought of them being watched, their every move monitored by unseen eyes, filled me

gentle. “Okay, okay,” he soothed, his voice calm and steady in stark contrast

with desperation. “They could be anywhere! We need to check the house, right

like a leaf. We can’t go searching the house in this

taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside

from me a few paces. I watched as he dialed a number, his brow furrowed in concentration.

he hung up the phone and turned back to me. “I just called some people I know,” he explained.” They’ll be here first

washed over me, momentarily pushing back the tide of