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.

It was a one time thing like Natalia said, someone thought pulling a prank would be fun. But it wasn’t, someone was watching me still. They 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. I sprinted out of the room and down the hallway, my bare feet pounding a frantic

his back to me. He was

called out, my

voice, his face etched with surprise. His gaze flickered over my dishevelled appearance, taking in the way my hair hung loose around my shoulders and my clothes were rumpled

he asked, his voice laced with urgency. He took

I could answer, a wave of nausea washed over me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled back a step, my hand flying out to grip the railing for support. Suddenly,

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

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

explanation, the words tumbling out in a

Chapter 104

the

by the knowledge that I had put the twins at risk. Ivan listened patiently, his expression unreadable. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t

my eyes, threatening to spill over. I felt so stupid, so careless. How could I have let this happen? Why

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

screen. You said you took out the camera in their room. That means someone

a hungry beast devouring any sense of reason. Images 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,

unreadable for a moment. Then, he reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. “Okay, okay,” he soothed, his voice calm and steady in stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. “Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet. We’ll

my voice laced with desperation. “They could be anywhere! We need to check the

go searching the house

his eyes scanning my face. “Here’s what we’re going to do,” he continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside and get some rest. It’s cold out here and you need to be clear–headed for what

out his phone and stepped away from me a few paces. I watched as he dialed a number, his brow

called some people I know,” he explained.” They’ll be here first thing in the morning. They’ll sweep the entire mansion, check all the

washed over me, momentarily pushing back the tide