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.

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

the porch, his back to me. He was staring out at the star–dusted night

I called out, my voice

gaze flickered over my dishevelled appearance, taking in

his voice laced with urgency. He took a few quick steps towards

a step, my hand flying out to grip the railing for support. Suddenly, the adrenaline that had been keeping me going started to ebb away, leaving behind a wave

warmth through the growing coldness that had begun to creep into my limbs. “What happened? Did you

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

explanation, the words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. I told him

Chapter 104

the realization that someone had been

inferno fueled by the knowledge that I had put the twins at risk. Ivan listened patiently, his expression

up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I felt so stupid, so careless. How could I have let this

the adrenaline from what happened earlier messing with your head?” His jaw clenched slightly at the last part, a reminder of the lingering tension between

was a live feed of me watching the twins. Frozen on the screen. You said you took out the camera in their room. That means someone had installed another one, had access to it and had been watching

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

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

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

his head gently. “Look at you. You’re shaking like a leaf. We can’t go searching the house in this state. We’d wake

taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside and get some rest. It’s cold out here

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

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

washed over me, momentarily pushing back the tide of fear.