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 fine. 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

on the porch, his back to me. He was staring out at

I called out, my voice ragged with

sound of 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

with urgency. He took a few quick steps towards me, his

washed over me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled back 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

spark of warmth through the growing coldness that had begun to creep into my limbs. “What

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

into a frantic explanation, the words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. I told him about the computer

Chapter 104

screen, the

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

I was breathless, my entire body trembling. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I felt so stupid, so careless. How could I have let this

fresh wave of panic through me. “Maybe it’s the adrenaline from what happened earlier messing with your

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 took out the camera in their room. That means someone

gnawed at me, 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

he soothed, his voice calm and steady

how?” I cried, my voice laced with desperation. “They could be

leaf. We can’t go searching the

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

as he dialed a number, his brow furrowed in concentration. He spoke in hushed tones, his voice low and

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

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