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.

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

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

my voice

with surprise. His gaze flickered over my dishevelled appearance, taking

laced with urgency. He took a few quick steps

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

whoa, easy there,” He said, reaching out to steady me. His touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness

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

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

Chapter 104

frozen image on the screen, the realization that someone

by the knowledge that 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

threatening to spill

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

shook 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 took out the camera in their room. That means someone had installed another one, had

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

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

I cried, my voice laced with desperation. “They could be anywhere! We need to check the house, right

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

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

he dialed a number, his

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

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