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.

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

Ivan outside, standing on the porch, his back to me.

called out, my voice ragged

appearance, taking in the way my hair hung loose

laced with urgency. He took a few quick steps

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

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

wasn’t the time to be collapsing. “No, it’s not a nightmare,” I stammered, my voice barely

the words tumbling out in a

Chapter 104

the screen, the realization that someone had been watching

Shame burned in my gut, a hot inferno fueled 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 I knew

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 happen? Why did I discard something

you sure?” Ivan asked, his voice laced with 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 clenched slightly

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 access to it and had been watching them.

one a potential threat to the twins‘ safety. The thought of them being watched, their every move monitored by unseen eyes, filled me with a

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

cried, my voice laced with desperation. “They could

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

for a moment, 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

his phone and stepped away from me a few paces. I watched as he dialed a number, his brow furrowed in concentration. He spoke in hushed tones, his voice low and

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

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