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.

was watching me still. They had been in the house. They had been in the twins room.

outside, standing on the porch, his back to me. He was staring

out, my voice ragged with

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

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

was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the

collapsing. “No, it’s not a nightmare,” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. “It’s

explanation, the words tumbling out

Chapter 104

the realization

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

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

doubt that sent a fresh wave of panic through me. “Maybe it’s the adrenaline from what happened

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. Who knows where else

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, filled

a hand on my shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. “Okay, okay,” he soothed, his

my voice laced with desperation. “They could

shaking like a leaf. We can’t go searching the house in this state. We’d wake the twins and

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 comes

number,

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

back the tide of fear.