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.

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

back to me. He was staring out

called out, my voice ragged

over my dishevelled appearance, taking in the way my hair hung loose around my shoulders and my clothes were

took a

of nausea washed over me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled back a step, my hand flying out to grip the railing for support.

out to steady me. His touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the

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

a deep breath, I launched into a frantic explanation, the words tumbling out in a

Chapter 104

the screen, the realization that someone

face. 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

body trembling. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I felt so stupid, so

me. “Maybe it’s 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

on the screen. You said you took out the camera in their room. That means someone had installed another one, had access

gnawed at me, a hungry beast devouring any sense of reason. Images of hidden cameras flashed through my mind, each one a potential threat

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 figure

cried, my voice laced with desperation. “They could be

a leaf. We can’t go searching the house in this state.

on a more authoritative

a number, his brow furrowed in concentration. He spoke in hushed tones, his voice

They’ll be here first thing in the morning. They’ll sweep the entire

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