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 in the house. They had been in the twins room. They had been in the room I

the porch, his back to me. He was staring out at the star–dusted night

out, my voice ragged with

taking in the way my hair hung loose around my

his voice laced 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

steady me. His touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness that had

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 jumbled mess. I told him about the

Chapter 104

screen, the realization

Ivan listened patiently, his expression unreadable. He didn’t interrupt, didn’t judge. He simply waited, allowing me to purge the fear and panic

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

wave of panic through me. “Maybe it’s the adrenaline from what happened earlier messing with your head?” His jaw clenched slightly at the last

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 access to it and had been watching them. Who knows where else in the house they could

a potential threat to

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.

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

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

he continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside

I watched as he dialed a number, his brow furrowed in concentration. He spoke

up the phone and turned back to me. “I just called some people I know,” he explained.” They’ll be here first thing in the morning. They’ll sweep the entire mansion, check

the tide of fear. “Are you