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.

They had been in the house. They had been in the

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

my voice

taking in the way my hair hung loose around my

What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice laced with urgency. He took a few quick steps towards me, his brow furrowed in

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

was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness that had begun to creep into

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

launched into a frantic explanation, the words tumbling out in a jumbled mess.

Chapter 104

on the screen, the realization that someone had

the color draining from my 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 my system even though I knew he 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 so

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 at the last part, a reminder of

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

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

touch surprisingly gentle. “Okay, okay,” he soothed, his voice calm and steady in stark

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

searching

we’re going to do,” he continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside

dialed a number, his brow

people I know,” he explained.” They’ll be here first thing in the morning. They’ll sweep the entire mansion, check all the security footage, and find

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