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.

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 I shared with Ivan. Ivan. I needed to find him. I sprinted

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

I called out, my

of my voice, his face etched 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 from sleep. Concern

with urgency. He took a few quick steps

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

me. His touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness that had begun to creep into my limbs. “What happened? Did you have

time to be collapsing. “No,

breath, I launched into a frantic explanation, the words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. I told him

Chapter 104

screen, the realization that someone had been watching

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

time I finished, I was breathless, my entire body trembling. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I felt so stupid, so careless. How

through me. “Maybe it’s the adrenaline from what happened earlier

throat tightening with 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

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

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

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

You’re shaking like a leaf. We can’t go searching the house in this state. We’d

we’re going to do,” he continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside and get some rest. It’s cold out here and

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

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

wave of relief washed over me, momentarily pushing back the tide of