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 the twins room. They had been in the room I shared with Ivan. Ivan. I needed to find him. I sprinted out of the room and down the hallway, my bare feet pounding a frantic rhythm

porch, his back to me. He was staring out at

called out, my voice ragged with

at the sound 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

What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice laced with urgency. He took

out to grip the railing for support. Suddenly, the adrenaline that

a spark of warmth

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

the words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. I told him about

Chapter 104

the realization that someone

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

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

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 the lingering tension

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 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

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

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

“Look at you. You’re shaking like a leaf. We can’t go searching the house in this state. We’d wake the twins and probably miss something important

moment, his eyes scanning my face. “Here’s what we’re going to do,” he continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside and get some rest.

away from me a few paces. I watched as he dialed a number, his brow furrowed in concentration. He spoke in hushed tones, his voice low and serious as he explained the

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

momentarily pushing back the