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.

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

back to me. He was

called out, my voice

voice, his face etched with surprise. His gaze flickered over my dishevelled appearance, taking in the way my hair

with urgency. He took a few quick

me. My vision blurred, and I stumbled back a step, my hand flying out to grip the railing

gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness that had begun

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

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

Chapter 104

frozen image on the screen, the realization that someone had

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

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 could I

Ivan asked, his voice laced with a hint of doubt that sent a fresh wave of panic through me. “Maybe it’s the adrenaline from what happened earlier messing

the twins. Frozen on the screen. You said you

a potential threat to the twins‘ safety. The thought of them being watched, their every move monitored by unseen eyes, filled

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

voice laced with desperation. “They could be

his head gently. “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

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 you need to be clear–headed for what comes

dialed a number, his

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

of relief washed over me, momentarily pushing back the tide of fear. “Are you sure they can handle