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.

prank would be fun. But it wasn’t, someone was watching me still. They had been in the house. They had

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

I called out, my voice

etched with surprise. His gaze flickered over my dishevelled appearance, taking in the way my hair hung loose around my

asked, his voice laced with urgency. He took a few quick steps towards me,

a wave 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 adrenaline that had been keeping me going started to ebb away,

touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through

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

words tumbling

Chapter 104

screen, the realization that someone had been

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

trembling. Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over. I felt so stupid, so careless. How could I have

“Maybe it’s the adrenaline from what happened earlier messing

You said you took out the camera in their room. That means someone had installed

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

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

voice laced with desperation. “They could be anywhere! We

leaf. We can’t go searching the house in this state. We’d wake the

continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go back inside and get some rest.

his phone and stepped 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

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

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