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.

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

to me. He was staring out at the star–dusted

called out, my voice ragged with

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

laced with urgency. He took

answer, 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

out to steady 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

to be collapsing. “No,

frantic explanation, the words tumbling out in a jumbled

Chapter 104

frozen image on the screen, the realization that

I could feel 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.

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

sure?” 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 with your head?” His jaw clenched slightly at the last part, a reminder of the lingering tension between

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

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

okay,” he soothed, his voice calm and steady in stark

with desperation. “They could be anywhere! We

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

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

watched as he dialed a number,

up the phone and turned back to me. “I just called some people I know,” he explained.” They’ll be here first thing in the morning. They’ll sweep the entire mansion, check all

the tide of fear. “Are