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.

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

standing on the porch, his back to me. He was staring out at the star–dusted

I called out, my

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 clouded his

he asked, his voice laced with urgency. He took

to grip the railing for support. Suddenly, the adrenaline that had been keeping me going started to ebb away, leaving behind a wave of exhaustion

to steady me. His touch was gentle, sending a spark of warmth through the growing

collapsing. “No, it’s not a nightmare,” I stammered, my voice barely

tumbling out in a jumbled mess. I told

Chapter 104

the screen, the realization that

by the knowledge that I had put the twins at risk. Ivan listened patiently, his expression unreadable. He

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

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?”

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

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

how?” I cried, my voice laced with desperation. “They could be anywhere! We need to check

shaking like a leaf. We can’t go searching

paused for a 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. It’s

number, his brow furrowed in concentration.

some people I know,” he explained.” They’ll be here first thing in the morning. They’ll sweep the entire mansion, check all the security

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