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.

was watching me still. They had been in the house. They had been in the twins room. They had been in the

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

I 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 shoulders and my clothes were rumpled

urgency. He took a

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, leaving behind a wave of

sending a spark of warmth through the growing coldness that

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

breath, I launched into a frantic explanation, the words tumbling out

Chapter 104

on the screen, the realization that someone had

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 judge. He simply waited, allowing me to purge the fear and panic from my

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

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

“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

devouring any sense of reason. Images of hidden cameras flashed 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,

watched me, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he reached out and 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

“They could be anywhere! We

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

he continued, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. “You go

watched as he dialed a number, his brow furrowed

a few minutes, he hung up the phone and turned back to me. “I just called some people I know,” he explained.” They’ll be

pushing back the tide