Chapter 8

Eight

N ERINE

As I stood by my apartment window, raindrops pounding against the glass drowned out the noise from the bustling Las Vegas Strip below. It was an unusual sight—rarely did it rain in this desert city. But today, the weather seemed to mirror my mood: gray and gloomy.

I wrapped my robe tighter around me, seeking comfort and warmth in its soft fabric. My gaze swept over the blurred view outside as the raindrops created a hazy curtain that distorted the vibrant lights of the Strip.

I sighed and wondered, "Do I have to go out in this?"

But I already knew the answer. Penny's insistence on a girls' night out had been relentless, and now I regretted ever agreeing to it. All I wanted was to stay in the safety of my tiny home, far away from clubs and Penny's attempts to set me up with her hand-picked hot men.

Yet, here I was, torn between my dread of the evening ahead and the chaos of Fiona's damn book that consumed my thoughts.

Part of me hoped Penny would cancel our plans due to the freak storm raging through the city. But as luck would have it, she seemed determined to go ahead with our outing.

So, on top of everything else, I now had to worry about someone recognizing me in public. What would I do if someone spotted me? What if it put Penny and her family in danger? Just the thought sent shivers down my spine.

I wanted to tell Penny the truth but knew it wasn't an option. Not yet.

A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I gazed at my reflection in the bathroom mirror after my shower. Without my contacts, I resembled the old Nerine Angelos, a strong and confident woman who stood up for herself and those she cherished.

But now, as Rina Leto, I was trying to blend in and remain unnoticed.

I hated this identity. It felt like a betrayal to the strong woman I once was. But to protect those I loved, nothing was too much of a sacrifice.

A sudden wave of guilt struck me as I recalled my sacrifices for their sake.

I sighed as I glanced at the microwave clock, recognizing that I had allowed my thoughts to drift away .

I turned my attention to the cell phone on the counter. I could always call Mama. After all, that's what good Greek girls did on the weekends. Plus, it would give me a valid excuse to skip the night out with Penny.

" Kóri mou !" My mother's voice echoed through the phone on the first ring.

"Yes, this is your daughter. But you have three others, so the odds are in your favor with that greeting," I said in Greek, laughing at her for answering the phone with ‘my daughter.’

The girls and I always spoke to Mama in our family’s native language. It was our way of keeping our cultural traditions alive and making her happy. She loved to say that Greeks had words for everything, which helped us understand a person's feelings and intentions. However, even in English, one word often had multiple meanings—like "light," which could refer to a candle, weight, color, or illumination.

“How are you, sweetheart?”

“I’m okay.” I wasn’t ready to spill my guts.

First, I needed some simple updates about life to ease the tension on my shoulders.

“Is it raining there?" she asked incredulously. “I checked the weather, and it said you might have storms."

"It is," I confirmed. "Strange, right? When it rains, it pours."

"I see you've talked to your sister," she mused.

"Unfortunately," I muttered under my breath before asking, "But how is everyone else doing? How are the twins?"

“Your sisters are doing well, adjusting to college life with ease. Although, I do miss having them close by. It worries me about their safety when they're so far away."

"I know," I replied, my heart heavy with concern for my younger siblings, who now lived in different cities.

It had been on my mind lately, but I hadn't found the courage to bring it up with them. They deserved this freedom, and the thought of taking it away filled me with guilt.

The concern in Mama's voice tugged at my heartstrings. As she mentioned Fiona's book, I could hear the fear and worry woven into her words. I couldn't understand how careless Fiona had been; it seemed like Mama felt the same way.

"I have no idea," I replied with a deep sigh, unable to conceal the resignation in my voice. "If only she had shared a copy with one of us before publishing it. But now, it's out in the world, and there's no way to take it back."

“So, are you saying all we can do is pray to St. Sophia and St. Joseph?” Mama asked, her faith in the saints often being her go-to solution for problems.

"No, Mama," I said firmly. "We need to stay vigilant and safe. Keep an eye on the boys, and don't let them out of your sight.”

"You know I wouldn't," she reassured me. "But I'll be praying anyway."

"Of course," I chuckled, knowing it was part of her routine. "Mama, I miss them so much it hurts." A sharp pang shot through my heart as I thought about not being able to see my boys every day. They grew so quickly at eighteen months old, and canceling my visit with them tore me apart .

No mother should be without her children, my precious terrors who gave their Yai Yai such a hard time.

"Let's switch to a video call so you can talk to them," Mama suggested.

"Yes, please," I eagerly replied as I tapped the buttons on my phone. Her face appeared on my screen within seconds. "There you are."

“ Yassou , Nerine,” she greeted me with a wave as if we hadn't been talking just moments ago.

"Hi, Mama,” I said, shaking my head.

I watched her enter her living room, and my two boys appeared. Both were sitting in their play area, happily engaged with their toys.

“Hello, my babies! I’m so happy to see you,” I exclaimed with a smile.

They both looked up, and their faces brightened at the sound of my voice, instantly melting my heart. They were the most beautiful beings in the world, and loving them was like nothing I had ever experienced. They held a special place in my heart that I didn't know was there, and I would do anything for them.

Even if my current circumstance made me feel as if I was walking through hell to protect them from harm, I wouldn’t change it. They were the priority.

The guilt weighing on my conscience from tearing our family apart destroyed parts of my soul, and the fact that they resembled their fathers added to the burden.

"Ma-ma!" Hayes mumbled excitedly, squirming in his seat .

Charis clapped his tiny hands together and reached out toward the camera, his big gray eyes shining joyfully. Tears filled my eyes at the sight of them.

I had named them after their paternal grandmothers, giving Hayes, Xander’s mother, Brenna’s maiden name, and Charis Theo's mother's maiden name.

In terms of appearance, they were a perfect blend of their parents, with Hayes inheriting all of Xander's features except for my blue eyes and Charis resembling a male version of me with Theo's striking gray irises.

"They're growing up so fast, Mama," I said, my voice shaking with emotion. "I feel so guilty for not being there with them."

"Don't you dare hold onto that guilt, Nerine," Mama gently scolded. "You're doing what you need to do to protect them. It's for the best. And I promise, I'm taking good care of them."

"I know, Mama," I sniffled. "I'm just so thankful for your help."

"They will never forget you," she assured me. "I won't let that happen. And it won't be forever. They'll be back in your arms before you know it!"

"You’ve already raised your children, and now you have to raise mine too. I'm so sorry, Mama."

"Nonsense." She waved away my apology. "This isn’t your fault. You must let go of this burden and concentrate on overcoming this tough time. Holding onto guilt won't change anything. You make it sound like you expected the kidnapping or to find out you were pregnant, especially with your unique brand of twins.”

Her words hit me like a wave, washing over me and leaving me relieved and exposed. She was right. I hadn't expected any of this. The pregnancy was a complete shock, although having twins wasn't entirely unexpected, considering it ran in my family. But what truly astonished me was that I had somehow given birth to heteropaternal superfecundation twins, siblings with different fathers.

When my doctor first revealed the truth about their parentage, I nearly fainted. I had fantasized about it as a teenager, falling in love with Xander and Theo and wishing for them to father my children. But I never imagined it could happen.

Not only had I run from the loves of my life, but I also carried within me fraternal twins, each fathered by a different man. My body took part in this rare occurrence, releasing two eggs and enabling my lovers to fertilize one.

DNA testing conducted after birth confirmed what we had suspected all along.

It took me a year and a half to come to terms with all of this, and even now, it still felt surreal. But one thing was certain: I was beyond thrilled to have sons from both Xander and Theo. It was a wild and unexpected turn of events that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

I longed for the comfort of my mother's presence. "I'm lonely, Mama," I confessed. "I want to be there with you. I want to be the one to hold my children when they cry and put them to bed." "Soon," she reassured me. "No, it isn't possible," I sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. "Not with Fiona's book out in the world." The weight of the situation settled heavily on my shoulders.

"I hoped it wouldn't come to that." I heard the disappointment in Mama's words. "But you are doing what is best for everyone. You always do, Nerine. Never doubt when I say I know you sacrifice to put the rest of us first."

"But... I don't know how to fix the mess Fiona created," I admitted. Fear gripped me as I considered the potential danger her actions could bring to my doorstep. "I'm scared."

Only with Mama could I let down my guard and show my vulnerable side. She had witnessed the horrors I’d endured and never turned away. She had stood by me, encouraging me to fight through the trauma inflicted upon me by Andraius when he forced me into marriage.

Even now, she supported me in every way possible.

"I hope it blows over soon and becomes just a passing fad, like many other things," she said, trying to offer some sense of optimism.

"So do I," I replied, wishing this nightmare would end.

"In the meantime," Mama hummed, signaling that she intended to change the subject and steer my thoughts away from wallowing in self-pity. "What are you doing to pass the time?"

I couldn't help but scoff at her question. "Umm, work. That's about it." I shrugged. "My boss, Penny, thinks I live like a hermit and invited me to go out tonight."

"What did you decide? I know you like her," Mama prodded .

"I said yes," I admitted, "but I can't shake this feeling that someone will recognize me."

"Where would you go?" she inquired.

"Dinner and then some clubs afterward," I replied reluctantly. "Honestly, it sounds awful. But turning Penny down is nearly impossible. She's so kind and genuinely wants what’s best for me. Plus, she keeps bringing up the idea of setting me up with someone, which is the last thing I need right now."

"It might do you some good to meet a nice man," Mama suggested, her tone gentle and understanding.

"Really?" I couldn't hide my annoyance. "Did you forget that I have two baby daddies? The thought of anyone touching me besides Xander or Theo is repulsive."

Mama paused momentarily before replying softly, "I never forget things, especially with my wonderful grandsons nearby. But I want you to enjoy yourself and relieve the stress on your mind. It's important to take care of yourself, Nerine. You've been through a lot."

Her words made me pause as I realized she was right. "Thank you for saying that, Mama. I needed to hear it."

"The issues with Fiona's book aren't yours to bear alone. We have resources. Use them."

It was time to call in Devani. She had caused this mess, and she could help solve it.

"I will, Mama," I promised, a sense of relief washing over me. "So, I've decided something."

She hummed in response, encouraging me to continue. "Let me hear it. "

“Instead of going out tonight, I’m going to have an at-home self-care spa night with all my favorite products, order some delicious food, and enjoy a bottle of wine while watching a romantic comedy.”

“No men on that list. I hear you loud and clear,” Mama chuckled.

I couldn't help but laugh along with her, feeling lighter and more at ease.

"I love you, Mama. You always know how to make me feel better.”

"I love you too, sweetheart,” she beamed through the screen.

"Give the boys a kiss for me, okay?" I asked with a gentle smile.

"Of course," Mama said before we exchanged our goodbyes and ended the video call.

I sank into the plush cushions of my couch, releasing a deep sigh. After sending a quick text to Penny, I canceled our plans for the evening. I could already picture her teasing remarks when we spoke next, but that was a concern for another day.

Feeling relieved and free, I ordered from my favorite Greek restaurant in the hotel. As a proud Greek girl, knowing that the property owners shared my heritage and understood the nuances of our culture's cuisine was comforting. Finding authentic Greek food was rare, but the Lykaioses had perfected it.

Slipping into my coziest nightgown and fluffy robe, I sank onto the couch with a glass of pinot noir and switched on the television. In the haven of my apartment, I didn't have to worry about being recognized or judged. My mind was racing with thoughts and worries, but at least I could unwind and feel comfortable in my skin.

Just as I finished preparing my bathroom for a luxurious spa session, there was a heavy knock on my door, causing me to frown. A moment later, the doorbell rang. Why couldn't they use that instead of pounding on the door and disturbing the neighbors?

For a split second, panic coursed through me until I glanced at the clock and remembered it was dinner time. I had completely forgotten about it in my rush to unwind and take care of myself.

Taking a deep breath, I approached the door. A tingling sensation spread up my neck, causing me to pause. Then, I noticed that the air in the hallway was unusually still and silent.

My pulse quickened as my fingers hesitated on the lock. A cold chill ran down my spine, my throat went dry, and fear gripped me.

There was no point in looking through the peephole.

They had found me.

But instead of staying safe inside and using logic to protect myself, I turned the latch and swung open the door, freezing in my tracks.

They were here.

Xander stood in the doorway like a tempest, his imposing figure dominating the small space.

His dark eyes pierced through mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. He wore a sharp, predatory smile, making my heart race and my knees weaken.

Behind him, Theo stood like a menacing shadow, his steel-gray eyes penetrating me with chilling precision. The tension radiating from him struck me like a wave, suffocating and electrifying.

“Hello, Angel,” Xander growled, his voice deep and seething with malice. He lifted a bag with the food I’d ordered. “We brought you dinner.”

My throat tightened as unwelcome and overwhelming memories flooded back. The sound of their voices, the touch of their hands, the way they had consumed me, body and soul. The name Angel, carved into my heart by their lips, now cut through me like a sharp blade.

“You shouldn't be here,” I managed to say, though my words trembled as much as my knees.

Xander's smile widened, his dark eyes glinting with something unsettling. “Funny. I was just about to say the same thing.”

Before I could react, he pushed past me with enough force to make me stumble. Heat rolled off him in powerful waves, searing through the thin fabric of my robe and sending an unwelcome jolt straight through me. I turned, stunned, as he strode into my apartment as if he owned the place, his sharp gaze scanning every corner.

Theo walked behind him, quieter yet just as intimidating. He closed the door with a purposeful click and locked it, sending a shiver down my spine.

I was trapped. Completely trapped .

“What are you doing here?” I demanded, attempting to summon some semblance of strength in my voice. Yet, it came out thin and breathless, and I loathed myself for it.

“What do you think?” Xander snapped as he turned to face me.

Fury blazed in his eyes like a wildfire. Still, I could sense something else lurking beneath it—something darker and more unsettling. It twisted my stomach and quickened my pulse.

He dropped the takeout bag to the ground and gestured around the room, his lip curling in disgust. “This? This is where you’ve been? Living it up while we’ve been tearing the world apart for you?”

“I’m not living it up,” I shot back, though my voice lacked the intensity I desired. “And I didn’t ask you to?—”

“No.” Theo's voice sliced through the air like a sharp blade, cold and unyielding. “You didn’t ask us. You just vanished. You made us think—” He paused, his jaw tightening as he stepped closer to me. “You made us think you were dead.”

“I had no choice,” I whispered, instinctively retreating. But there was no escaping them.

Xander moved in on one side of me. At the same time, Theo positioned himself on the other, trapping me between their imposing figures.

“No choice?” Xander snarled, his voice dripping with venom. “Bullshit.”

Before I could respond, his hand shot out and gripped my jaw tightly enough to make me gasp. His calloused fingers pressed into my skin, holding me firm as his dark eyes penetrated mine.

“You think you can just vanish? Leave us to suffer while you play house?” His voice was low and menacing. He tightened his grip, and a sharp jolt of pain caused my breath to hitch. “Do you have any idea what we’ve been through? What I’ve done for you?”

I attempted to pull away, but his hold was intense. His thumb grazed the edge of my bottom lip, sending a rush of heat through my body. I loathed how my body betrayed me, responding to a touch I should have feared.

“I—” The words caught in my throat as Theo's hands came to rest heavily on my shoulders from behind.

His breath was warm against my ear, his voice low and threatening. “You don’t get to run, Nerine. Not from us.”

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