Sin and Deception (Sin and Lies #2)

Chapter 18

Eighteen

X ANDER

After learning about Theia Delia’s surprising skills with blades, Nerine, Theo, and I flooded Agent Davenport with questions about Fiona’s kidnapping.

“What about my other sisters?” Nerine asked. “Christina and Ariana?”

“They’re safe, as far as we know. We have a team keeping a close watch on them."

“How did they manage to take Fiona?” Theo asked.

“We have people looking into how her location was compromised."

“Fiona should have had a personal security team,” I said, barely concealing my anger at their incompetence. “Where the fuck were they?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Nerine said. “Someone assisted the Aetos family in coordinating this from the inside. It’s the only way the cameras I set up at her place stopped working, just like they did at Mama’s.”

Nerine picked up one of the boys and effortlessly settled him on her hip. He immediately snuggled into her neck, and she stroked his back.

Fucking hell. I had to focus on the issues and ensure we covered every base. However, the two boys before me were the only things on my mind. Their love for and bond with Nerine was clearly evident.

The desperate urge to reach out and stroke their cheeks pushed at me.

The other little one clung to Nerine’s leg. Sensing my interest, he turned and stared wide-eyed at Theo and me, a crease forming between his brows. Then, the toddler in Nerine’s arms redirected his attention to us.

God, they looked so much like us. They were perfect replicas of the three of us.

We were giants compared to them. Yet, despite the tense, chaotic energy surrounding them, neither seemed the least scared.

It was Nerine’s presence, I realized. With her, they felt safe and secure. Accomplishing such a feat within the confines of our world was astounding.

The two of them glanced at each other and then back to Theo and me as if they were trying to figure something out.

They were so fucking beautiful. My heart cracked wide open just seeing them. I wanted to gather them both in my arms but knew it would frighten them. So, I resisted that urge and allowed these feelings I never expected to fill my heart.

I couldn’t help but smile when the boys mimicked how my head tilted as if it were a game.

The next thing I heard was Nerine's command. “I need everyone out. Please exit the plane. Now.”

“Ms. Angelos, we have transportation waiting for you outside. Our instructions are to take you and your family to the designated safe house outside Phoenix. From there, we will coordinate the next phase of the plan.”

“Excellent, thank you,” Nerine said with an air of authority, disregarding their plans. “We will be down in a few moments. Mama, please go with these men, and the boys and I will join you shortly.”

“Okay, honey,” Theia Delia said with an understanding smile. The plane cleared, leaving only the five of us on board alone.

Nerine sat the little one on the floor beside his brother and kneeled by them. “Boys, I want you two to meet some important people.”

They looked up at us curiously, intently.

My heart skipped a beat as I drank them in without the chaos of the others surrounding us. Theo inhaled deeply, and I knew he was as overwhelmed with emotion as I was.

“Do you recognize them?” Nerine asked, her voice so soft it could have been a whisper. “I showed you pictures of them. They are your Papas.”

They each nodded as the crease between their brows returned. It reminded me so much of Nerine when she concentrated.

They were so fucking beautiful.

“Theo, this is Charis,” Nerine said, gently pushing the boy toward us.

Theo gasped at hearing the boy’s name, his mother’s maiden name.

“Xander, this is Hayes.”

My eyes widened as I realized what she’d done. She’d honored our mothers by giving the boys our mothers’ maiden names.

She couldn’t understand how much it meant to me, and I loved her for it. Tears burned the backs of my eyes, but this was no time for crying.

Hayes gave me the same curious inspection as before.

“Hey there,” I said in a gentle tone. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Theo knelt beside us, watching the boys carefully.

“Hi.” Theo gingerly reached out his hand.

Hayes looked over at him, studying Theo’s palm, and then stepped toward him, throwing his arms around Theo’s neck. Theo’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Hayes looks like you, Xander, but his personality is a lot like yours, Theo,” Nerine spoke softly. “I’m not surprised he’s gravitating toward you. ”

Theo wrapped his arms around Hayes and held him close.

Charis turned to me, flashed me a grin, and then giggled, “Papa!”

He raised his arms and waited for me to lift him. The complete, unguarded acceptance sent a bolt of lightning straight to my heart. Unable to control my overflowing emotions further, I hugged him tightly.

He was so little. His tiny body so fragile.

“Yes, I’m your Papa,” I said, thick with emotion.

I looked up at Nerine over his shoulder and saw her eyes shining with tears.

“Thank you,” I mouthed to her silently.

She nodded in understanding and gave us a few moments to embrace, watching from a short distance away. After a moment, the boys pulled back, and Theo and I switched places, embracing our other son with just as much emotion.

“We should talk,” Nerine interjected, breaking the spell of the intimate moment. “We don’t have much time.”

Theo and I agreed and sat down while our sons played quietly at our feet.

“Do you see why I needed to keep them out of sight? They look just like the two of you.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “There’s no denying whose children they are.”

“I hate that we have to hide them,” Nerine admitted. “But their safety comes first.”

“You’re right,” I agreed. “The world needs to see what our love created. But not yet. I never want them to believe we hid them because we didn’t love them.”

“They know that they’re loved,” Nerine said. “Hiding them isn’t doing them any harm right now.”

“But we can’t hide them forever,” Theo insisted. “Eventually, that will be impossible.”

“I know,” Nerine said. “Nothing can change until we have our rival families under control and Fiona back, safe and sound. I’m so worried about her. The Aetos family is ruthless. I’m worried what they might be doing to her.”

“We’ll find her,” Theo insisted, reaching over and grabbing her hand.

He leaned into her, comforting her. My head spun as I tried to figure out our next move. Hayes and Charis stopped playing to watch Theo comfort their mama.

“You two need to get married.”

Their heads snapped up, and they both frowned and thought I’d lost my mind.

“Immediately,” I insisted.

“Are you serious, Xander?” Nerine asked. “That’s the last thing on the agenda right now.”

“No, it’s not. It’s preemptive.”

Nerine scowled. “Explain before our sons see a violent side of their mother.”

“I have a feeling they inherited some of that temper,” Theo interjected. “Xander, straighten this out. I’m not following this logic either.”

“Pause for a second and think. If the two of you marry, then it will avoid another Andraius situation. No one can force Nerine to marry anyone.”

“I see your point.” She nodded. “Except you forget one thing.”

I leaned forward. “That is?”

“I will never allow anyone to put me in that situation again," she glared at me, fire blazing in her cobalt irises. Nobody, and I mean nobody, will ever force me into a situation like that again. I will fight until my last breath. I made a vow to myself, and I will keep it.”

The impact of her words washed over me as if it were a physical bomb of energy.

She was my warrior queen who’d survived hell and back and refused to allow anyone to destroy her.

I nodded and said, “I’m suggesting it for other reasons, too.”

“Like what?” She asked.

“Well, for starters, it’ll keep him from ever contemplating that running is an option,” I said, jutting my chin toward Theo.

Instantly, anger flared in his eyes. But then Hayes tugged on his pant leg and crawled into his lap, melting away his fury. I couldn’t help but smirk. No. Theo wasn’t going anywhere.

“Theo, you might as well change your name to Angelos. That way, you’ll match with the boys.” I smirked and then thought about my suggestion.

It wasn’t a bad idea. Theo hated his name and everything it stood for. He was the last of his line, and our sons were the heirs to the Angelos Syndicate.

I was a fucking genius.

Theo squinted, looking at me as if he planned to clock me. However, Hayes kept him from following through, grabbed a few strands of Theo’s beard, and pulled.

“Ow!” Theo cried out, laughing and untangling his fingers.

Hayes laughed and clapped his hands. He was definitely my kid. He liked to fuck with Theo as much as I did.

“I suppose you’re right, Xander,” Theo replied. “I don’t have much attachment to my family name anyway. Why the fuck would I keep Nephus when all it means is death and destruction?”

“I can’t believe the two of you.” Nerine shook her head. “Men.”

“What?” I asked.

“It’s quite egotistical to plan our futures without asking for my input,” she sighed. “Ask me, and I might say yes. Tell me, and it’s a definite no.”

Completely ignoring anything Nerine said, Theo suggested, “You should change your name too, Xander.”

“Might as well,” I agreed with a careless shrug.

My parents' faces flashed in my mind. They had always wanted me to carry on the family name, hoping for many generations to come. Still, I knew they would understand if I changed it to reflect my growing family.

“I swear the two of you are complete jerks. ”

“We are stating obvious facts about things that need to happen,” I explained.

“I see…” She shrugged. “Well, let me give you a fact. I’m not marrying anyone who doesn’t propose to me first.”

“Propose?” Theo asked, his eyes widening.

I couldn't help but laugh at their exchange. Naturally, our angel would want things done in a precise order.

“It’s a done deal, Nerine,” Theo said.

And Theo’s typical reaction was to push back.

“No, it isn’t!” she insisted.

I smirked and sat back to watch the entertaining back-and-forth typical of Nerine and Theo's foreplay.

“Stop acting like this is some big revelation. Your mother made this decision, and you went along with it,” Theo said. “I’m not going to ask for your hand in marriage when we were already engaged. You’re mine, Angel. Nothing will ever change that.”

Her eyes widened, and a fire burned in her cobalt gaze. After all, she was the Godmother of the Angelos Mafia. No one instructed a queen on how to manage her affairs or business.

She leaned forward, a crease between her brows. “I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with! I’m?—”

Before she could proceed, Agent Davenport stepped back onto the plane with several team members trailing behind her.

“Excuse me, Ms. Angelos? I’m sorry to interrupt, but we need to move—right now. We have information about a possible location for Fiona. ”

“You have?” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet with us following suit.

“Yes, ma’am,” she replied. “Your car is waiting.”

Theo and I scooped up the boys, and Nerine grabbed her things.

“Let’s go,” I said, and we all headed for the exit, our little family completely intact, safely together, and well on its way to becoming a bonded unit.