Sin and Deception (Sin and Lies #2)

Chapter 22

Twenty-Two

N ERINE

I waited, allowing my words to sink in, knowing an explosion was imminent, considering the gravity of the situation.

“Nerine. Are you freaking kidding me?” Xander exclaimed, his voice rising in alarm and disbelief, his eyes wide with shock. “You can’t be serious.”

“You won’t do that. Tell me I heard it wrong.” Theo stared at me as if he was seeing someone he never met before. “All of who?”

I lifted my chin, “All of their children.”

They both shook their heads, their skepticism rolling off them in waves.

“No, I refuse to believe you would do something like this.” Theo gripped the back of his neck.

Xander walked toward me but suddenly halted, staring with eyes filled with horror and confusion.

I hated the way they looked at me. Hopefully, once I explained my reasons, they would accept them. My plan was cold, calculating, and cruel. There was no denying that. But this was the only way to make a powerful statement and push our enemies into submission.

“We need to hear every single detail of your plan, Angel,” Xander growled, struggling to maintain his composure but failing. “You might as well have detonated a bomb.”

“Why do you think I brought you in here?" I gestured to the library surrounding us.

“No, you’re not doing it!” Xander roared, unable to contain his anger any longer.

I narrowed my gaze but maintained my calm. “It’s already in motion.”

“What the fuck do you mean it is in motion?” Xander asked, anger burning in every word.

There was no trace of the patience he typically showed toward me. That part of Xander was completely absent.

I anticipated this reaction from Theo, not from Xander. My relationship with Theo was explosive and volatile, while with Xander, it was gentle and calm. However, it seems that the roles have reversed.

“Exactly what I said, Xander.” I held his furious, dark stare.

Theo approached me. “Let me guess, Devani is involved in this. Taking children is right up her alley. And if one dies, that’s just collateral damage.”

“That’s right,” I confirmed, staying composed despite their explosive reactions and my irritation that they could think I had become a ruthless child killer.

Dumbasses.

I wasn’t a heartless killer and would never stoop to such lows. However, that didn't mean I wouldn't use children as leverage if necessary. It was all part of the game.

Locking eyes with them defiantly, I said, “With Devani’s help and a few personal connections, I’ve gathered a reliable team from the Drakos and Mykos conglomerates. They are quietly accumulating assets from the families we intend to target.”

“Assets?” Xander repeated in disbelief, his eyes widening even further. “You mean their children?”

“Yes,” I replied with a nonchalant shrug. “But discreetly, of course. Most of these families rarely pay attention to their children anyway. They're typically sent off to some boarding school or left in the care of nannies. This way, they won't suspect our true intentions until it's too late.”

“Nerine, how could you implement such an extreme plan without consulting us first?” Theo asked, becoming increasingly frustrated. "This is incredibly dangerous.”

Xander's expression turned from shock to anger.

“This is not a good plan at all, Angel,” he fumed. “You should have thought this through more carefully before taking action.”

“Oh? Are we arguing about who’s in charge again?” I shot back, my patience wearing thin as their criticism persisted.

“That's not what we meant!” Theo protested, his dark eyes flashing with frustration and anger.

“I’m not questioning your authority!” Xander added quickly.

“No?” I challenged, raising an eyebrow sarcastically. “Just my judgment then?”

Xander released an exasperated growl and turned away as Theo approached to confront me.

“We all share the same goal here, Angel. We want to keep our boys safe. But this is an incredibly risky plan you're suggesting," he said, his voice filled with concern.

“It's more than a proposal,” I reminded them firmly. “It's already in motion.”

“Goddammit!” Xander exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I was over this anger. I wasn’t their subordinate. I was the fucking Angelos.

I stayed quiet, trying to calm my temper, especially as the tension in the room felt thick and suffocating around us.

Once I gathered my sanity enough not to throw a knife at one of them, I said, "I would never harm innocent children. You know this."

"What game are you playing, Nerine? Don’t you trust us?" Xander asked, his words filled with disappointment. "Is that the issue? Is that why you've withheld so much from us after all this time?"

My blood boiled at his accusations .

Theo chimed in, his voice filled with frustration. "Is this how you want things to be now?"

"Now you're not even listening," I said, my voice rising in anger.

"Learning about it after the fact is insulting," Theo agreed. “Why don’t you trust us?”

"Of course, I trust you!" I insisted, keeping my voice steady and calm despite my raging emotions. "Why do you think I'm telling you this now?"

"You should have told us sooner!" Theo shouted.

His face was flushed red, his eyes small and unyielding. His fists clenched at his sides as he paced back and forth in front of me.

His unreasonable behavior only intensified my anger. How dare he question me like this?

"You question my authority?" I shouted, getting right in his face. "Have you forgotten who I am, Theo?"

We stood facing each other, our noses inches apart, our breaths warm against each other’s skin. Theo’s dark eyes blazed with fierce anger, and for a moment, I felt a familiar fire ignite deep in my belly.

"As if that's even a possibility," Theo sneered. "You never let us forget for a second, do you?"

Anger pulsed between us, the tension thick and palpable. Xander stood by, undoubtedly ready to step in if things escalated. At least, he chose to revert to his usual role of peacemaker between Theo and me.

"Tell me," I asked, lowering my voice to a dangerous whisper. "Would you question my father's judgment the same way you're questioning mine? Would you expect him to consult his subordinates before making a decision?"

Theo's eyes widened with frustration. “It’s not the same thing.”

"It's the same thing," I pressed, waiting expectantly with a raised brow. "Tell me how it isn't."

He didn't respond.

"Since Theo has no answer, maybe you can respond for him, Xander." I pressed on, waiting expectantly with a raised eyebrow.

There was no response from Xander either.

At that moment, we all knew I was right. Whether they appreciated the reminder or not, I was still speaking the truth.

"You wanted me in this role. Now I'm doing my job," I explained, my voice rising. "I'm protecting my people. To do that, I must display my power and claim it as my own. The other families need to see this and understand that I am in charge. When I left, everything I gained disappeared! This time, it will only be worse."

"We're not questioning that!" Xander insisted.

"No, you just want me to run everything by you first, and why?" I shot my words out like sharp daggers, fueled by the anger and frustration boiling inside me. "Because you don't trust me to make smart decisions? Do you think I don't see the seriousness of my role? I know exactly who I am. Even in my darkest moments, I've never forgotten when I wished to be anyone but myself. For years, I prayed to wake up in someone else's body. But not anymore! "

My voice rose to a roar as I stood before them, my chest heaving with emotion. "Now, I stand proud before you, the Godmother of the Night, Queen of the Angelos family. It would be wise for both of you to remember that."

"As we mentioned earlier, we could never forget either," Theo's gentle words acted as a soothing balm on my simmering anger, immediately easing the tension in the room. “You mean everything to us.”

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, feeling the fire within me fade. Theo and Xander may not always see eye to eye with me or understand my decisions, but their trust in me was all that mattered. We were a team bound by blood and purpose. Together, we could face anything that came our way.

I loved these men with every fiber of my being.

We were meant to present a united front, working together as a team. Perhaps my men were correct that I should have consulted them, but I was trying to make things right at that moment. Time was of the essence.

“Theo,” I turned to him, my eyes softening as I spoke. “I am so grateful for your unwavering loyalty and service to my family while I was away. I know it wasn’t easy. And while I value your advice, there are times when I must follow my instincts. When I am certain about a path, you both need to trust that it is the right decision for our family.”

“I thought we were equals,” Theo interjected, his hurt lingering in his tone.

Heat radiated off his body, and despite our current disagreement, I couldn't help but admire his powerful form .

“I am the one ultimately in charge,” I stated firmly. It was time for them to accept that.

My tone might have been harsh, but I needed to get through to them once and for all. I stood tall with my arms crossed over my chest.

That’s when Xander stepped closer, encroaching on my personal space from the other side. His dark eyes locked onto mine as he challenged me.

“I am the boss,” I insisted, forcing myself not to reveal any signs of fear.

We all knew they were physically stronger than I was and could overpower me if they wanted to. But deep down, I was certain that wouldn't happen because we were a team.

But leave it to them to always take things personally.

I couldn't help but think it was a man thing. They always seemed to need to assert their dominance, especially in front of a strong woman. It was frustrating.

Xander’s eyes roamed over my body. When they met mine again, a hint of desire mixed in with his remaining upset. My body responded immediately, my core pulsing with need as I fought to keep my composure.

“Look at you, Angel,” he crooned. “Taking charge and standing firm in your 'take no prisoners' attitude, ready to bulldoze through the world without looking back.”

He meant for his words to provoke me, but I refused to give him the satisfaction.

“You can mock me all you want, Xander, but that doesn't change the truth. ”

“We would never mock you,” Theo said, his energy matching Xander's now. “We’re only stating facts.”

They were ganging up on me, communicating silently with each other, but I refused to let them intimidate me.

I lifted my chin. “Is that so?”

“You’ve changed, haven’t you, Nerine?” Theo asked, his sharp gaze darting down to my exposed cleavage and then back up. He cocked his head to the side, analyzing me with a hunger that made my skin tingle. “Not just your full breasts you keep displaying. Or that curvy ass you keep sashaying around us seductively. But motherhood. It changed you in deeper ways, didn’t it?”

He pushed a strand of hair away from my face, his fingers brushing my cheek and sending a shiver down my spine. I tried to resist their allure, but it felt almost impossible. My body fought against me every second of the way.

“You’re stronger. More determined. More serious now,” Xander added, stepping forward with an air of authority.

“Perhaps,” I admitted, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “But that doesn’t —”

“You want to seem more assertive. Is that right?” Theo interrupted me with a crooked smile as he closed the distance between us.

“Like I said, I’m in charge now.”

“Of the Angelos estate? Of the Angelos fortune? Of the fate of the Angelos name?” Theo said, shrugging nonchalantly. “Sure.”

“We’re not questioning that, are we, Theo?” Xander interjected without even glancing at him .

Theo shook his head slowly, and together, they approached me with a sexy, sultry confidence.

I swallowed hard at the sight of the raw, savage hunger gleaming in their eyes.

Taking a step back, I found myself cornered against my mother’s heavy wooden desk. It was her favorite piece—a seventeenth-century antique with intricately carved legs and corners, passed down through our family for generations. With my back pressed against it, I felt them closing in on me.

“No, we’re not questioning that at all,” Theo replied, his voice low and seductive, his intense gaze burning into mine. “But I believe it’s important to clarify who is in charge when it comes to our relationship, Angel.”

He reached up, cupping my chin and forcing me to meet his heated gaze.

“Surely, you haven’t forgotten that, Nerine?” Theo growled.

The bastards.

Rage and lust battled within me. Theo and Xander knew precisely how to provoke my feelings buttons. How to make my insides melt. But I wasn’t ready to give up that easily. I’d battle them every step of the way, if necessary.

“Our relationship is not relevant right now.”

My words were a dare that hung between us, taunting them. The truth was that even in our most vulnerable, primal moments, no matter how much dominance they chose to display, we all knew I was still in charge. With just one word, I could shut the whole thing down .

But that didn’t mean we didn’t enjoy playing the game from time to time.

“Now that we know Fiona is safe and we’re not in a rush to find her, maybe we should show you who’s in charge here. Unless you need some convincing first?” Xander spoke with a hint of menace in his tone.

His words hung heavily in the air between us.

“This isn’t a game,” I insisted. “I mean what I said. I’m the?—”

Xander scoffed, his eyes flashing with wicked intent. “You don’t quit, do you?”

“About my family? No. Never.”

He reached out and grabbed my wrist, his fingers encircling it tightly.

“Careful,” he warned, his voice dropping to a low, rough tone.

“Or what?” I snapped, trying to pull my hand away, but his grip was unyielding.

I knew where he intended to take this. It always ended up being the same place—all three of us stripped bare, taking our frustrations out on each other.

But right now, I wanted them to take me seriously. I was tired of having to prove myself to everyone, especially them.

“This isn’t happening!” I shouted.

Rage pulsed through my veins, desperate to escape the trap they had set for me. Drawing on the training I had received from Devani, I twisted my arm in the opposite direction, fighting against his grip until I forced him to release me. I pushed them away with all my strength and jumped back against the door.

But before I could escape, Theo's hand shot out and grabbed my bicep, spinning me around to face him once more. My heart pounded as his lips crashed against mine, fierce and relentless. Suddenly, Xander's body pressed against my back, his mouth exploring the nape of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

I cried out in protest, struggling to push them away once more. But their touch ignited a fire within me that I couldn't resist, even though my mind screamed for me to. Xander's fingers found my nipple, expertly pinching it and causing another cry to escape from my lips.

Driven by anger and desire, I broke free from their hold and turned to confront them.

"No!" I exclaimed, resolute in my decision to defend myself. "If you can't acknowledge my strength, I won't offer you my body!"

"Angel," Xander growled possessively. "We've known about your power since we were kids."

"But here, when we’re alone," Theo added, "you belong to us. Don't forget that."

Despite their words, fear still churned inside me.

But as I lifted my chin defiantly, I felt a spark of desire ignite again.

"I'm the boss," I declared boldly, though the strength in my voice wavered.

Theo said softly, “You are our leader.”

"The one in charge," Xander whispered with reverence .

They reduced the distance between us until I found myself pressed against the desk once more. My heart raced as I stood before them, looking up into their eyes, searching for any sign of acceptance, understanding, or respect.

Was this it? Had they finally accepted my power and comprehended who I was? Or were they using their typical hypnotic magic to undermine my resolve?

Xander's hand pushed my blazer aside, sliding it down my arms before carelessly tossing it onto the floor behind the desk. As he did this, my once-strong determination crumbled beneath his touch.

Theo's hands were now at the hem of my camisole, slowly peeling it off my body and flinging it behind him. Xander took hold of my hips and turned me around as he unzipped my skirt, and then four eager hands slid it down over my thighs.

Turning back to face them, I stepped out of my skirt and stood before them in nothing but my black lace bra and panties. The French lace stockings, held up by a matching garter belt and stiletto heels, completed the seductive ensemble.

Their hungry eyes scanned every inch of me, sparking a fire within them that radiated warmth against my bare skin.

Theo leaned in close on my right side, his warm breath brushing against my ear as he whispered words that sent shivers down my spine.

“Yes, we know who you are, my love,” Theo's voice was low and seductive as he spoke to me. “But here, behind closed doors with us? Don’t deceive yourself. ”

I gasped and turned my head to face him, but he captured my mouth in a searing kiss before Xander's fingers grazed my chin. He pulled me away from Theo's embrace, his intense gaze holding me captive.

“You know he’s right,” his words dripped with a dangerous edge. “Once the public’s eyes are no longer on us, the power dynamic shifts. You may rule your soldiers, but you’ll never truly control us. Don’t even think about pretending otherwise.”

He threaded his fingers through my hair and tugged my head back. Instantly, a surge of desire shot through me.

Theo's hand slid between my legs, his palm pressing firmly against the thin lace covering my soaked center. I shuddered at the heat radiating from his touch.

“Already wet for us, aren't you?” He chuckled darkly. “See? You are ours. This sweet pussy? It knows that it belongs to us.”

Xander's other hand cupped my left breast, squeezing and teasing my nipple through the fabric of my bra. “And this body? It’s ours,” he sneered.

My breath caught in my throat as their words echoed in my mind. I wanted to resist them. I tried to maintain control and tell them that their manipulative tactics wouldn't work on me, but deep down, I knew they were right.

They knew exactly how to push my buttons.

They knew how to make me submit to their desires.

And most importantly, they were right about what went on behind closed doors. Although I might have ultimately been in control, and they would never take me without my consent, they had a way of coaxing my deepest and most uncontrollable desires out of me. They did this effortlessly, time and time again, by tapping into the intense love and passion that burned between us like a blazing wildfire, impossible to extinguish.

“Your soul, Nerine,” Theo's voice was a low, seductive hiss in my ear.

Xander's lips brushed against my other ear. “Ours.”

My body responded, fire igniting deep inside, my pussy quivering and flooding with desire.

I matched their intense passion with an insatiable hunger, lifting my chin defiantly. I surrendered to the primal urges within me, yearning for their touch and their dominance over me.

"Claim me then," I demanded. "Take me."

Theo's eyes darkened with desire, and Xander released a low, dangerous growl.

They descended upon me like wolves pouncing on their prey, pushing me back onto the top of the desk. Their hands gripped my thighs, spreading them open and exposing me completely to them. With my legs splayed before them, they gazed down at me with heated intensity in their stormy eyes.

"Say it," Theo demanded, his hand landing on my pussy once again.

"Yes, Angel," Xander urged, his hand sliding up my thigh. "Let us hear you say it."

I hesitated for a moment before responding. "What does it matter what I say?"

"It matters because we said so," Theo replied firmly.

"Have you forgotten who you belong to?” Xander asked, his fingers tightening around my throat. “Do as we tell you, Angel."

"Make me," I challenged, locking eyes with Xander. "Prove I'm yours. As I said, claim me if I really belong to you."

"Why are you so fucking difficult?" Xander growled before claiming my lips in a fierce kiss.

His tongue intertwined with mine, and his fingertips pressed possessively into my neck. He pulled away briefly, only to be replaced by Theo, who kissed me just as passionately.

When Theo stepped away, he left me breathless and craving more. Xander reached for the sides of my panties.

I lifted my hips to help him slide them off, but he had other plans. With a swift tug, the lace fabric ripped away from my body, leaving me exposed between my stockings-clad thighs.

"You're the sexiest, most stubborn woman in the world," Xander growled, his eyes raking over my naked form.

Theo unclasped my bra skillfully and pushed the straps from my shoulders. My breasts spilled out into his palms. He squeezed and pinched the tips. The pleasure-filled pain was so delicious I couldn’t help but arch into his touch.

I gazed at my two beautiful lovers, the veil of anger lifting. The relentless resistance and stubbornness that typically coursed through my veins now felt harmless and weak.

Bare, vulnerable, and naked in front of them, my soul exposed as much as my body .

I met their gaze and slowly opened my legs wider, welcoming them into me eagerly.

I wanted them to know I needed them as much as they needed me.

The truth between us was undeniable now. We all belonged to each other equally. But as soon as the fabric separating our flesh fell away, my body belonged to them completely.

Xander shed his clothes quickly, and in seconds, his magnificent cock bobbed, throbbing and ready between us. My pussy clenched at the sight, the memory of the pleasure that beautiful cock could give me, leaving me quivering with anticipation.

“I need you now, Angel,” he growled, grabbing my hips and shoving his cock in deep and hard and fast. I cried out as he slid inside of me easily, my arousal leaving me soaking and quivering at his sudden piercing.

He stared down at me, his gaze shadowed with fierce passion.

“You’re mine, Nerine,” he demanded. “Mine and Theo’s. Don’t you ever forget that. Do you want us to claim you, Vixen? You want to be fucked so hard you’ll never forget for a second that your body, your pussy, your entire being belongs to us?”

I laid back on the desk, submitting shamelessly and spreading my thighs as wide as possible as he slammed into me, over and over, the strength of his thrusts increasing with each and every slide.

“You’re mine, Angel!” He growled, fucking me so hard he was pushing me across the top of the desk until I was writhing beneath him, gasping and panting for breath, pleasure rolling through my head and down my chest and into my belly until crescendoing deep in my pussy, until I was crying out uncontrollably.

He hammered into my pussy, never stopping for a second through my orgasm, my pussy spasming feverishly around his hardness.

“Take my cock, Angel,” he said, pressing in deeper. “Take it all.”

I wasn’t sure I could, my pussy was gripping him so tightly, but he pressed in further, his shaft inching even deeper into me, driving my need higher and higher.

“More, please more,” I begged him for his cock like I was starving for it.

My orgasm rushed up on me, taking my breath away. It was like a switch went off in my body, and I craved even more and needed his cock deeper and harder.

My head fell back, and I closed my eyes, losing myself in the feeling of being so thoroughly and deeply fucked, relishing in the intense pounding Xander was raging upon my pussy.

“Open up, Angel,” Theo’s voice broke through the trance.

My eyes fluttered open to find his beautiful, throbbing shaft in my face, Theo’s fingers wrapped around the base, his rugged face staring down at me as he brought it toward my lips.

With a slow, sensual smile, I licked my lips, then opened my mouth to let him slide his thick, hard length inside. Velvety and smooth, he pulsed hotly against my tongue. The sound of his moans ricocheted through me like a shock of electric desire as he pushed deeper into my mouth.

Xander continued to roughly pierce my pussy, his cock pistoning in and out of me mercilessly.

“Fuck, that’s sexy to watch,” Xander growled, his eyes glued on Theo sliding in and out of my mouth. My pussy gripped his cock tighter at the sound of his sexy words, and his hard shaft swelled in response. I lost myself in the pleasure of being fucked by Xander and Theo, unable to think of anything else but the intense pounding and ecstasy they provided.

Xander's hips moved in a primal rhythm, his cock thrusting into me with unrelenting force. I moaned and writhed beneath him, my body consumed by the raw pleasure he was giving me. With each powerful stroke, my pussy tightened around him, desperate to cling to this feeling forever.

Theo's fingers tangled in my hair, guiding me as he pounded my mouth with abandon. He gripped the back of Xander’s head, pulling him in his direction. Their mouths collided in a primal kiss, which drove my need higher and higher.

I sucked harder, and Theo let out a guttural cry of pleasure against Xander’s lips that sent shivers down my spine.

My gaze then drifted over to Xander, his hips rolling in a sensual motion as he took me to new heights of ecstasy. His fingers dug into my skin, marking me as his as I surrendered completely to their touch.

I lay back and let them have their way with me, giving in to the vulnerability and submission that came with being their lover. Their primal passion consumed me, exploding through all my senses and taking me on a journey of pure physical bliss.

They were my beautiful men,

My gorgeous lovers,

The fathers of my children.

And as they used my body for their savage pleasure, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love and desire for them.

They broke apart as the ride to climax neared. The intensity of their thrust grew relentless. They came mere seconds apart. I took everything Theo had to give as Xander poured himself inside me.

Xander barely circled my clit, and my pussy clamped down on his still hard cock. Waves of intense sensations cascaded through me, leaving me quaking and weak in their embrace. My moans mingled with theirs as we rode out the ecstasy together, our bodies intertwined and pulsing with passion.

After we caught our breaths, they carried me to the couch, knowing that my legs were too weak to support me. We lay there, skin glistening with sweat and hearts full of love, basking in the aftermath of our shared pleasure.

But it wasn't long before their hands roamed over my body again, rekindling the desire that had barely ebbed. And as we lay there tangled up together, I knew deep down that this was where I belonged— with these incredible men who loved me fiercely.

"I love you both," I whispered, my heart overflowing with emotion.

Theo kissed my neck and whispered, "We love you too, Angel."

Xander tightened his embrace and nodded in agreement. "We do love you. More than words can express."

They were right. Our connection ran so deep that even I couldn't deny it. We were destined to be together.

"And no more secrets," Xander added sternly. "We're a team now."

I nodded in agreement, willing to promise them anything at that moment. Our bond was unbreakable, and we were stronger together.

"And now that that's settled," Xander growled playfully. "It's about time you two got married."

His words lingered in the air, heavy with truth. Theo gazed into my eyes with a gentle smile, and I realized without a doubt that he didn't need to ask. He already knew I belonged to him and Xander in every sense.

In marriage.

In life.

And even in death.