Sin and Deception (Sin and Lies #2)

Chapter 23

Twenty-Three

X ANDER

Nerine's stilettos clicked sharply against the polished black marble floors beneath our feet, the sound echoing down the long corridor as we made our way to the conference room. Theo and I walked on either side of her, our movements in perfect sync, projecting a formidable and united front.

Since our intense argument and later reconciliation, we have discovered a sense of harmony and unity among our group. As long as Nerine understood that when our clothes came off, she belonged to both of us, everything ran smoothly.

We strode confidently down the hallway, exuding an air of authority and power.

One family.

One force.

Behind us, our loyal soldiers followed suit, their weapons ready. Even Nerine was armed, her slender frame most likely concealing hidden daggers all over her body.

Walking into the conference room filled with enemies was a risky move. The tension in the air was palpable, and my nerves were wound tight like a coiled snake.

Godfathers of the Night from all New England families awaited our arrival, including rival factions of the Angelos Syndicate. The fact that even the Aetos Syndicates were present spoke volumes about how seriously they took Nerine's message.

Our enemies believed that Nerine had control over their children, using them as leverage or threatening to harm them if she didn't get what she wanted. However, our allies' offspring were safely hidden away in their families' strongholds. Keeping those loyal to us informed about our plans helped prevent issues from arising at inconvenient times.

We played a dangerous game in a world full of powerful individuals.

Nonetheless, Nerine's intentions were not harmful. While she had technically taken these children, they were safe and well cared for in a private, luxurious facility with skilled caregivers. They likely received better care than they had at home or in boarding school, where they faced neglect or abuse from families that regarded them as mere pawns.

Fortunately, Nerine never experienced this in her youth. Peter Angelos wanted his children close and loved them deeply. The only time he softened was with his wife and kids. However, even then, unbeknownst to him, his death caused his daughter to sacrifice herself for her sisters.

The image of my little sister, Zoe, flashed through my mind. She had always been so innocent and carefree, and I had failed to protect her from the dangerous lifestyle we were all part of. The thought of her dying at such a young age, caused by the ruthless Aetos family, filled me with uncontrollable rage.

“What’s wrong, Xander?” Nerine asked.

Theo chimed in, his dark eyes searching mine. "You're fuming. What's on your mind?"

The two of them could read my thoughts like an open book.

"I was just thinking about those Aetos bastards. And Zoe," I replied through clenched teeth.

"Ah, yes, the sins of our past coming back to haunt us," Theo muttered, nodding in understanding.

Nerine touched my arm gently, halting our progress down the hallway.

"Can you control yourself and refrain from ripping off a few heads? Or do you need a few moments to compose yourself before we face them?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage bubbling inside me. "I'll do my best but can't make any promises."

"Theo spoke up with a smirk. "Trust me, the thought of beheading these fuckers gets my blood pumping too."

"Save your hard cocks for after the meeting, boys," Nerine teased with a wink before leading us the rest of the way to the conference room. "I might need them later."

"You know they're always hard for you," Theo reminded her with a playful grin.

I shook my head at their banter and growled, "We could all end up dead sixty seconds from now, and you two are talking about sex."

"Some things can't be helped," Theo shrugged casually.

"Enough," Nerine interjected decisively. "It's time to take down these assholes."

We wiped away the jokes and replaced them with determined expressions as we followed Nerine into the room filled with our enemies.

All eyes turned to us, and our soldiers lined up behind us as we faced the room.

The atmosphere was tense, resembling a storm forming on the horizon. It seemed nearly impossible for everyone to leave this room unscathed.

As Simon Drakos, one of our few allies, stepped forward to greet us, I felt a wave of relief. Nico Mykos and Anthony Galani flanked him, both on our side. However, a formidable wall of enemies loomed behind them, watching our every move.

"Welcome, Nerine," Simon greeted her with a polite bow.

“Thank you, Simon,” Nerine replied with grace and composure. “Hello, Nico. How are the young ones?”

She displayed no nervousness or anxiety with her question, radiating only an aura of calmness and peace .

The corners of Nico’s lips curved. “Tucked away and safe.”

I clenched my teeth. The annoyance still lingered from Nerine involving the Mykos brothers in collecting all of the children. I understood they had resources in places no one could link back to us, but Nerine left us out of the loop completely before taking action.

Nerine’s next question snapped me out of my brooding, “And the ones belonging to you and your brothers?”

“On vacation with their Theia Nyx .”

Now, that explained why Nyx Drakos, Simon’s wife, hadn’t made an appearance at the house after our arrival back in Boston. She was as close to Nerine as Devani and was the one who introduced Nerine to Devani in the first place.

Nico glanced at Simon, “I’m sure Theios Simon is disappointed to miss the holiday with his wife.”

“Not in the least,” Simon muttered. “I'd rather see who the Godmother disciples today.”

I held in my grunt. My gut told me we wouldn’t leave this room without some bloodshed.

Anthony Galani, a tall, tanned man in his late twenties, approached us. He had dark blue eyes and black hair styled to appear both disheveled and tidy.

“Let me start, Ms. Angelos, by stating clearly that I’ve resolved the issue with my father,” Anthony announced, bowing his head respectfully. The corners of his lips curled into a small smile before he continued. “My loyalty will always lie with the Angelos family.”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise and admiration. Managing his father's attempted coup must have been no easy task. His father was notorious for his ruthless and cunning ways. However, Anthony controlled the purse strings, and even the best-laid plans can fall apart without funding. Realizing he had cut off his father's access to funds was a relief.

However, he succeeded. I was grateful for that.

“Thank you, Anthony,” she said with a sincere smile. “That’s one less worry for me. Your loyalty means a lot.”

“What is your feeling about your peers in this room?”

Nerine’s directness wasn’t something I expected. But then again, Anthony was young like her, and having to prove his worth was a battle he continually faced.

“Excluding Aetos and Stratos. The consensus is to watch the outcome of your interactions with them. They will follow based on the outcome of that battle.”

“They have no fear for their children or what I might do to them?”

Anthony smiled. “They sat at this table with your father and saw a lot of his style in you, which led them to believe you shared his views on the value of children.”

“As long as they don’t turn against me, they have nothing to worry about.”

“I will pass on the message,” he nodded and stepped back in line with Simon and Nico, nodding slightly.

Nerine's gaze swept across the room, patiently waiting for someone to speak up. It was crucial to allow the two self-important assholes who caused this mess to reveal their agendas .

As the room stayed silent, Nerine walked to the head of the table and took her seat with poise and authority, prepared to address the group.

“I appreciate you all taking the time to be here today,” she began, her voice steady and without inflection.

Whenever she exhibited this level of control, I couldn't help but feel a surge of desire. Today was no different. Yet beneath my want, I stayed vigilant for the tension that charged the air around us. Nothing would deter me from safeguarding my queen.

"Yeah, it's bullshit that you forced us here," Gusto let out a bitter laugh. "What's the fucking point of all this?"

Nerine's eyes blazed as she raised a perfectly shaped brow at his blatant disrespect. My fists clenched at my sides, the urge to destroy these insolent men surging within me.

"You're upset, gentlemen," Nerine remarked coolly. "That's unfortunate but understandable. I am upset as well."

"That's a mild word for what we feel," Gusto spat back. "I don't know who you think you are, taking the children and summoning us here like a queen."

Nerine's calm smile did little to hide her irritation at his words. "Because that is exactly who I am. Why do you always feel the need to be so contrary? I don’t answer to you, and I never will. Do you really believe that just because I am a woman, I am in any way lesser than you?"

"That's absurd!" Gusto interrupted, his face turning red with indignation.

But Nerine ignored his outburst and continued calmly. "Do you really believe my gender diminishes my abilities as a leader? Let me assure you, Gusto, I am just as powerful as you think you are just because the Y chromosome gave you that little mushroom between your legs."

Her sharp words cut through the air like knives, and Gusto fumed in his seat.

"Are you sure it's not your sordid relationship with these two brutes standing beside you that gives you any semblance of power, Nerine?" Tobias spoke up with a mocking smirk on his face. "You're right. It's not what's between your thighs that makes you powerful. It's the people you align yourself with, wouldn't you agree?"

We expected this type of dealing from Stratos. His ego couldn’t accept rejection, so taunting was a way to save face.

Idiot.

Nerine viewed her relationship with Theo and me as an asset, not a weakness. Nothing any of these bastards said could change this.

His eyes glinted with malice as he continued. "And from what I've heard, you've certainly aligned yourself with them more than once." The disgust in his voice was palpable. "So tell me, what does that make you? I can't imagine these two let their little whore have much control behind the scenes."

Around the table, some gasped while others laughed at Tobias's words. I noted how each person reacted and planned their punishment accordingly. Theo stood stoic at Nerine’s side, but I could sense the anger and frustration boiling within him.

Nerine lifted her chin, undaunted by Tobias's insults. I had never been prouder of her .

But the final straw came when Tobias focused on our children.

"And now you have two young boys of your own," he mocked. "Congratulations, by the way. We all wondered where you’d been for the last two years. It turns out you were busy giving birth to the consequences of your promiscuity. Are they even their fathers? How can you be sure when you open your legs for both of them?"

"Enough!" My voice echoed sharply, laced with fury. I stepped forward, poised to tear Tobias apart. Theo matched my movements, eager to join in.

But Nerine held up a hand, halting us both.

"Tobias," she said coolly, her tone laced with disdain. "You were an ugly soul. And just like your friend Gusto here, you think that flaccid noodle in your pants gives you the right to spout nonsense without consequences."

She leaned forward and then lowered her voice to a mocking whisper. "And by the way, I don't know if you've heard the rumors, but there’s some doubt about your ability to produce viable sperm. That’s why you used alternative methods for conception. It seems the mother of your children has started questioning whether the sample used was yours. You know, DNA tests are pretty simple these days. You don't even have to provide anything but spit. Just like you're spitting out those despicable words at me."

His eyes widened as he processed her words, a mix of disbelief and anger boiling inside him.

“How dare you imply such a thing?"

"You have some nerve with your outrage," Nerine continued, her voice laced with disdain. "Get over yourself. I'm sure those poor kids are praying they don't inherit any of your genes."

Tobias felt the sting of her words like a physical blow. He clenched his fists in frustration, knowing that Nerine was right. He and Gusto were no match for her in this verbal sparring match.

"This is completely fucked up!" Tobias exclaimed, slamming his fist down on the table. "We demand to know where our children are!"

Instead of providing an answer, Nerine smirked and shook her head slowly. "I'd be more concerned about discovering who their real parents are," she taunted.

Tobias's face turned beet red with anger at her insinuation.

“How about you tell me where my sister is first, Tobias?” Nerine asked. “Then maybe I’ll update you on the legitimate and illegitimate offspring of everyone in this room.”

But before he could respond, Gusto interjected. “Do you really think we'll just hand over whatever you want, Nerine?" he growled. "Do you think you're the only one who can stoop this low? Don't forget that Hayes and Charis aren’t as safe and untouchable as you might believe.”

Rage surged within me. The very mention of my sons' names by these heartless monsters unleashed waves of anger. I understood that it would require strength to refrain from lashing out.

I pictured them bleeding out on the floor, their lives slipping away as I watched with satisfaction. In reality, however, I had to settle for imagining their destruction while keeping a watchful eye on Nerine.

“Do you dare to threaten my boys, Gusto?” Nerine asked. “I must admit, I greatly underestimated your intelligence.”

"Enough!" Simon's voice resonated in the room as he stood at the table.

The tension in the air shifted, and I shared a warning glance with Theo. "Gusto, this is only making things worse!" Simon exclaimed. "You're not just harming yourself and your family, but also future generations to come. Have some foresight, and stop focusing solely on yourself! Don’t forget we're all in the same boat. If one goes down, we all go down together."

His words struck each of us like a brutal reality check. He was right. We were all guilty of turning against one another at times, but ultimately, we needed each other to survive.

Nerine leaned back, a cold smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Simon, your words might be lost on Gusto," she said, locking eyes across the table. "His interests have always consumed him. But did you think I wouldn’t know? That I wouldn't find out?"

“Find out what?” he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “You know nothing!”

"I know you killed my brother," Nerine replied calmly. "And I know it was a pathetic attempt at revenge for your brother's death."

Despite her accusations, Gusto lifted his chin defiantly, challenging her to take action.

But instead of reacting with violence, Nerine simply took a calming breath and stood up. She strolled around the table.

"Round and round we go, huh?" she mused with a sardonic smile.

"Apparently," Gusto grumbled in reply.

"How about we call it even now?" Nerine suggested. “An eye for an eye. A brother for a brother. We can end this here and now.”

Nerine strode purposefully, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor until she stood directly across from Gusto and Tobias. She paused to take a deep breath, her piercing gaze sweeping across the table before settling on Gusto again.

“But if that’s not satisfactory to you, there is always another option,” she said coolly.

Gusto raised an eyebrow in response.

“Is that so?” he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

“Absolutely. I don’t like it very much, but I won’t hesitate to carry out my plan if needed. Make no mistake, despite my recent venture into motherhood, I am still a ruthless businesswoman.”

The Godfathers around the table sat still, hanging on every word that fell from Nerine’s beautiful yet unforgiving lips.

Tobias could no longer contain himself. “Well, spill it,” he demanded. “We don't have all day."

A calm, serene smile spread across Nerine's face as she turned to look at him. It was evident that Tobias was walking a thin line.

I expected Nerine to pull a dagger from her suit pocket at any moment and strike him down for his disrespect. No one spoke to her like that without facing the consequences. Instead, she kept talking.

“This is your other option: for every child you take from the Angelos family, I will take one from you. Then we'll call it even."

Her words lingered in the air until Tobias's voice pierced the silence. “You can’t do that!”

"I can do anything I want," she stated boldly. Gusto set the standard for this negotiation: a child for a child. I was willing to accept that our past losses were enough to settle the debts between our families.”

She turned her attention to Gusto, her gaze hardened. "Don't you have a daughter?"

Gusto's face drained of all color as he realized the gravity of her words.

“She’s about the same age that Xander's little sister Zoe was when you killed her. Isn’t that right? I mean, if she’s actually yours," Nerine continued, her tone casual and detached. "I've heard rumors about your kids that are similar to those about Tobias's children. But you know what I mean.”

The thought of innocent children being murdered to atone for their families' sins was unsettling, but I knew it was all just empty threats from Nerine. She would never do such a thing. There was no doubt about that.

Yet the men around the table were trembling with fear, believing every terrifying word.

Once it became clear that Gusto and Tobias would not respond, Nerine returned to her position at the head of the table.

“Very well,” she declared confidently. “If no one else has anything to add, I’ll take your silence as agreement to my terms. Allow me to outline those terms clearly and concisely to avoid any misunderstandings. Please listen carefully.”

She took a deep breath while I watched the others, expecting someone to make a move at any moment.

“No one will speak of my family’s debt again. Is that clear?" Nerine declared firmly. "The feud between our families is over. Boston belongs to the Angelos family, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You will leave my city immediately. You can contact me individually whenever business arises here. However, let me be perfectly clear—the Aetos family is never welcome in this city again. None of you will ever threaten the Angelos family or our allies again. You will never bring harm to any of our family members."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. Gusto appeared crestfallen and defeated, his bravado and ego deflated like a balloon.

"Thank you for your cooperation," Nerine said with a nod. "Your children are safe and will be returned to you shortly."

She paused for a moment before concluding, her voice filled with finality. "I’m taking your silence as approval of this agreement."

Nerine turned on her heel and led the way to the door with a determined stride. Theo and I followed closely behind her, aware of the tension in the air .

"You forgot to ask for our approval on your relationship, you whore," Tobias spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Nerine halted, her back stiffening at the insult. Tobias stood up from his seat with a sneer, his eyes darting accusingly toward us.

The air hummed with electricity, charged with hostility and danger. Clearly, the jerk had a death wish. I watched Nerine closely, bracing for her reaction. A glint of metal flickered in the reflection of the overhead lights.

"I don't need anyone's approval, Tobias," she spat through gritted teeth. "For anything at all."

In one swift motion that seemed almost too fast for the eye to follow, Nerine unsheathed her dagger and hurled it across the room with lethal precision. The tip of the blade struck directly between Tobias's beady eyes, drawing blood that trickled down his face like a scarlet ribbon.

He crumpled to the ground at his brother's feet, a look of shock frozen on his face as reality dawned on him. Nerine gave Nixos a pointed look.

"Congratulations, Nixos. You are now the head of the Stratos family. Will you be an ally or an enemy? The choice is yours." Her voice carried a hint of warning and a promise of better things depending on his decision.

Nixos stared with wide eyes, too afraid to move. In fact, every man in the room remained motionless.

Nerine swept out of the room with a haughty smile, closely followed by Theo and me. Our power solidified as we strode down the hallway, accompanied by a loyal army of soldiers, leaving our enemies stunned and silent.