Page 44 of Sin and Deception

Theo chuckled, and I couldn't help but join in. "Can you imagine Fiona's expression when she saw it climbing the charts?"

"Oh yeah," I added with a nod. "She must have been freaking out."

"Stupid kid," Theo laughed.

"You know," I said, wiping tears from my eyes, "It's a good thing."

Nerine looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

"How could you possibly think that?" her tone was one of frustration.

I turned to face her, my expression serious.

"Don't you see?" I asked. "She did us a favor. It brought us to you. We wouldn't even know we had sons if she hadn't written that book, Angel," I added. "You were keeping them from us. Or did you conveniently forget that?"

Her shoulders slumped, and guilt and shame washed over her face. For a brief moment, I almost felt sorry for her. Butthen I recalled the choices she had made and the consequences of those choices we were now facing.

"Now," I growled, leaning in closer and gripping her chin firmly, forcing her to meet my gaze. "Don't make me ask again," I warned. "Where the hell have you hidden our sons?"

But instead of stalling or fighting back as I had expected, Nerine sighed heavily and spoke the only word that mattered: "Phoenix."

Fifteen

NERINE

The steady hum of the plane engines resonated in my ears, a familiar sound that typically calmed me. But today was anything but ordinary. My body was tense, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The usual anxiety and worry were present, but now excitement and uncertainty were intertwined. After so long, seeing my boys again filled me with both joy and apprehension for what lay ahead.

At least I no longer had to conceal the truth about Charis and Hayes. Though it was revealed unexpectedly, Theo and Xander were now aware of them. Their eyes still reflected anger and pain, and I couldn't blame them. I had takensomething from them that I could never give back: memories, milestones, and experiences.

We could attempt to move on, but it felt like an unforgivable betrayal.

I sighed, gazing out the window at the passing landscape. Something captured my attention, a sense that something was off. Suddenly, it struck me.

"The plane is heading the wrong way," I blurted, feeling confused. "This isn't the route to Phoenix. What's going on?"

Both Theo and Xander turned to me in surprise. Theo raised an impressed eyebrow before questioning me.

"How do you know we're off course just by looking at clouds and mountains, Angel?"

"I picked up some new skills during my absence," I replied cryptically.

"Is that so?" Xander chimed in with a mischievous grin on his face. "Tell us more."

I narrowed my eyes at his teasing tone, resisting the urge to make a snarky comeback. Something in his dark gaze stirred a familiar tingle inside me. His playful demeanor evoked memories of the seductive enforcer who could ignite every part of me with just a look or a touch.

"Do you have an explanation for us, Angel?" Theo's voice carried a hint of authority, sending a shiver down my spine.

No matter how angry I might be with them, they always knew how to disarm me with just a few words. It was both infuriating and irresistible.

"I had a lot of time to myself," I began, trying to maintain my composure. "And as you both know, I get bored easily."

Xander chuckled. "You don't say. I remember that about you."

Ignoring his comment, I continued. "I had a clear view of the airport from my apartment. I spent hours watching the flight patterns and memorizing the direction each plane took off and at what time. We're definitely not on the right path to Arizona."

"You never fail to amaze me, Nerine," Theo said admiringly. "I'm truly impressed."

"You'll wish you hadn't said that," Xander chimed in.

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