Page 64 of Sin and Deception

“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 needsto 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.”

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