Page 65 of Sin and Deception

“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 everythingit 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.

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