Page 81 of Sin and Deception

"But that doesn't make sense," Xander interjected, hisconfusion evident in his tone. "Staging her kidnapping doesn't address the issues that drove her into hiding in the first place."

"And who exactly was planning to take the boys? Aetos, Santos, or one of their allies?" I demanded, my blood boiling with rage. "That’s the first thing we need to figure out."

"You're right," Nerine said grimly, her eyes glinting with determination. "I'm tired of all of this. I have a plan to end it once and for all.

"What's your plan?" Xander asked cautiously, studying her closely.

"I'm going to fight fire with fire," Nerine whispered darkly, sending chills down my spine. "Our enemies have shown no mercy, using our families and children as leverage. They killed my brother and Zoe, all for some twisted vendetta that can only be satisfied with the blood of innocent children. What kind of monsters do that?"

"Those that deserve to burn in hell," I growled, sensing where she was headed and hating every word.

"We have to show them that we are not weak. If sacrificing the lives of their beloved and innocent family members is the only way to get through to them, then that's what we'll do," Nerine declared, lifting her chin defiantly.

The darkness in her eyes was chilling, filling me with dread for what she was about to propose.

"Wait ... are you suggesting we kill the youngest children of our enemies?" Xander's disbelief was palpable in his words.

"I am," Nerine confirmed, a menacing edge creeping into her voice. "But not just one child. All of them."

Twenty-Two

NERINE

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 themin 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 involvedin 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.

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