Page 82 of Sin and Deception

Dumbasses.

I wasn’t a heartless killer and would never stoop to such lows. However, that didn't mean I wouldn't use children as leverage if necessary. It was all part of the game.

Locking eyes with them defiantly, I said, “With Devani’s help and a few personal connections, I’ve gathered a reliable team from the Drakos and Mykos conglomerates. They are quietly accumulating assets from the families we intend to target.”

“Assets?” Xander repeated in disbelief, his eyes widening even further. “You mean their children?”

“Yes,” I replied with a nonchalant shrug. “But discreetly, of course. Most of these families rarely pay attention to their children anyway. They're typically sent off to some boarding school or left in the care of nannies. This way, they won't suspect our true intentions until it's too late.”

“Nerine, how could you implement such an extreme plan without consulting us first?” Theo asked, becoming increasingly frustrated. "This is incredibly dangerous.”

Xander's expression turned from shock to anger.

“This is not a good plan at all, Angel,” he fumed. “You should have thought this through more carefully before taking action.”

“Oh? Are we arguing about who’s in charge again?” Ishot back, my patience wearing thin as their criticism persisted.

“That's not what we meant!” Theo protested, his dark eyes flashing with frustration and anger.

“I’m not questioning your authority!” Xander added quickly.

“No?” I challenged, raising an eyebrow sarcastically. “Just my judgment then?”

Xander released an exasperated growl and turned away as Theo approached to confront me.

“We all share the same goal here, Angel. We want to keep our boys safe. But this is an incredibly risky plan you're suggesting," he said, his voice filled with concern.

“It's more than a proposal,” I reminded them firmly. “It's already in motion.”

“Goddammit!” Xander exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

I was over this anger. I wasn’t their subordinate. I was the fucking Angelos.

I stayed quiet, trying to calm my temper, especially as the tension in the room felt thick and suffocating around us.

Once I gathered my sanity enough not to throw a knife at one of them, I said, "I would never harm innocent children. You know this."

"What game are you playing, Nerine? Don’t you trust us?" Xander asked, his words filled with disappointment. "Is that the issue? Is that why you've withheld so much from us after all this time?"

My blood boiled at his accusations.

Theo chimed in, his voice filled with frustration. "Is this how you want things to be now?"

"Now you're not even listening," I said, my voice rising in anger.

"Learning about it after the fact is insulting," Theo agreed. “Why don’t you trust us?”

"Of course, I trust you!" I insisted, keeping my voice steady and calm despite my raging emotions. "Why do you think I'm telling you this now?"

"You should have told us sooner!" Theo shouted.

His face was flushed red, his eyes small and unyielding. His fists clenched at his sides as he paced back and forth in front of me.

His unreasonable behavior only intensified my anger. How dare he question me like this?

"You question my authority?" I shouted, getting right in his face. "Have you forgotten who I am, Theo?"

We stood facing each other, our noses inches apart, our breaths warm against each other’s skin. Theo’s dark eyes blazed with fierce anger, and for a moment, I felt a familiar fire ignite deep in my belly.

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