Page 89 of Sin and Deception

"Can you control yourself and refrain from ripping off a few heads? Or do you need a few moments to compose yourself before we face them?"

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the rage bubbling inside me. "I'll do my best but can't make any promises."

"Theo spoke up with a smirk. "Trust me, the thought of beheading these fuckers gets my blood pumping too."

"Save your hard cocks for after the meeting, boys,"Nerine teased with a wink before leading us the rest of the way to the conference room. "I might need them later."

"You know they're always hard for you," Theo reminded her with a playful grin.

I shook my head at their banter and growled, "We could all end up dead sixty seconds from now, and you two are talking about sex."

"Some things can't be helped," Theo shrugged casually.

"Enough," Nerine interjected decisively. "It's time to take down these assholes."

We wiped away the jokes and replaced them with determined expressions as we followed Nerine into the room filled with our enemies.

All eyes turned to us, and our soldiers lined up behind us as we faced the room.

The atmosphere was tense, resembling a storm forming on the horizon. It seemed nearly impossible for everyone to leave this room unscathed.

As Simon Drakos, one of our few allies, stepped forward to greet us, I felt a wave of relief. Nico Mykos and Anthony Galani flanked him, both on our side. However, a formidable wall of enemies loomed behind them, watching our every move.

"Welcome, Nerine," Simon greeted her with a polite bow.

“Thank you, Simon,” Nerine replied with grace and composure. “Hello, Nico. How are the young ones?”

She displayed no nervousness or anxiety with her question, radiating only an aura of calmness and peace.

The corners of Nico’s lips curved. “Tucked away and safe.”

I clenched my teeth. The annoyance still lingered from Nerine involving the Mykos brothers in collecting all of the children. I understood they had resources in places no one could link back to us, but Nerine left us out of the loop completely before taking action.

Nerine’s next question snapped me out of my brooding, “And the ones belonging to you and your brothers?”

“On vacation with theirTheiaNyx .”

Now, that explained why Nyx Drakos, Simon’s wife, hadn’t made an appearance at the house after our arrival back in Boston. She was as close to Nerine as Devani and was the one who introduced Nerine to Devani in the first place.

Nico glanced at Simon, “I’m sureTheiosSimon is disappointed to miss the holiday with his wife.”

“Not in the least,” Simon muttered. “I'd rather see who the Godmother disciples today.”

I held in my grunt. My gut told me we wouldn’t leave this room without some bloodshed.

Anthony Galani, a tall, tanned man in his late twenties, approached us. He had dark blue eyes and black hair styled to appear both disheveled and tidy.

“Let me start, Ms. Angelos, by stating clearly that I’ve resolved the issue with my father,” Anthony announced, bowing his head respectfully. The corners of his lips curled into a small smile before he continued. “My loyalty will always lie with the Angelos family.”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise and admiration.Managing his father's attempted coup must have been no easy task. His father was notorious for his ruthless and cunning ways. However, Anthony controlled the purse strings, and even the best-laid plans can fall apart without funding. Realizing he had cut off his father's access to funds was a relief.

However, he succeeded. I was grateful for that.

“Thank you, Anthony,” she said with a sincere smile. “That’s one less worry for me. Your loyalty means a lot.”

“What is your feeling about your peers in this room?”

Nerine’s directness wasn’t something I expected. But then again, Anthony was young like her, and having to prove his worth was a battle he continually faced.

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