Page 92 of Sin and Deception

A calm, serene smile spread across Nerine's face as she turned to look at him. It was evident that Tobias was walking a thin line.

I expected Nerine to pull a dagger from her suit pocket atany moment and strike him down for his disrespect. No one spoke to her like that without facing the consequences. Instead, she kept talking.

“This is your other option: for every child you take from the Angelos family, I will take one from you. Then we'll call it even."

Her words lingered in the air until Tobias's voice pierced the silence. “You can’t do that!”

"I can do anything I want," she stated boldly. Gusto set the standard for this negotiation: a child for a child. I was willing to accept that our past losses were enough to settle the debts between our families.”

She turned her attention to Gusto, her gaze hardened. "Don't you have a daughter?"

Gusto's face drained of all color as he realized the gravity of her words.

“She’s about the same age that Xander's little sister Zoe was when you killed her. Isn’t that right? I mean, if she’s actually yours," Nerine continued, her tone casual and detached. "I've heard rumors about your kids that are similar to those about Tobias's children. But you know what I mean.”

The thought of innocent children being murdered to atone for their families' sins was unsettling, but I knew it was all just empty threats from Nerine. She would never do such a thing. There was no doubt about that.

Yet the men around the table were trembling with fear, believing every terrifying word.

Once it became clear that Gusto and Tobias would notrespond, Nerine returned to her position at the head of the table.

“Very well,” she declared confidently. “If no one else has anything to add, I’ll take your silence as agreement to my terms. Allow me to outline those terms clearly and concisely to avoid any misunderstandings. Please listen carefully.”

She took a deep breath while I watched the others, expecting someone to make a move at any moment.

“No one will speak of my family’s debt again. Is that clear?" Nerine declared firmly. "The feud between our families is over. Boston belongs to the Angelos family, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You will leave my city immediately. You can contact me individually whenever business arises here. However, let me be perfectly clear—the Aetos family is never welcome in this city again. None of you will ever threaten the Angelos family or our allies again. You will never bring harm to any of our family members."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. Gusto appeared crestfallen and defeated, his bravado and ego deflated like a balloon.

"Thank you for your cooperation," Nerine said with a nod. "Your children are safe and will be returned to you shortly."

She paused for a moment before concluding, her voice filled with finality. "I’m taking your silence as approval of this agreement."

Nerine turned on her heel and led the way to the door with a determined stride. Theo and I followed closely behind her, aware of the tension in the air.

"You forgot to ask for our approval on your relationship, you whore," Tobias spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Nerine halted, her back stiffening at the insult. Tobias stood up from his seat with a sneer, his eyes darting accusingly toward us.

The air hummed with electricity, charged with hostility and danger. Clearly, the jerk had a death wish. I watched Nerine closely, bracing for her reaction. A glint of metal flickered in the reflection of the overhead lights.

"I don't need anyone's approval, Tobias," she spat through gritted teeth. "For anything at all."

In one swift motion that seemed almost too fast for the eye to follow, Nerine unsheathed her dagger and hurled it across the room with lethal precision. The tip of the blade struck directly between Tobias's beady eyes, drawing blood that trickled down his face like a scarlet ribbon.

He crumpled to the ground at his brother's feet, a look of shock frozen on his face as reality dawned on him. Nerine gave Nixos a pointed look.

"Congratulations, Nixos. You are now the head of the Stratos family. Will you be an ally or an enemy? The choice is yours." Her voice carried a hint of warning and a promise of better things depending on his decision.

Nixos stared with wide eyes, too afraid to move. In fact, every man in the room remained motionless.

Nerine swept out of the room with a haughty smile, closely followed by Theo and me. Our power solidified as we strode down the hallway, accompanied by a loyal army of soldiers, leaving our enemies stunned and silent.

Twenty-Four

NERINE

As I gazed into Fiona's piercing turquoise eyes, the flames of the fireplace danced behind her in my office. The warmth from the fire contrasted with the tension in the room as I spoke to my sister. She sat beside me, her features reminiscent of my own at a similar age. It served as a disconcerting reminder of our bloodline and the weight it carried.

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