Page 96 of Sin and Deception

But never, in a million years, did I expect to find Gusto Aetos looking back at me.

Suddenly, all the tension returned. Alarm and anger washed over me like an unexpected wave, and I stepped back, preparing my body for whatever this fucker planned.

“Gusto!”

“Xander,” he nodded. In his hand, he held a revolver aimed straight at me. He wore the same clothes I had seen a caterer wearing earlier.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“It’s obvious. I’m here for your wedding, of course.”

“You weren’t invited.”

My mind raced as I evaluated my surroundings. Distanced from my bedroom and firearms, I found myself utterly defenseless here. I might as well have been standing there with my dick in my hand.

“I wasn’t? Forgive my rudeness,” he joked.

I took a deep breath, my eyes flicking to the door behind him.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“What’s the end game here?” I asked.

“You’re an asshole, Xander, but you’re smart. That’s a stupid fucking question, don’t you think?”

“Fair enough,” I said. “I thought we were past this, Gusto.”

“Nerine thought we were past this. I never agreed.”

“Your silence was agreement,” I reminded him.

“Fuck that,” he said. “I’m here for revenge.”

“Yeah? A life for a life?” I asked.

“Exactly.”

“You realize what’s going to happen if you kill me, right? Nerine already warned you. If you mess with the Angelos again, you’re signing your little daughter’s death warrant. Nerine will show you no mercy.”

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“You’re an idiot,” I scoffed, shaking my head. “How the fuck did you rise to the head of your family with that IQ?”

His face twisted in anger, his breath quickening. I took a step forward, and he jutted the gun toward me.

“Don’t move!”

I stopped, raising my hands.

“Can I talk you out of this?” I asked.

“I’ve made up my mind,” he replied, lifting his chin defiantly.

I noticed his fingers tightly clutching the gun, with one finger on the trigger.

His hand trembled, and a drop of sweat rolled down his temple into his sideburn.

For someone who planned to kill me, he was certainly moving slowly. He appeared to be more anxious than I was. Then it struck me.

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