Page 98 of Sin and Deception

He laughed, shaking his head. “You’re not going to make it.”

“Right. You’re going to kill me," I shouted, calling his bluff. “Well, go ahead and do it, then!"

He raised the gun higher, his hands shaking with fear.

“Shoot me, you bastard!” I yelled, my voice carrying through the air.

His eyes widened, and his finger wiggled against the trigger.

“Come on! Do it, you prick,” I urged even louder this time.

“You’re the prick,” he shouted. “This is payback for my brother’s death.

He took a step forward, placing the barrel of the gun against my chest. He was so close that I could smell his breath.

He was so upset that he trembled like a child, his face pale and glistening with sweat. I recognized that this kind of fear was a dangerous mix. Terror like this—unchecked, wild, and unrefined—was precisely the kind of situation that could lead to someone ending up dead.

But I also knew I wasn’t going to become a corpse today. Gusto summoned his courage, a wild and uncontrollable storm raging in his eyes as he wrestled with his emotions.

Epilogue – Chapter Two

THEO

“What the fuck, Xander?” I muttered to myself as I looked down at my phone, waiting for his reply.

He mentioned needing a few moments alone to gather his thoughts and said he would return shortly. The ceremony was about to begin, and he should have already been in position. We definitely couldn’t start without him.

The door to my room swung open, and Nerine’s mother poked her head in.

“I have a surprise for you,” she said as the boys clung to her legs. When they saw me, they reached out their arms and insisted that I pick them up.

“Papa!” they exclaimed together. As quintessential twins, they synchronized their actions and words perfectly. Even at under two years old, they created more chaos than the older children.

“I love these surprises.” I bent down to pick them both up, then leaned over to kiss their grandmother’s cheek. “How’s Nerine?”

“She’s beautiful,” she replied.

“I have no doubt about that.” I smiled. I couldn’t wait to see, kiss, and make that stunning woman my wife.

“Where’s Xander?” she asked, scanning the area.

“He needed some time to himself. He'll return shortly."

“I understand," she said, nodding. "Theo, I wanted to speak with you and Xander privately. Things will get hectic once the ceremony wraps up, and we won’t have the chance to talk."

“Is everything alright?" I inquired, feeling worried.

“Yes,” she nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “I wanted to express my gratitude to you and Xander for making my daughter so happy and being such great fathers to the boys. You've brought me happiness too. I sleep much better at night knowing Nerine is with you both.”

“Nerine is perfectly capable of caring for herself,” I reminded her.

“I know. But a little extra protection never hurts.”

“Nerine is the love of my life,” I explained. “I don’t need thanks, but I appreciate the sentiment."

"Welcome to the Angelos family.” She beamed at me.

“I feel like I’ve belonged to your family forever. This makes it official.”

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