Page 74 of Dark Reunion

CHAPTER 28

DEAN

He kept his distance from his father for the next two days, waiting for Alvarez’s call and praying for Ricco’s nod that meant the meeting was a go. It was time to get Yasmine and the kids to safety.

“What are you not telling me?” Yasmine asked as he continued packing a duffel that held clothes for all the kids.

“I’m getting you out of here. You and the kids,” he said, folding the last pile and zipping the bag shut.

“And…what about you? You keep mentioning me and the kids, but not yourself.”

He turned to his beautiful wife and saw the worry in her green eyes, the same eyes that had captured his soul the moment they met. His thumbs brushed over her soft skin, and he savored this quiet moment, knowing it would have to hold him over until the world stopped burning and he could see her again.

“You know I can’t leave until Carlos is six feet under and Keene is removed as the head of the Righteous,” Dean said, voice low, steady. “They’ll hunt us forever if we all run. I need to finish this. Keene will be back in a matter of days, that’s when I’ll strike.”

“I don’t like this,” she whispered, voice trembling but dry-eyed. Yasmine was his rock, and she was being strong for him now.

“I promise I’ll come for you, and we’ll go home together. As a family.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“How can you be so certain?”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Because I’d be a fool not to come home to you. I love you and the kids more than you can ever know. I won’t let him steal that from me, or force me to be unfaithful with his sick games.”

Yasmine wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him like she was imprinting the feel of him into memory. Her warmth sank into his body, lighting him up from the inside. God, he wished they had more time. But they needed to move.

It took all his strength to pull back. A lone tear glistened in Yasmine’s eyes.

“You better,” she said softly, then took his hand and placed it over her stomach. “Because you’re going to be a daddy again.”

“Are you serious?”

Yasmine smiled, her whole face glowing. Dean scooped her up into his arms, spinning her until she laughed.

“We’re going to have our own football team soon,” he chuckled, grinning as he set her back down.

“Not a chance. I’m very happy, but I think we need to slow down. Four was a handful…five, we’re almost at two minivans territory.”

He laughed quietly, the low rumble always made her heart flutter. For a second, the world outside their door didn’t exist. He kissed her again, lingering, then whispered against her lips,

“Te amo como si tu corazón y el mío latieran como uno solo. Voy a volver a casa contigo, mi hermosa esposa. Eres mi razón para respirar.”

Yasmine had saved his soul and repaired a heart he’d thought long gone. There were no words big enough to hold what he felt for her, but as long as he had air in his lungs, he would try.

“También te amo, mi vida,” Yasmine whispered back, and even though they needed to go, he pulled her close again, letting his touch say what words couldn’t.

There was a soft knock at the door. Ricco.

Yasmine lifted a trembling finger to his lips. “Don’t you dare say goodbye. This isn’t goodbye…it’s see you soon.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

With a small smile, he grabbed the heavy duffel and Yasmine’s hand. Peeking into the hall, he saw Ricco waiting, twitchy as ever.

“Everything’s ready,” Ricco informed.

Dean nodded and stepped out, locking the door behind them. “As an added bonus, Carlos decided to go to his favorite spot for a few hours, if we are lucky, the whole night.”

Dean arched a brow. “Do I want to know what his favorite spot is?”