Page 77 of Dark Reunion

The boys ran to Dean, gripping his hands tight. “I need to keep them safe. I can’t do what’s needed while worrying about them. And there is no doubt in my mind that my father will use them as weapons against me. I’m trusting you with my family, and I’ll bring Isabella back to you.”

Alvarez crouched to eye level with the boys. “So, you’ll be the men of the house?”

“Yes, sir,” Tate said, shaking his hand solemnly. “Daddy says we have to protect Mommy.”

Alvarez smiled. “That’s a big job. You think you can handle it?”

“Yes, sir.”

He chuckled softly. “I believe you can too.”

Straightening, Alvarez nodded. “No harm will come to them. I’m honored by your trust.”

Dean smirked. “If you like this, you’ll love my next gift.” He gestured to Ricco, who opened the Hummer’s back. “Military-grade drones.”

Alvarez’s smile grew. “I’m really starting to like you.”

Once everyone was loaded, Dean crouched and kissed each child goodbye. Yasmine’s turn came last. She clung to him, neither of them speaking, just breathing the same air for what felt like the last time.

“Come back to us,” she whispered, brushing her lips against his before stepping away.

He stood there until the taillights disappeared into the desert, swallowed by the darkness. Then he bent forward, hands braced on his knees, fighting to breathe.

“You okay?” Ricco asked quietly.

“Yeah,” Dean croaked after a long moment, eyes still on the empty road. “Just need a minute. Then we can head back.”

He tilted his head to the sky, closing his eyes as a single thought ran through him like a prayer.

Please…let this not be the last time I see them.