Page 94 of Dark Reunion

CHAPTER 35

DEAN

The sun was low over the desert when the pickup truck rolled up the long drive to the Alvarez ranch. It was a massive rolling property that was set far away from the roaming guards and giving it the perfect serene feel.

The world smelled of fresh air, blossoms and held the kind of stillness that follows a storm. Maeve sat in the passenger seat, silent as she stared straight ahead. Dean could tell she was nervous despite her not saying a word. Wolf sat between them, hand resting over hers. Dean never pegged them to turn into a couple, but in some odd way, it made a shit ton of sense, and he loved Wolf for her.

They pulled up and stopped. The guards stayed at their posts but glanced in their direction. Dean looked over at Maeve.

“You ready for this?”

“I don’t know.” She rubbed her hands on her jeans. “The place looks familiar, seems familiar, and yet I don’t know if it is just wishful thinking. What if they’re disappointed in me?”

“There is nothing to be disappointed about.” Wolf brought Maeve’s hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “They will love you, as I love you. It’s going to be fine.”

Maeve took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, let's go.”

As they climbed out of the truck, the screen door creaked. Two figures stepped out onto the wraparound porch. The woman had tears in her eyes as she covered her mouth, and Dean suspected this had to be Mrs. Alvarez standing next to Mr. Alvarez.

They all froze, just staring at one another like no one knew what to do now.

Maeve stepped forward first, moving toward them. Dean and Wolf held back, giving her space.

Her mother ran down the stairs in three quick strides, arms wide, voice trembling as she called her name. Maeve hesitated only a breath before folding into her embrace. Mr. Alvarez joined them, wrapping them both up, and the three together.

Dean looked away, swallowing to keep his own emotions in check, but the sound of Maeve’s laugh made something in his chest ease.

“Mama…Papa,” Maeve choked out, and the crying and laughing got louder, a strange mix of pure joy amidst the broken hearts.

“I’m going to go over,” Wolf said, walking away.

Maeve turned and immediately reached for him, pulling him closer. The smile on her face was beautiful. Like a light had finally been restored in her.

“This is Wolf,” she said softly. “He’s the reason I’m here, and alive at all.”

Mr. Alvarez studied Wolf, eyes sharp, then offered his hand. “Then you’re family.”

Wolf shook it, a quiet nod sealing the truth between them, before Mr. Alvarez pulled Wolf into a manly hug.

Then the older man’s gaze shifted to Dean. “Thank you. I never thought I would say those words to a Ramírez, but here we are, and I will forever be grateful.”

Dean straightened, meeting him halfway. “She brought herself home. We just helped keep her safe until the road was clear of landmines.”

Mr. Alvarez gripped his hand, his shake firm. “Still, thank you. You’ll find Yasmine and the children out back by the tire swing. They’ve been asking when you’d arrive.”

Dean’s throat tightened. “Appreciate that, sir.”

He took a step, but Mr. Alvarez grabbed his arm. “You have an incredible family. Despite all you’ve endured, you have become a good man. So…I’ll tell you something that I swore I’d take to my grave, but you’ve earned the truth. Your mother was my cousin. When she finally had enough of Carlos and his abuse, she came to me begging for help. She was desperate, wanting safety for herself and her little boy. She knew this would cause a war that would never end. But I saw the fear in her eyes, and I said yes. I guess your father found out about our meeting, because not long after, she disappeared. I couldn’t let that stand. That’s why I’ve been at war with Carlos. Not because of money or drug routes or power. Family. She was my family, and so are you.”

Choked up, Dean stood there staring after Mr. Alvarez as he turned and walked back to the small group chatting happily. Maeve really was family. All this time, he’d never known, but he’d always felt the connection.

He glanced once more at Maeve, her mother’s arm around her, Wolf’s head bent close as they spoke, and felt the world right itself.

With a smile on his lips, he followed the path around the house.

The yard stretched wide and gold under the sinking sun. The large tree cast a long shadow that covered a set of chairs where Yasmine sat with Andrés on her lap, reading from a worn picture book. Nearby, Ava and Isabella played with a doll while Tate and Aiden’s laughter carried across the yard, clean, bright, and completely perfect.

Dean stopped, and for a second, he just watched the way the light caught in their hair, the sound of their laughter, Yasmine’s soft smile as she turned the page. It was everything he’d fought for without ever realizing it. Everything he hadn’t believed he deserved.