Page 75 of Dark Reunion

“Let’s just say it’s a place where men can pay to indulge every depraved desire imaginable. Not somewhere I’d ever step foot.”

Dean’s jaw tightened. He knew the kind of place. He’d dismantled a few.

They reached Ava’s room. Aiden and Tate were already dressed in jeans and hoodies, jackets zipped. Andrés slept in his carrier while Ava softly bounced Isabella.

“It’s like she can sense something’s up, she just won’t sleep,” Ava said.

“Not to worry. You ready to go?” Yasmine asked, taking Isabella.

“Yes,” Ava said, hope trembling in her voice.

Dean squatted down, the boys snapping to attention like tiny soldiers.

“I need you both to be very quiet. No teasing, no questions until I say otherwise. Understand?”

“Are we going on a mission?” Tate asked, eyes wide.

Dean smiled. “Yes. A very important one, to protect your mother, Isabella, and your baby brother. You think you’re up to the task?”

The boys shared a look and nodded in unison. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. I’m counting on you. Stay close to your mom.”

They moved through the halls in tense silence. Maeve was waiting by the back door.

“It’s all clear,” she whispered.

They slipped out into the night, the overcast sky hiding them. A few guards loyal to Dean manned the gate. They would have to go without Matteo this time as he would be driving Carlos around tonight.

Inside the hangar, Dean turned to Ricco. “I’m giving you access to the second Hummer. It’ll follow mine automatically. If you need manual control, just say ‘remove auto-drive’. Got it?”

Ricco nodded, eyeing the tech like it might bite him. Dean clapped his shoulder. “It’ll be fine. It drives like any other vehicle, and your map will stay in place, but lets hope you don’t need to use the option.”

He loaded the bag and buckled the boys into the second Hummer. He kissed each of their heads, then Ava climbed in. At the driver’s seat, Dean activated the system while Maeve recited the code Wolf had taught her.

“Follow mode engaged,” the screen confirmed.

Dean turned to Maeve as Yasmine settled into his Hummer. “You sure you don’t want to come? I know your parents would be happy to see you.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t really remember them. And until Carlos is gone, no one’s safe. I plan to see that through first.”

Dean nodded solemnly. “I wish I could change your mind.”

Maeve pulled out a USB stick and handed it over. “Wolf made this. It’s full of intel on missions and connections I don’t even understand. He said if I ever needed to buy a favor, this would do it. Give it to Yasmine. Make sure it gets to the right people.”

Dean closed his hand around it. “Thank you for trusting me.”

She shoved her hands into her pockets. “Just don’t let it fall into the wrong hands. You are coming back, right?”

Dean surprised Maeve by pulling her into a hug. “You’re like a baby sister to me. I can’t change the past, but I’ll stand by your side, going forward. And, I promise…you’ll see Wolf again. He’s like a cat with nine lives.”

Before she could answer, he turned away and loaded the drones into the back of his Hummer.

“Ready?” he asked.

Yasmine looked back at the younger kids settled in the back. “I don’t want to leave you, but I want them safe. So, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

Dean took her hand, kissed it, and held on as they rolled out of the hangar. The guards closed the door behind them. The desert stretched ahead, a dark and endless expanse that was silent at this time.