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.
“Daddy,” Tate yelled excitedly, spotting him first. He launched off the swing, bare feet kicking up dust. Aiden was right on his heels, and they hit Dean so hard he almost lost his balance. Dean scooped them up, swinging them around in a circle until they were all dizzy.
“I’ve missed you two.” Dean kissed the tops of the twins’ heads.
“We missed you too, Daddy. Oh, you have to come see the horses. Mr. Alvarez is teaching us to ride. When I get older, he said that I can choose my own stallion.”
Dean’s eyebrows rose. “Did he now?”
The boys nodded. “Both of us,” Aiden added.
Great…horses.
“You back now?” Tate asked.
“Yes, work is all done, we’re going to go home tomorrow. You'd better go play a bit longer before we have to pack.” Dean sat the boys down as they cheered and ran to the massive swing tire that could swallow them whole.
Yasmine walked toward him, and his heart ached at the sight of her. “You made it.” She looked him over. “And in one piece.”
“Told you I’d come back. I’m never leaving you again.” Dean wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her closer. He kissed Andrés's forehead, who was sound asleep, before he cupped her face.
Yasmine’s smile trembled. “I believe you.”
She touched his jaw where a bruise was still dark. They stood like that for a long moment, and he didn’t fill her in on the graphic details. They simply let the quiet settle around them, savoring the peace.
“So, it’s over?” Yasmine asked.
“It’s really over.”
A tear trickled down her cheek. “Good.”
Later, Dean sat on the porch rail with the twins leaning against him while Yasmine rocked in the swing.
Inside, Maeve’s voice drifted through the open window—soft laughter mingling with her parents’ and Wolf’s.
The sky burned orange to violet, and for the first time in years, Dean felt the world tilt back toward right.
He could finally breathe.
TREV
Hours later and miles away, a black Hummer rolled into Trev’s driveway and down into the secret parking garage. He and Arek climbed out at the same time, the air feeling light in comparison to the heat and dust they’d left behind.
“I still can’t believe he had to live there for a whole year,” Arek said, and shrugged. “I don’t know that I could’ve done that.”
“When it comes to protecting your family, especially your children, you’ll be surprised what people are willing to endure,” Trev answered as they stepped into the house and rode the elevator up to the main level.
Light glowed in the front room, and a moment later Cody stepped into the hall, sketchbook in hand, pencil tucked behind one ear. As soon as their eyes met, he smiled.
“Catch ya in the morning,” Arek called, heading to his section of the home.
“Night.”
Trev turned his attention back to Cody as he walked closer.
“Took you long enough,” Cody drawled, teasingly.
Trev barked a laugh, every line of exhaustion cracking open. “Had to stop and save the world first. So pesky when the bad guys decide they want world domination.”
“Pesky indeed.”
Cody pulled him in. It wasn’t gentle, but it was everything that Trev needed. The smell of soap, coffee, and home filled Trev’s lungs.
“You’re not allowed to worry me like that again,” Cody muttered against his lips.
“About that...”
Cody leaned back and stared at him, worry filling his silvery eyes.
“You’re looking at the new leader of the Righteous.”
“Oh, is that all? Here I thought you were going to say you decided to run a massive secret military organization, and our lives would forever be a spy novel.” Cody smiled wide, tugging Trev’s hand.
“Why don’t you come on over to the couch and I’ll fix you your favorite drink while you tell me all about it. ”
“I have a better idea, and it involves getting you naked,” Trev growled.
Cody’s eyes lit up. “Then get your ass down to the bedroom,” Cody ordered.
Trev smiled. “For once, I might even take orders.”
Cody snorted. “Unlikely, but that’s part of the reason why I love you.”
Trev stopped Cody and looked into his eyes, not believing how lucky he was.
“I love you too,” Trev whispered, letting the words find their place.
Cody smiled. And just like that, the world was right again. No bad guys, no responsibility, or anything else to get in the way. Simply…perfect.
AREK
Arek pushed the bedroom door open quietly. Renee stirred, half-awake, reaching toward the nightstand. “If that’s not you, I’m shooting,” she murmured.
“Then shoot,” he said, voice low, teasing her. “But you better not miss, I’ve taught you better than that.”
Her head snapped up, now fully awake. When she saw him—bruised, grinning, but alive— she launched from the bed and ran straight into his arms. “I thought I was never—”
“You think too much,” he interrupted, catching her mouth in a kiss, tasting the relief on her lips. She laughed against them, the sound small and disbelieving.
“God, I missed you,” he groaned.
“I missed you more.”