Page 31 of Dark Reunion

Nods, reluctant but real. The spark of something dangerous flickered in their eyes.

Ricco cleared his throat. “You’re building momentum, Dean. Men are watching the differences. Not all are loyal, but some fear him and the American military too much to come forward. Fear isn’t the same as loyalty, but just as dangerous.”

Dean gave a sharp nod. “Fear we can turn. Show strength and safety, and fear can be a spear.”

A sound of boots passed the door and the group froze. The bulb swayed. Then the footsteps faded.

Dean looked at Ricco. “Meeting’s over. Go home. Be ghosts. Give Ricco any intel you find, anything at all can be helpful.”

One by one they slipped out, vanishing into tunnels and then the compound.

When the last of them were gone, Dean caught Ricco by the arm.

“Stay,” he murmured.

Ricco hesitated, then shut the door again. The two of them stood alone beneath the dim light, the bulb’s low hum filling the silence.

Dean lowered his voice, every word a risk. “I need more than men ready to slit Carlos’s throat. I need an army outside these walls. Can you get a message out?”

Ricco’s eyes narrowed. “Depends…who is it to? How much risk do you want me to take?”

Dean stepped closer, close enough the bulb etched shadows across their faces. “The Alvarez family.”

Ricco stiffened. “Are you out of your mind? The Alvarez family will gut you and kill me on sight, and that’s before your father finds out and does worse.”

“Not if the message is about their daughter.” Dean’s voice dropped even lower. “Isabella Alvarez. Tell him she’s alive. Tell him she’s in danger. If Mr. Alvarez want to ever see her again, he agrees to a private meeting. Just the two of us.”

Ricco stared like Dean had just slit his own throat. “If Carlos finds out⁠—”

“It’s a risk I need to take. We need the men. Can you do it?”

Ricco sighed. “You’re gambling with your life.”

Dean’s mouth curved in sad smile. “Every day I breathe under this roof is a gamble.”

Ricco studied him, jaw working. Finally, he nodded. “I can try. No promises. But I can try.”

Dean clapped him once on the shoulder, firm. “That’s all I need.”

Ricco left first, and Dean waited until the next guard swap was complete before he ventured out.

The risk of all of this was enormous, the fallout inevitable. But Maeve needed to remain safe and there were only two people that could accomplish that. Trev and her father. Señor Alvarez would want to meet, and if he agreed to Dean’s terms…maybe Carlos’s empire suffer its first crack in the foundation of his power.

And Dean intended to drive a knife straight through it.