Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
W arnings
LaSalle
“You wanted to speak to me?” Wyatt says as he walks into my office.
I look up from the contracts I’ve been looking over. I need a break from this shit. Sometimes I wonder if these idiots would send me shit like this if they knew who they were dealing with.
I have a mind to let this deal go. The terms they have set are bullshit at best. I thought I could get my mind off LaSalle’s world for a bit, but this hasn’t helped in the least.
I nod for him to take a seat. “Logan feels I need to address this. No disrespect to Toby. The seat is his.
“I respect his play and what he has brought to the table, but you and I know you were the one we had our eye on. We chose you. Logan wanted you.”
He shrugs. “Things change. I’ll support my brother, so not all is lost.”
“Toby is young. He stepped up for his family. Logan and I admire that, but it was meant to be you with Noah as your second.
“Uri and I have been working with you all this time in the shadows. Logan’s disappearance threw everything off. I’ve been pivoting to move things forward.
“I can’t allow that to fall apart now. We just want you to think about it. Don’t step down from where we were going to place you. You will still remain a hidden leader, but we want you in leadership.”
“How long do I have to think about it? I’m still wrapping my head around all this shit.”
“I need to know by the time your cousin returns.”
He purses his lips as he seems to sit in thought. I give him time to think. I know what we are asking for is a lot.
“We know this all started with my grandfather. I respect his wishes. I see the vision.” He pauses in thought. “Sam, do you feel like there’s something we’re missing? We know where the immediate problem is coming from. Uri will find Zuko, but I can’t help feeling like there’s a bigger picture, much like my grandfather is the grandmaster of all this.
“You and Logan are heading things, but strings were pulled outside of both of your control and I’m not just talking about Oland.”
“Yes … this has been on my mind. Oland has orchestrated a lot, but he’s not alone. The problem is, while we have been open in our intentions, they have known better and are not.
“We’re playing the game a move at a time. As the smoke clears the board, we make our moves. At this point, time will tell; we’ve built a strong foundation. Logan?—”
“Honey, I’m sorry to interrupt,” Ellen says as she pokes her head into the room.
“What’s up?”
“There’s a man here to see you. He says it’s urgent.”
I lift a brow. I never bring business home. Family business or personal. No one should be at my front door.
I reach under my desk for the piece mounted underneath. Wyatt catches my eye. I give him a nod. With all that’s been going on, we’re all on high alert.
Which leads me to wonder who the fuck has lost their mind. Sam fades away as I get ready to destroy whoever has the audacity. However, Ellen speaks up and sends LaSalle back to his box.
“He says his name is Justin Michelson. He’s the attorney of Freddie Philips.”
I relax, but my brows shoot up in question. Freddie Philips has been gone for four years now. Why would his attorney be here to see me now?
“Should I go?” Wyatt asks.
I hold up my hand for him to remain seated. “No. I have a feeling you should stay,” I reply, trusting him.
“Show him in,” I say to Ellen.
She nods and ducks back out. I sit, working my jaw as we wait. I don’t like surprises.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Mairettie. Thank you for seeing me,” the dark-brown man says as he enters my office. “My name is Justin Michelson. Mr. Philips asked me to come to see you to deliver this to you at such a time as this.”
“And what time would that be?”
“The moment the pieces have begun to move. I was to watch for certain events before coming to see you. One of which was the pending release of your friend and partner, Logan O’Brien.”
“Are you telling me you were aware of where he has been all this time and you’re just coming forward?” I seethe.
“Yes, I have known. You will understand why I couldn’t intervene. It had to be this way. Although it wasn’t the easiest task to watch the dealings of an Irish prison. Please read the correspondence,” he says nervously.
I pick up the envelope he dropped on my desk. Pulling the letter out, I unfold it with a million questions on my mind. As soon as I open it, I recognize the handwriting. Freddie had pristine penmanship.
Dear young friend,
If you are reading this, Phoebe Romaine has done it again. She called me about six months ago with a warning. She told me my time was coming and I had two options.
I could allow it to run its course now, or I could prevent it and allow others I care about to become involved. In turn, losing everything and changing all you, the others, and I have worked for. She also told me that the horsemen were coming to an end.
My first thought was, Why warn me? If you and the Irish kid were going to try to wipe us off the board, why should I care what happens to any of you?
However, as she continued, it became clear that she meant something else entirely. I have been right about the past and it will not remain the past, but it’s not mine to right. Karma will ensure that the structure you were planning for will be at stake.
The players are all changing. Phoebe couldn’t tell me which horseman would be responsible for the fall. What she did assure me of was that a new regime would rise from the ashes.
Truths will build you a stronger foundation. Loyal soldiers. The horsemen won’t be over.
They will just be over as you and I know it. It’s time for you to meet my son, but only you. I bet you’re making a face.
Do you remember what I said to you the first time you told me I didn’t have a son?
I pause and think back to that day. I knew then that he was the only horseman without an heir. He told me not to worry because he was training his son to take his place.
“I understand your concerns, LaSalle. You are right. Marlow and Dayton aren’t an option to step up in my absence and neither of their sons could take my place.
“Percy has no interest, and he has shielded his sons from our world. He has other plans for his replacement, but worry not. My son will fill my shoes seamlessly. You will have the alliance you seek from our end.”
I looked him in the eyes and narrowed my gaze at him. He only smiled as if he knew what I was thinking. I had wondered if the man was losing his mind.
“Freddie, you don’t have a son,” I replied.
“If I don’t have a son. This alliance will never be, and LaSalle Locatelli will go on to be forgotten. Sam Mairettie will be a leader of industries, nothing more.”
“When do I meet this son?”
“You don’t. I gave you a courtesy allowing you to see my face. As the head of the horsemen, you and your friends never should have met me.
“You will only meet my replacement if it becomes necessary. I have taught my son the art of remaining invisible. Something you understand very well.”
I blink the memory away. Freddie had always been intentional. There wasn’t a move made without ten steps set up to follow. I shake my head and continue to read.
You are reading this, so it is time to meet the head. Phoebe warned that should the day come for this revelation, you were the only one worthy at this time. Loyalties are questionable. There are factors you’re not seeing yet.
You are being watched and they think they know all your moves and pieces. Allow my replacement to be your hidden hand. They will play my part better than I can.
They will have to establish themself without your help. However, you will watch for the time to step in. For now, you will become a friend.
Make yourself known. Reintroduce yourself. By now, you know I’ve always spoken to you, Logan, and Ronan in code. You are a smart young man.
You have met my sun before. Put the pieces together and let her know you are a friend. You will need her in the coming battle. Phoebe gave you guys about a year or two before the turn and the subsequent war.
Baby Girl needs to remain underestimated and unseen. This is how you’ll get your strength from our end. Phoebe promised my girl’s wrath will consume you all if she’s forced into the light too soon. If she gets too close too soon and learns how deep and how far the betrayal runs.
Remember how I was revealed to you. I have made her ten times the boss I was. Allow her to use whoever she shows you as her face. Allow her to take the time she needs. It’s for a reason. You will know when the time has passed.
Someone you cherish will roar and turn your head to your new options. It will be then that you will see the new horsemen regime for yourself. You will know it’s time and you will know exactly what to do. Then and only then should you reveal her to the others at the table who she hasn’t found on her own. Don’t fail me, LaSalle. Failing me will be failing the entire Alliance.
I pinch my brow in confusion as I let the words on the page sink in. I think to call Phoebe for myself. However, I know she always contacts the person the message is for.
As a rule, we never give her information or details about our dealings and business. This had to be over four years ago, so I’m not even sure she would know what she told Freddie. Then it clicks and I sit back in my seat.
“Sunshine,” I murmur under my breath.
Freddie didn’t have a son, but he had a niece whom I met on a few occasions. He would call her baby girl or sunshine—never her real name. However, thinking of how I met Freddie the first time, I can’t see that doll-faced young woman as the new head of the New York organization.
Then another meeting comes to mind. I had arrived after Freddie and one of his guys had terminated a problem. The scene looked a lot like the first time I met Freddie, but I remember not seeing the other person with him.
There, however, was the sound of heels clicking in the distance and a familiar feminine scent that lingered. It was her. His niece.
His sunshine is his son. His sun. I need to find his niece.
“Is everything okay?” Wyatt asks as he stares at me in confusion.
“Yes, it’s fine. Mr. Michelson, you may leave. Thank you for delivering this letter.”
“Oh, but there is one more thing. Mr. Philips was insistent that I reiterate to you that none of the other horsemen know about this.” He pauses to pull out a piece of paper and clears his throat before reading from it. “The snake will reveal himself in time and it might not be anyone you suspect. This one has to run its course.”
Without another word, Michelson turns and heads out of the office. I sit staring at the door he leaves through. After a moment, I shake my head and turn my attention back to Wyatt.
“Wyatt, I will be waiting for your decision. For now, see if you can help Uri locate Zuko. I also want to know who else he’s been working with. See if you can connect him to Oland.
“You’re right. There are others at play here. It’s time we compile a list of our enemies. I want targets before Logan gets home.”
“I’m on it.”