LaSalle,
I will call you this now, as I believe this is who everyone knows you as. This is who you always were. Don’t worry. I know I was never meant to meet this side of you.
My purpose was far different than Monique’s. I’m sorry. Tasha’s.
You know her as Tasha, as you should. While I could give Sammy the gift of sight, Tasha will help you give Sammy the gift of being a ruler. It begins now, LaSalle.
You will need to put your pride aside and allow them all to do their parts. The Russian, the Italians, and the Irish lot, they all have something to impart. The Donatis will help him feel understood.
Uri is not trying to take your place. Sammy will just find a lot of himself within their family. Misha will help him to understand one of his greatest challenges and how to handle it in the end.
However, once the others are done, he will come to you for the finishing touch. Then and only then will he be prepared to become greater than you. It isn’t wrong to allow him to be prepared.
You aren’t a bad father for allowing this to be. You may have slain one dragon, but you didn’t burn the nest. Sammy will be the one; he will lead those who will set flames to your enemies once and for all.
They have gone into hiding and will come out to challenge his rule, not yours. What the world will take as his greatest weakness will become his greatest strength. Like you, Sammy will not be loud in his power, but he will be heard. Allow him to find his voice.
Although you and Tasha will want to fight his battles for him, you will learn he will never start a war he can’t win, and he will never lose a war he didn’t start.
Be there to pull him back from the edge, but don’t stop him from stepping toward it. Understand he sees where he’s going and that’s why he’s about to embark on this journey.
Eleven is a big year for him. It’s the year he begins to see much further. Seconds have become hours. Hours will becomedays. Soon, it will all consistently turn into specific times and moments.
Hold him when he comes to you. You will always be his anchor. Your family will always be his reason.
You’re doing great, LaSalle. My quiet storm. My king of kings. The Don of Dons.
Love,
Ellen
I wipe at the single tear that falls as I finish reading the letter. It’s insane to me that she knew to write this letter. I have so much guilt over bringing my sons into this world. Elijah, at six, clings to Logan whenever he’s around.
Sammy and Uri already have this thing between them. While I do feel a little jealous at times, I would never interfere with their bond. Uri and Micheal have done a lot to help Sammy.
I can add Sim to that as well. When Misha is stateside, he spends time with Sammy also. It seems this all has always been inevitable.
I read the letter once again to see if there is something I’ve missed. I frown as I think of Sammy’s words from earlier.
It is me they will challenge next. Her words will free you for what’s to come, what the others have to do. Who I must become.
I clench my jaw. We thought we finished this war, but it seems it’s not mine to end. I have started something my son will finish. I snort.
I’ve looked into my son’s eyes. He will be no Sam. Sammy has known who he is from the time he was a small boy. His war with himself will not be the same—if he has one.
If they want to take on Locatelli blood, so be it. My boy will be ready.
CHAPTER 11
Happy Birthday
Sammy
I wake up feeling anxious.I will receive a letter from my mom this year. I’ve seen my father hand it to me. Mo-mo will ask me if I need her to read it to me, but I will read it for myself.
I’m a big boy now. In all honesty, I understand a lot more than everyone thinks. I can’t wait to see what my mother has said.
It is my hope it will help with the visions I’ve been having. Things have been different. It’s all changing.
