chapter Fourty-Seven
It’s Time
LaSalle
“She knew you would figure it out when you were ready,” Salvador Romaine says, as I walk into his office.
“You’re the only one in the family she trusted. Phoebe didn’t call many, friend, either. Your mother did everything with intention. It had to be you,” I shrug and take a seat in front of his desk.
“Yes, well the last call would have been to you if you hadn’t come soon. You know my niece loved to play with fire. I may not have the gift of sight, but I know enough.
“I warned her about that ex-husband of hers. Then she came to me to say she would be marrying you. I warned her she didn’t want to tell the family. It wasn’t going to change anything.
“They still weren’t going to accept her. I knew who you were; I knew their greed would know no bounds. I respect you for not placing my sister and brother-in-law’s heads on a stick. Although, shutting down their connections was just the same,” Salvador laughs.
“Longest two years of their life,” I smirk in memory. “It wasn’t wise to come for me. I don’t take kindly to blackmail.”
“Yes, this is true,” Salvador nods. “Well, I have the recording here. Are you ready?”
“Not yet,” I hold my hand up. I sit back and think about what I’m about to reveal. “Jessica and Sammy are showing signs of having a gift.”
Salvador smiles broadly and nods. “Yes, this I know. Mom said Megan will just be a late bloomer to her gift. Jessica will be unique, when your son steps into his calling, Jessica will come into the fullness of her gift. She will be to Sammy what Bobby is to you, but with a little gift to guide her.
“But Sammy…oh, Sammy will be the most unique of all. He sees on a level that is beyond us all. His sight would crumble a lesser man. Do not underestimate him. He will be a force in life. What you start, Sammy will finish. Mom was adamant that you keep them away from my family.
“Your children will grow into their gifts together. It will bond them in life. Don’t concern yourself with the how. It will right itself in time. Now, are you ready,” he says holding his finger over the play button on the device on his desk.
I nod and a few seconds later, Phoebe Romaine’s voice fills the room. I lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees. I have a new level of respect for this woman’s gift.
“Hello, LaSalle. How does it feel to be king?” She chuckles. “Ah, you still haven’t realized that’s who you are. A king of kings. Your sons will follow in your footsteps. They will only know greatness.
“This has always been your path. Hiding doesn’t suit you. I’ve done everything within my power to right my granddaughter’s selfish wrong. If she would have listened, would have let me teach her, she would have known the difference between things you see for yourself and things you impose yourself into.
“You were an imposition. Your energy fed her sight and she allowed herself to step into your world. It was not hers for the taking.
“So, what now you ask? Time waits for no man. You have been dancing away from your destiny long enough. Now, it’s coming for you. The Russian is one of your strongest allies, but he also has the strongest enemies. Pavel hasn’t died without repercussion.
“The piper will come calling on you for that bounty. It is his blood that pulls the strings that are causing you pressure now. Make no mistake, the Krupin women are devious and resourceful.
“Which leads me to your queen. She is one of a kind. She will watch your front and guard your back better than any other. You both have your own armies and will lead them with wisdom and grace. You are the mark of a new era, LaSalle. Mafioso Supreme, but she is the head of La Bella Mafia. Don’t fight it. Allow it and see what happens.
“This is my end. Kiss my grands for me. If you follow what you now know. They will all take the world by storm. Every one of the Locatelli children. Watch my words,” with that the recording ends.
I sit for a few minutes lost in thought. Phoebe’s words make sense. From the information, I received from Loretta Jennings, I knew this problem was coming from Russia. However, Misha’s aunts have been covering their tracks very well.
They have been throwing all this on low lives that don’t add up to much. I know they don’t have the power for this, but this. This makes sense.
I stand and start for the door, calling over my shoulder. “Thank you, Salvador.”
I need to think. I text Paige to check on my pregnant wife. When her reply comes back that Tasha is sleeping, I text back that I’m headed to my office.
~B~
Tasha
It’s been a week since I’ve been here in the hospital. Elijah is hanging in there, but Dr. Dominic wanted me to stay here, on bed rest, to be monitored. If you ask me, I think Dr. Dominic might be a little afraid of my husband.
Speaking of my husband, he won’t tell me what, but I know something is going on with him. Actually, everyone has been acting a bit strange. I can’t wait to get out of here.
On second thought, I grimace as I feel a tiny pain in my back. Nothing like what brought me here, but enough to cause discomfort. It’s happened a time or two this morning.
I look over at Paige, who’s my babysitter this afternoon. LaSalle had to rush into the office for something and hasn’t made it back yet. I watch her, Paige isn’t exactly the one to slip up.
I’ve noticed they haven’t left anyone alone with me that I could crack. I chew on my lip, thinking of how I can pry just the right way. Paige is no fool, if I’m not careful, she’ll see right through me.
“Not going to happen,” she mutters as she highlights something in the documents before her.
I huff and punch the bed. I haven’t even opened my mouth. Paige is no joke, but I need answers.
“Listen, I just want to know why everyone is acting all strange. Did the doctor tell LaSalle something he hasn’t told me?” I pout.
“Nope, you and my nephew are just fine,” Paige says and turns the page.
I blow out a breath and try another tactic. Clearly, she isn’t falling for my BS. I tap a finger on my belly. If I wasn’t so pregnant, I’d kick her ass and make her tell me. I giggle to myself at the thought.
“You and I both know what you’re thinking. You can try it after you drop that baby if you like,” Paige laughs.
“Heifer,” I grumble.
“Love you too,” Paige chuckles.
“Just tell me if my husband is in danger, wench,” I snap.
“Girl, you lucky I know that’s that baby talking,” Paige puts down her pages.
I sigh and rub my forehead. “Paige, it’s not good for me to be stressing.”
“Then, stop,” Paige says, as she narrows her eyes at me.
“I’ll stop when I know what’s going on. I know my husband. He has that look. What’s going on out there,” I snap.
“Mo, you need to be in here relaxing and focused on that baby,” Paige says soothingly.
“Things have changed, haven’t they? Something happened,” I push.
“Whatever is going on, trust that your man is taking care of it and your girls got you,” Paige says, giving me a pointed look.
I go to try again, but the sharpest pain ever cuts me off as the sheets beneath me become drenched. I look at Paige with wide eyes. I try my best not to panic.
“Where is LaSalle? He needs to be here. It’s too soon,” I choke out.
“Relax, Sweetie,” Paige says as she presses the button for the nurse to come. “Everything is going to be fine. I’ll call for him and he will be right here.”
I whimper out in pain, before grinding my teeth. I can do this. I can do anything. My son is coming.
~B~
LaSalle
“Come on, Baby, you can do this,” I coach my wife.
I got here as fast as I could. Good thing I text Paige that I was going into the office. With all the heavy thoughts of Ellen, Phoebe’s message, and the shit storm brewing in my world, I hadn’t noticed the call come in on my phone, which is unlike me.
“Baby, I can’t,” Tasha whimpers.
“Yes, you can. You’re the strongest woman I know. Come on, Baby,” I reply and kiss her forehead.
I know she’s tired. We’re sixteen hours in at this point, but he’s almost here. Even all sweaty with tears swimming in her eyes, Tasha is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen her.
“I just need you to give me one more good push. He’s right here,” Dominic coaches. “Tasha, he needs your help. We need to get him out now.”
Tasha looks up at me and presses her lips. She nods, squeezing my hand. I watch this woman in awe, as she goes somewhere, right before my eyes. I watch her dig deep to do this for our son. With a power I will never have, nor understand, she roars out a push.
My soul quakes, the roar she gives shifts something in my heart. I can feel that this woman is capable of anything. When I hear our son’s cry in response to his mother’s roar, my knees grow weak.
Yes, I’ve had three other children, and each of their births have been miraculous to me. However, as I stand here and look into my wife’s eyes, I know.
This is the queen of my soul. If I’m to be king, it is only right she be at my side. The war is already won, because we are a force within ourselves and we are a force as one.
“Here he is, Little Mr. Elijah,” the nurse says to Tasha.
“Oh, my God,” Tasha sobs. “He is so gorgeous. Look at him.”
I smile proudly. My son is handsome, with a full head of hair and his mother’s lips. His nose is more like mine, but I can see us both, as I stare at him.
“Our little prince,” I smile down at my wife and son.
“He’s perfect,” Tasha says as she runs a finger down his cheek.
“He is,” I smile. For being three weeks early, Elijah is a healthy size boy.
My chest swells. I make some beautiful children. We’re going to have more. Two more, at least, I smile to myself.