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“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 pinchmy 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.”