Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“Once I found the numbers, I would see what they meant and what they were for in my mind. I don’t know how, but I just knew what they were for. Phone numbers, addresses. Almost always for Dad’s friends in times of need.
“I would know the order to place them in and how to use them and when. When those people came to our house and I called everyone to come help, Jess figured out the connection. That’s also how I was able to help in Ireland.
“She doesn’t know when she’s doing it. She’s honestly just drawing. I’m the one who knows which pictures are for me.
“I find the numbers. I think … I think someday she will know which pictures and when to bring them to me. I’ve seen her do it when we’re bigger.”
“Have you seen anything else about the future?” Mom asks gently.
I nod. “Yes. The man soaked in red. He’s drenched in blood.”
“Who is he?” Dad asks.
“At first, I thought he was you.”
Dad’s brows shoot up into his hairline. “But you don’t anymore?”
“No. He looks just like you, but he’s not you. He’s me. I’m the man soaked in blood. It’s not my blood.
Dad nods and visibly relaxes. “Okay, do you know whose blood it is?”
“The men from the shadows. My enemies and those they love.” I shrug.
For the first time, it all clicks into place and settles. I’m resolved to the path I’ve seen and know I will take. This is who I am.
“They will come for what’s mine and I will show them who I am.”
CHAPTER 12
In Awe of Him
Tasha
My head is spinning as I stand in the kitchen with my girls. I’ve been sharing with them what Sammy shared with me and LaSalle, trying to wrap my head around it. LaSalle and I agreed we want our circle to have at least the basics to help Sammy cope when they’re around him.
Some of the women are with the kids, helping with the party while we’re all in here. Val, Pam, Dean, DJ, and Roni are here as I talk out loud to myself while I sort through my feelings. I trust them all.
“Wow, that’s a lot,” Roni breathes as I take a pause in my thoughts.
I hate this. I don’t know how to feel about any of it. It’s like our world is hell-bent on taking my baby’s innocence from him.
However, as Sammy’s words play in my head, I don’t hear the innocent child I’ve come to know and love. I hear LaSalle’s son.
They will come for what’s mine and I will show them who I am.
I rub the back of my neck and sigh. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all the things Sammy has told us about his gift. Val is sitting across from me with her mouth hanging open.
“Let me get this straight. He’s always in the past, present, and future?”
“Yes, for the most part. He says it’s like watching movies of everyone’s life. Only he can change the channel to see alternate outcomes if he wants, but he’s also in his body living in the moment.
“Really important things pull his focus. Those seem to be the times when he can’t give us his focus,” I reply, not believing or understanding how any of my words are possible even as they come out of my own mouth.
“Do you even understand the type of badass motherfucker he’s going to be?” Dean says. “My uncle would have loved to be his mentor.”
I snort. I have always known Sammy is going to be no joke when he’s a grown man. I already see my husband in him.
Dean is only speaking my own thoughts at the moment, or should I say, Danika. It’s funny how we all know her real name but continue to use Dean to cover her real identity.
It just goes to show how close we all are and how deep our world runs. Everyone has an understanding of who we are and the levels to this.
Some things are just an unspoken fact. Camille and Paige have told me time and again that they know Ellen would never have been able to fill the shoes I now stand in. From the time I spent with her, I know they’re telling the truth.
I shake my head at Dean. “I’m still processing. I will tell you this though I will walk a motherfucker down over my children.
“Play with me if you want. Especially when it comes to that boy. However, I know this time I’m going to have to back off and just be his support.
“I think that’s what I’m struggling with most. To know someone plans to come for him but to not be proactive to take their fucking heads off is killing me.
“I want to dig for answers so bad and make sure he’s never soaked in blood like he says he will be,” I say as tears burn my eyes.