Page 21 of The Don's Hidden Heir

I give it a brief thought, then I sigh because I can’t think of a better replacement for Dominic. “There are thousands of single mothers in the world, Lucas will be fine having just one parent.”

I know I’m being selfish, but I find solitude in the fact I’m not keeping Lucas away simply to hurt Dominic. It’s more complicated than that.

Memories of Dominic chopping off a man’s finger seven years ago seep into my mind. It’s dark, bloody, and gruesome.

It’s a nightmare I can’t expose Lucas to, no matter how heart wrenching it is for me that I have to keep the truth away from Dominic.

“He might be.” She leans in and whispers, “But will you be okay being celibate all your life? Even if you resort to sex toys, nothing feels better than the hands of a man, you know… or a woman.”

She grins when I gasp. “You filthy girl. Is having sex with a woman your latest fetish?” I envy how sexually expressive Moira is, but if I were to be honest, she surprises me sometimes too.

One time, when we were in college, she’d organized a reverse-harem threesome and almost went through with it. One of the guy’s girlfriends pulled up at the hotel and ruined everything.

Moira had no idea he was dating, and she ended up sulking over it for weeks.

Bad times I tell you.

She rolls her eyes and huffs. “No. I like dick way too much for that. I only suggested it since I don’t think you’ll ever let a man who isn’t Dominic get in your pants.”

“I like dick…” I trailed off and threw a hand over my mouth, smothering the words that’d left my lips without permission. “Shit! What did I just say?”

Moira’s eyes twinkles with mischief. She flashes a sly smile at me as she repeats, “I like dick…” She propped her hands beneath her jaw as if thinking. “Let me guess; you were going to say you love dick too much to sleep with a woman.”

Oh, God. I have a feeling she’s going to torment me forever with this.

“Don’t do that, Moira. I’m embarrassed enough as it is,” I say, directing my gaze to a pot on my stove top.

“I will taunt you, but not tonight.” She drags the box of pizza over to herself and takes a piece. “I heard a rumor. I don’t know if there’s an iota of truth to it though, but I thought I’d let you know.” She takes a bite out of her pizza. “It’s about Mr. Peterson.”

“Mr. Peterson?” I lean on the kitchen island, my interest piqued. “What is this rumor about?”

“An anonymous blog released an article stating Mr. Peterson is not the investor and humanitarian we think he is.” She pauses for a drink from my can of unfinished soda. “Heard he’s into all sorts of shady business, including drug trafficking, importing contraband and stuff like that.”

I furrowed my brows. “Isn’t that what the mafia do?”

She inclines her head in a nod. “Yeah. Something like that. I don’t believe it though, he doesn’t seem the type to be involved. I think it’s a mere case of political propaganda. He’s contesting a political seat, and he’s well recognized for his humanitarian services and all that. It’s not rocket science the opposing party will pull some stunts on his public image.”

“Hmm.” One thing I’ve learned from my relationship with Dominic is to never trust anyone too much. “You can’t be too sure.”

She tsks. “Who cares if he makes his money illegally? Our company is benefitting from his investments.”

I glance at my friend and shake my head. “You give me more reasons to understand why you chose to become a lawyer.”

She scrunches her nose. “Why?”

“Mr. Peterson is our latest investor. A slight scandal linked to his name will affect our stock, and it will in turn affect how much the company pays you.”

She straightens up and gapes at me, as if I’d just announced the second coming of a messiah. “In that case, I hope he’s as clean as a neatly shaved dick.” She chuckles at her own joke. “I need a new car, and a new designer bag.”

“Your needs are endless,” I mutter with a grin. “I wonder what you’ll do with all that designer stuff you get.”

“I’ll look at them every morning and smile to myself. You have no idea how much happiness luxury brings.”

I lift a brow. “I do. Try having a kid, you’ll be surprised at how much happiness comes with being a mother.”

She waves off my suggestion like I’m asking her to rob a bank. “No, thanks. I’m better off being the rich and cool aunty. Babysitting is the most I can do.”

“Mmm, so you say,” I retort with a grin.

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