Page 26 of The Don's Hidden Heir

“I don’t love her,” I bite out. My heart lurches whenever I see her, and my stomach twists in ways I don’t like, but I think it’s just a wave of nostalgia. I’d been really drawn to her once and now… Fuck! I’m losing my damn mind.

There’s no logical reason why I’m stalking her so early in the morning. I’m just not the kind of guy to do something so embarrassing, yet here I am. The worst thing is, I could maneuver the car the other way and go about my day, but I’m determined to see this to the end.

“Yeah, you don’t.” His tone is sardonic as he says it. “I wonder why we’re out this early in the morning chasing a woman you don’t even like.”

I twist my head to him. “One more word from you and you’ll lose a tooth.”

My brother grins like he used to when we were teenagers. “I’ll take a bullet for you brother, but I’m not in the mood to lose a tooth today,” he says.

I sigh and the car is almost silent but for the beat of my heart in my ears.

Shortly after, I come to as stop behind Elena’s car. We’re parked in front of a school. The kid gets out and waves at Elena as she drives off.

I roll in just as she drives away and unstrap my seat belt with urgency.

“Where are you going?”

I glance at my brother, then back to the boy who’s still staring at Elena’s car as she drives away. “I need to confirm if she’s really his mother and if she’s seeing someone. I’ll be right back.”

My thoughts are erratic and I’m unable to think straight as I stride towards the boy. When he turns to me and his eyes meet mine, I halt.

Something’s not right.

I hadn’t noticed it from afar, but aside from his hair being as dark and curly as mine, he has blue eyes and a sharp jaw like every other Romano in the world.

He has an uncanny resemblance to my brothers and me.

His smile fades when I close the gap between us and squat in front of him. “Hey, little guy.”

“My name is Lucas.” He looks at me from head to toe. “Who are you?”

“I’m a friend of your Mom. Elena Marconi is your Mom, right?”

He narrows his eyes on me. “My Mommy doesn’t have any friends except Aunt Moira. Are you her boyfriend?”

It’s impossible to bite back my smile. “Something like that.”

He frowns. “Are you my Daddy then?”

It feels wrong, but I shake my head anyway. “Where’s your Daddy?”

He furrows his brows and drops his gaze to the ground. “I don’t have one. Mommy says he’s faraway.”

Something in me snaps at that information. There’s no way it’s a mere coincidence this kid is walking around with a face which looks just like mine. He’s Elena’s son and he doesn’t have a dad.

It can only mean one thing…

I try to connect the dots and a bell begins to clang in my head, but there’s one finallittlepiece of the puzzle left. His hands are small in mine when I take them. “How old are you, kiddo?”

“I’m six years old.” He pouts and starts to kick something in the paving. “Aunt Moira says I’m a baby, but I’m not. Mommy doesn’t think I’m a baby either.”

My stomach twists violently.

“Are you okay? You look sick.” He scrutinizes my face. “I can call 911. My Mom taught me to call the cops if I’m sick or in danger.”

I force a smile. “I’m not sick, kid. I’m just a little shocked.”

“Why?”

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