Page 27 of The Don's Hidden Heir

It’s a battle to not get lost in thought right now. This kid is just like his mother. They’re both talkative and they’re the sweetest and cleverest people I’ve ever met. “Nothing, kiddo. You should go inside.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone outside,” he argues. “I’ll call my Mom, she’ll take you to the doctor.” He removes his backpack and start to take his phone out but I grab it from him. “Don’t. I’m fine.”

He shrugs. He’s such a cute boy. “If you insist.” He puts his backpack on and takes his phone from me. “I’m sorry, but I have to go now.”

I force another smile and pat his head. “Go on.”

He runs through the red gate and I wait for him to enter the orange building towering above me before I rise to my feet. For some reason, my legs wobble, as if my bones have dissolved into rubber.

He is six years old.

That means Elena had him only a few months after we broke up.

That means…he is my son.

Chapter Eight

Elena

“I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t go in,” my personal assistant, Ava, yells from the hallway. “You can’t…”

The door to my office opens before she can finish her sentence, and a figure in black Armani suit comes in. Our eyes meet and I recoil in my seat from how he’s glaring at me as if he’s barely holding back from wrapping his fingers around my neck.

Jesus. What’s Dominic doing here, and why is he looking at me like that?

Ava runs in after him, she’s panting as she glances between us. “I’m sorry, Ms. Marconi. I told him not to come in but he wouldn’t listen. I’ll call security.”

I’m scared and I don’t know that I want to have any conversation with Dominic when he’s fuming, but something tells me he won’t be leaving until he settles whatever score he has with me.

My heart is pounding as I wave at Ava. “That won’t be necessary, Ava. You can return to your desk now.”

“Are you sure, Ms. Marconi?” She glowers at Dominic and then her gaze softens when she looks at me.

I nod because I can’t muster any words.

“I’m only a phone call away if you need me,” she says. She gives Dominic one last venomous glare before she walks away.

My pulse skyrockets once she closes the door, and my stomach churns nervously. “What are you doing here?” I ask. Shivers rush down my spine, but it doesn’t stop me from noticing how goddamn handsome Dominic is.

His curly, dark, hair glints off the overhead light and the sunlight pouring in from the glass wall. His suit is not doing a good job at hiding his broad shoulders and all the muscles underneath.

He tucks his hands into his slacks and ambles to the window. He stares over the city for an eternity before he finally speaks. “Why did you keep my son away from me?”

My lungs empty like a popped balloon.“What do you mean?” I ask, trying not to let on I’m starting to panic, but the tremble in my voice betrays me.

Dominic knows about Lucas. I don’t know how or why, but the fact he’s asking means he does. I shouldn’t try to play dumb or lie to him, but I can’t help it.

I need to protect Lucas.

He twists his head in my direction. “Don’t try to play smart with me, Elena.” A storm rages in his eyes, and it’s followed by the growl in his voice.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, my voice a bare whisper. I look away from him. I can’t make myself look straight in his eyes while I lie to him.

The tension in the air is palpable, the silence louder than any words either of us could ever say.

Thump…thump…thump.

My heartbeat quadruples when he prowls closer. My hands begin to shake as adrenaline streams into my veins. They’re cold and sweaty so I clamp them between my thighs so he won’t see.

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