The Heir He Left Behind Chapter 08
A week later, at dusk, Landon called. I was walking alone in the plaza outside my building.
There was a small fountain in the middle, and a flock of pigeons was landing on it.
Just as they took flight, my phone rang.
“Miss Cassie,” a deep voice said. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“I have to go on a long trip next month. Personal business.”
His voice was steady. “If I come back safely, I’ll keep my promise. I won’t bother you or the child again.”
“But if I don’t come back… this child will be my only blood left in this world. So, Miss Cassie, would you let
him return to the Rossi family?”
I went cold, gripping the phone. “Are you in danger?”
“Don’t worry. It won’t touch you or the child.”
“Landon, I have another prenatal checkup tomorrow.”
Two seconds of silence.
“Okay. Sorry to disturb you.”
“So, Landon, I probably can’t leave until the day after tomorrow.” I cut him off. “Can you send someone to
pick me up then?”
I heard a faint crackle. On his end, Landon’s breath was less steady than usual.
I put my hand on my belly.
“Day after tomorrow, ten a.m. Is that good?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s settled, Cassie.”
“Okay, Landon. Settled.”
When the call ended, it was two in the morning where he was.
A cold wind blew, thick with the smell of blood, pulling him out of that rare warm moment.
Landon put away his phone. The gentle look vanished.
He walked down the stone steps toward the man kneeling on the ground, shaking uncontrollably.
The man saw the bloodstained leather shoes and lost his mind, prostrating himself and begging.
“Don, spare me! I’ll never do it again! I swear!”
A shoe tip lifted his chin.
“I warned you. Some things you don’t touch.”
“Don…”
“And your men injured three police officers.”
“Don, please! Can I cut off one of my arms to make it right?” “I swear!”
“Too late. David, take him to the station.”
“Don!” The man panicked. In police hands, his crimes would get him the death penalty.
“Think of your wife and children.”
The man went silent.
Landon stepped into the courtyard. An aide handed him a warm towel.
He wiped his hands carefully.
“Clean this up. She’s coming the day after tomorrow. Don’t let her see anything that might scare her.”
The Rossi estate was enormous. Gardens bloomed with flowers that changed with the seasons. Even in
winter, it was lush and green.
The main house was a sprawling white building. He led me to the master suite on the second floor – the
same room where I’d spent the night.
My face went hot.
Landon took my suitcase and dismissed the servants. “Rest. Go wash up. I’ll unpack.”
“Landon, I can do it myself.”
“You’re pregnant. It’s hard enough.”
He took my hand and led me to the couch. I watched him open my suitcase and start putting my things
away.
My outer clothes were fine. But when he touched my underwear, I couldn’t sit still anymore.
“Landon.”
I jumped up and snatched my underwear back from his big hand.
I pulled open the drawer – and found it already full of Landon’s clothes.