Cosa Nostra: A Steamy Mafia Romance (Kids of The District Book 3) by Nicci Harris (new books to read .TXT) 📕

"Actually, I can't wait to show," I admit proudly. The past few weeks have been close to perfect. I've been given a choreographer position for the Nutcracker production this year, allowing me to oversee my second while she trains for Sugar Plum. Max has only left at night once, returning soon after and in a great mood. He finished his research paper and submitted it this morning, which is one less weight on his shoulders.

Right now, though, Victoria's presence in front of me is like a looming toxic fog. I relax slightly when I see Xander approaching the kitchen, his joker makeup slightly warped from the heat. He's still handsome though. Even with the green hair and gash of red paint cutting his face in half. As Toni stares at him, his eyes go sleepy with complete, unabashed lust.

"Mum." Xander clears his throat as if the word was uncomfortable to say. "Dad is looking for you." I've never heard Max refer to her as Mum before. It saddens me to hear it from Xander, knowing he manages to find the term appropriate enough to use, when Max would probably rather cut out his own voice box.

Victoria tips her shoulders. "It's been so nice to catch up."

Balancing on the points of her stilettos with ease, she strides away from us, through the rear sliding doors, and out into the alfresco.

"She is terrifying and fabulous in equal measure," Toni mutters to himself.

I smile at Xander. He winks in return.

He's been the star of my pregnancy so far. He has somehow anticipated my needs over the last few weeks, knowing what steps Max should take, the things he needs to know and learn. He's given us books on parenting and always has something to say on the subject. But there is a rift between the two Butcher brothers. And although it's never been blatant in the form of an argument or discussion, it's apparent in Xander's obsessive need to please Max and in Max's curt response to anything he does.

"You are too fine," Toni says to Xander without a care in the world.

Xander just grins. "Ah, cheers? I think."

Giggling at Xander's chilled response, I turn and start opening cupboards. "I need to find candles."

I hear Xander's laughter as he moves in next to me. "Can you scoot away? You’re going to poke my eye out with one of those things."

"Wouldn't want to do that. They are so fucking pretty," Toni coos.

"Oh my God, Toni. Leave him alone."

"You're getting dangerous to be around, ya know that Toni?" Xander says with a chuckle. Toni has been a frequent visitor since I moved into casa Butcher. Although they would never admit it, I think the Butcher boys kind of like the added dynamic. This house was all alpha male and testosterone. Now, though, there is little ol' me and my bestie sprinkling in the weird like wildfire.

Toni smirks. "You like danger, don't you, Xander?"

My cheeks pinch with a big smile as I watch Xander ignore Toni's blatant objectification. "One, you have a boyfriend. Two, he's straight. So leave Xander alone."

Toni plucks up a single perfectly tweezed brow. "I'm just enjoying the view, Golden Girl. I'm appreciating the effort that must go into creating that tight-"

"I am so cutting you off there!" I state, covering my face with my palms. "Please, please stop talking."

Toni laughs. Having successfully embarrassed me, he casually sips his bright green Martini. I step out from the kitchen and around the island bench. Leaning into Toni a little, I watch the youngest and sweetest Butcher chuckle to himself as he searches for some candles. "I suppose I can't really complain. Get a few drinks in me and I've been known to have a pretty filthy. . . Ah-" He turns and places a box of candles on the breakfast bar. "There ya go. You know you can get the maids to do this stuff, don't you? I don't think any woman besides them has been in this kitchen in years."

"A filthy what? A filthy what?" Toni bounces on the black and chrome bar stool.

Xander leans over the counter, his blue eyes narrowing, his lips curling up on one side. "Mouth."

Toni nearly falls off his stool as he flings the back of his hand to his forehead. "Get this man a few drinks, asap!"

Laughing so hard, I am quickly brought to tears.

As we all chuckle together, Stacey and my sister strut in, dressed in a couple's costume: O Ren and Gogo from Kill Bill. Stacey has her dark-brown hair pulled into a tight Japanese bun, her fringe swept to the side and pinned back with a white flower to match her kimono. Flick is dressed in her old preppy high school uniform, complete with blue blazer and all. She was ecstatic to discover she still fits into it. With white stockings folded neatly below her knees, a pleated skirt, and white dress shirt, she looks the part and fricking gorgeous. With the long black wig and bangs, her face looks even paler than usual, emphasising Gogo's emotional void.

"You two look so hot!" I grin at my sister, who is still a little uncomfortable with everything that's happening. She still needs more time to accept that I really am happy. That Max isn't a bad person, he just sometimes misdirects his anger. And when it comes to me, he has no filter.

She smiles back at me. "You, my little love, are glowing. . . I wonder why?"

I giggle. "It's the glitter."

"Yeah, that's all it is," Toni quips.

"Has anyone seen Bronson?" I ask, peering out and through the crowd. They shake their heads. "What about Max?" They glance at each other sideways before shaking their heads again. I frown at my friends and sister. "They are party poopers; I'm going to find them."

Moving through the ocean of guests, my wings offering me a wide breadth, I search the house.

At the end of the hall, I swing