Cosa Nostra: A Steamy Mafia Romance (Kids of The District Book 3), Nicci Harris [read a book txt] 📗

cuts into my complete freak out. Peering into the rear-view mirror again, I can see his eyes are smiling. And even though it’s a bizarre question or statement, I'm not sure which, I still nod.

He explains, "They have a festival down at Stormy River. How about you skip ballet and I pick up your friend, Toni, and take you both there?"

Cassidy

Eating my fairy floss on a stick, I walk alongside Toni as we meander along the boardwalk through a noisy sea of people. To my right, there are local nick-nack stalls one after the other; to my left is Stormy River. Flanking me on both sides. . . are two fricking prams. They are, like, the tenth babies I've seen since we arrived half an hour ago.

What's that all about?

They are coming for you, Cassidy.

The mothers silently chant 'one of us' with their eyes and the babies mock me with their cuteness. I'm like the pregnant woman's version of the crazy cat lady phenomenon. Babies start appearing randomly in my path. On the benches I pass. In the windows of the coffee shops. On a nearby fence. . . Okay, maybe not on a fence. . .

I drag Toni off the main deck and onto the grass, hoping the terrain will mean less prams. We move up a bank towards the glowing lights and hustle and bustle of the showgrounds. As we head towards the screams and laughter of people enjoying the main rides, Carter follows several metres behind us.

My best friend gets scanned from head to toe by almost every oncoming female. While Toni is undeniably gay to me, to strangers, he is equally as beautiful as he is masculine. He is clearly ethnic, but most people have a hard time placing his ancestry. Being both Asian and Italian, he's just a lovely blend. He is built solid from spending most of his time at the gym, and he's confident and funny without restraint or care.

He looks over his shoulder at Carter. "Is it weird that I kinda want to pull him into The House of Mirrors and blow him?"

How am I still surprised by the words that come out of Toni's mouth? "Oh my God, Toni, you have a boyfriend."

His beautiful dark, almond-shaped eyes thin further as he grins. "And? There is something kind of kinky about that man I just can't ignore."

Not wanting to think about Carter like that, I avoid the thought all together. "He's Carter. He doesn't have sexuality as far as I'm concerned."

"Oh, Golden Girl." Toni sighs. "He has sexuality. He is dripping in sexuality."

I cringe, now staring at my fairy floss with revulsion. "Don't say dripping."

He lathers his lips and purrs, "Dripping."

"Ugh." Walking to the nearest bin, I dispose of my sugar-wrapped stick. "He's very professional. And kind. It was his idea to pick you up."

Toni rolls his eyes. "Nice to know someone thinks about me."

Ignoring his pity party, I say, "I need to talk to you. Serious-like."

He stops. Facing me, he folds his arms across his chest. "As serious as a heart attack?"

Breathing the warm spring air into my lungs - it's a floral aroma blending with butter and salt from the popcorn stand beside me - I nod. "As serious as pregnancy."

"No way. . ." His voice trails off and his arms drop to his sides. "You're pregnant!"

Glancing nervously around the crowd, I mutter, "Please tell all of Stormy River."

"You're pregnant!" Toni's eyes leave mine and dart around desperately. "I really need to find The House of Mirrors, like, right now."

I study his tight expression. "Are you mad?"

"Fuck." He grumbles, still searching the area with strange intent. "Yes, I think I am. That careless prick."

"No." I reach for his arm, trying to draw his attention back to me. "It isn't like that. This is on both of us."

He scoffs. "What about ballet?"

My breathing gets a little shallow. "I don't know. I'm still processing."

"Well, I'm your processing partner. Oh look" –he gestures over my shoulder– "The House of Horrors. That's fitting. Let's go."

The house has cracked glass windows set into steep black walls. A tiny door acts as the entrance, opening for each rail cart. Theatrical -eye rolling- groans and howls echo from within its depths. Before we can approach the ticket clerk, someone touches my shoulder. I spin to see Carter, up close and personal. I crane my neck to meet his shaded eyes.

A light grin adorns his rough features. "Sorry, Miss Slater, I can't let you go on that ride. Another ride, maybe?"

Toni's eyes widen. "The House of Mirrors okay with you, Carter?"

I stifle a giggle. "Why not this ride?"

Carter takes a few steps away from me. "Any other ride? One less dark, perhaps."

I contemplate arguing with him, but it probably won't get me anywhere. "Okay." I wrap my hand around Toni's arm. "Let's go find the tea pots. Will you come on them with us?" I beam at Carter. Seeing him in his black suit and men-in-black sunglasses, spinning in a pink teacup would literally make my day - maybe my month.

He nods. "If you want me to, then I will."

Toni and I grin at Carter's expression, a stoic mask covering an amused and maybe light-hearted glimmer.

Toni laughs. "Ha. He almost said that with a straight face. Don’t worry, big guy, we wouldn't do that to you."

Pulling me alongside him, Toni leads us away from The House of Horrors and towards the main oval. We sit down on the grass mound circling it just in time to see the start of some sheep dogs herding their flock through an array of obstacles.

Toni stretches his long, denim-covered legs out in front of him. He begins to rip at the grass beside him, a sure sign he's a little anxious. The topic of my pregnancy sits heavily between us. "How the hell are you so calm? 'Cause you're gonna get so fat."

"I don't know," I admit, ignoring his last sentence. It's as if I've just heard life-altering