His Pretty Little Burden (Kids of The District, #4)

by Nicci Harris

With my eyes still closed, I mumble, “You have a family, Sir.” My mouth strains around each word while my mind refuses to settle on a state of consciousness. “You say you weren’t home, that you didn’t grow up with them, and that is your excuse for...” I don’t know if I’m even talking aloud or if I’m dreaming this verbal heave of insight. I chuckle. “Straight lines and pressed shirts and three meals a day. No cake without dinner. Don’t say sorry unless you mean it. Conventions. And, yes, Sir. No, Sir... but what I think, Sir, is that you don’t want a home because you don’t know who you are outside of business. You don’t want to have a family around because you don't know how to behave unless it’s Big Mafia Boss Butcher. Sir, you're institutionalised. You don’t know how to be... just Clay... just, iddy-biddy Clay Butcher.” I hum my amusement again, still talking in a kind of sleep and drug-induced stupor. “Xander wants to impress you, ya know? He is dying to be noticed by you. Do you see him? I see him trying so hard... I think those bruises, the fights, they are for you. To get you to notice... I see myself in him. I know what it’s like to beg for attention. I have spent my whole life trying to get noticed and no one did until I got pregnant with an important man’s grandson and now... You don’t appreciate what that means, Sir... to a girl like me. I was hoping my dad would notice me... I was hoping he would take me, too, ya know? Take us.” Only some words reach my tongue, t...