Page 12 of Nikki Sinatra: For Her Lover
Marco Sinatra grabbed up his baby sister, kissed her on the cheek, and held her tightly. “There’s the queen of the world. The queen is here!”
He walked over to the table with Kimmie still in his arms. “Hey Ma,” he said as he hugged Nikki.
“How you doing, Marco? Your father insists you’re still in Peru.”
“That’s news to me,” he said and Nikki laughed. “Hey Pop.” He sat at the table with Kimmie on his lap.
“Just got back?”
“Yup.”
“What happened?”
“I found the clog in the system and unclogged it.”
“Where was the clog? Spain?”
“France. They failed to register two shipments. We determined it was more laziness than subterfuge.”
“Did you double check it?”
“I triple checked it because I knew you were going to be up my ass if I didn’t.”
“Watch your language,” Nikki said. Then she stood up. “I’ve got to get going.”
Teddy looked at her. “What’s your schedule like today?”
“Work and more work. Yours?”
It wasn’t what Teddy wanted to hear. “Same.”
“Come on, Kimmie.” Nikki grabbed her from out of Marco’s arms. “Time for your studies. Your teacher has already arrived.”
“A two-year-old in full-blown school,” said Marco. “Now that’s how you raise a genius.”
“Uncle Reno didn’t do all that with Carmine and he’s a genius,” Teddy said.
Marco laughed. “True that. But I think Carmine’s genius is on Auntie Trina’s side of the family. Not the Gabrini side. Which is also the Sinatra side. His natural smarts isn’t on our side at all. We have to work at it.”
When Teddy gave him that look, he held up his hands. “My view, Pop. My view.”
“Anyway, said Nikki, “I’ll get her to the nanny and her teacher and then I’m heading on out. But since you’re here, Marco, I’m going to borrow your car today until I can get to a dealership.”
“Borrow my car? What’s wrong with yours?”
“She totaled it,” said Teddy.
Marco was shocked. He looked at his stepmother. “You okay, Ma?”
“I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’m fine. But can I borrow your car?”
“But how did you total your car? What happened?”
“Just answer my question. Can I borrow your car, Marco?”
“But how was you planning on getting to work if I didn’t show up?”
“One of our gate security guys is going to let me use his car today.”
