Just as Lisa put her arm out to stop Gio the door flew open.
“I’m home!” It was Nikko, and with his smile came a warm gust of wind. The room was deadly silent. “Well, hell, I expected at least a hello.” His grin was full of mischief.
Chapter 20
Oh, Brother
“Hi, Nikko,” Lisa was the first to speak.
She began to approach the door, and he met her half way. Giving her a small hug, he pulled back, and then chucked her under the chin. “Now, where is the kid? Where is my nephew?”
Lisa heard the note of disappointment in his voice, but continued to smile. She owed these Marino men, all of them an apology. “He’ll be here soon. I’m sorry, I kept this from you. I hope in time you will come to understand.”
Nikko nodded as he passed around her to reach his brother. “Yo Daddy-O. Big pops. Old man,” he teased.
Gio just shook his head at his brother’s silly antics. He was normally the one with the silly one liners. “Cut the crap, Nikko. I’ll put you over my knee. I need the practice.”
“Ouch,” Nikko made a fake pained expression. “Did the old man lose his sense of humor?”
Gio cracked a smile. “I’ll show you who is old.” And then he grabbed Nikko and put him in head lock so quick, the whole room gasped. Lisa stood back, and then burst out laughing. They hadn’t changed at all. She loved it and clapped her hands in glee. She felt sixteen again. She hadn’t seen this side of Gio, since he arrived. This was her Gio. Fun loving, go lucky, Gio. Not the brooding man he had been these past few days. Having Nikko here might help rather than preventing them from making progress on their own personal situation. She knew he would be helpful with the investigation, but a small part of her had worried that having him around might put a distraction there that would not allow her and Gio to talk this thing out. But now, she saw that having Nikko there, might just help. He would bring back a little normalcy to a very un-normal situation.
Nikko worked his way out of the head lock, and Gio released him when he heard the other men behind him begin to comment. He quickly made the introductions, and explained they would be working, for a dollar, for Alex’s firm. Nikko heard the undercurrent in his brother’s voice, and would ask about that later. But he signed the contract, understanding the reasons behind it.
Gio was pleased when the attorneys then made their excuses and a hasty getaway. They had much to do. They agreed to a conference call the next day at five o’clock.
That left Gio, Nikko, and an anxious Lisa, who excused herself to the kitchen to make sandwiches. She wanted to give the brothers a bit of time alone to catch up, but also wanted to keep busy until her son arrived. Making sandwiches gave her the excuse she needed, and she figured everyone would be hungry.
“Sit man, sit,” Gio ordered when Lisa slipped into the kitchen.
“You look like hell, by the way,” Nikko murmured as he got comfortable on the sofa, and Gio took a seat in the wing chair next to him.
“Thanks a lot.”
Nikko noticed the dark circles under his brother’s eyes. “Not getting much sleep?” he insinuated with his eyebrows. If he knew his brother like he thought he did, Gio was doing other things besides sleeping at night.
Gio didn’t miss the suggestive comment and answered honestly. “Um, yeah, there is that, but I’ve been working too.”
“Mm-hm,” came the reply.
“I know, it does complicate matters. But you know how I am with her.” He used his chin to indicate the area of the kitchen. He’d also dropped his voice down so Lisa would not over hear their current conversation.
“Oh, I know how that is.” Nikko was thinking back to his own recent events. “So, what’s doing? Where is this headed?”
“I don’t know. But I’m cooling it now. I, we,” he corrected, “need to focus on the case. I want to get to know my son. So I’m real glad you’re here. Thanks.”
“Of course.”
“Ronnie’s not mad, is she?”
“Nah, she understands by now. Plus, she is redecorating the apartment, and just started her new job.” Nikko rolled his eyes, and Gio couldn’t help but laugh. Nikko’s bachelor pad was sparse. He could only imagine what Ronnie was doing with the place. She was a tomboy herself, but still a woman.
“I can only imagine,” he teased.
“Well don’t imagine too hard,” Nikko quickly retorted.
Again, Gio laughed. “My son should be here soon,” he announced tapping his foot nervously. “I can’t wait for you to meet him. A real little man.”
Nikko heard the note of pride in his tone. “Can’t wait to meet him too, Gio. It’s pretty fantastic. A few months ago, it was just us. Now we got Ronnie, Bella, and Johnny. Monica’s twins are due any day. Our family is growing. What about?” Again Nikko indicated the other room.
“I don’t know man. I know I’m still attracted to her. Powerfully. I was about to clobber her attorney when you walked in. But, I have some serious trust issues now.”
“Understandable. But, why the attorney?” he asked his interest piqued.
“The way he looks at her.” Gio shook his head derisively.
“Ah, the old green eyed monster is back, I guess.”
“I guess. You know I never felt that way about anyone else. I just don’t know if it’s enough, you know.”
“I know. Being cooped up together like this must not make it any easier.”
“Got that right. Thrown together. Judge ordered it. Afraid she is a flight risk because she’s got her own money.”
“So, what do you need me to do?”
Gio was relieved when Nikko changed the subject. He explained the particulars, about the van to monitor Albert’s activities, and Nikko nodded his understanding.
“I’ll need you to keep tabs on him during the day, and at night, especially if he goes out.”
“Understood. So, it’s going to be long days and nights. The van got a cot?”
“I think so, sorry.”
“It’s okay. It is what I’m here for.”
“I appreciate it, and I’ll relieve you when I can.”
“Nah, you be here for your son. I get it. I’m ready to work. Andreas has been giving me nothing but light duty.”
“You were shot,” Gio reminded his brother.
“I’m recovered, and that was months ago.”
“Shot,” Lisa stopped mid step into the living room, carrying a pitcher of lemonade to the dining room table.
“Long story,” Gio murmured getting up and taking it from her.
Lisa retreated into the kitchen to retrieve the platters of sandwiches she made. “I’m all ears,” she called from the kitchen.
Nikko’s eyes widened wondering what she may have heard. Gio had the same reaction.
Carrying two large platters she reentered the room, and Gio again helped by taking one. He also began to explain what happened to the guys in Maine. Lisa was shocked, and asked questions as she walked back and forth carrying items into the dining room.
Just as she finished setting the table, Mary’s minivan pulled up along the curb, and her stomach did flip flops. “Johnny’s here,” she whispered and sprang towards the door with Gio hot on her heels.
Johnny ran out of the car, and met his mother half way. Tears were streaming down her face, and Gio saw his son’s eyes were leaking a bit. He felt a bit out of place until his son opened up one arm, which had previously been tightly circled around his mother’s waist, and Gio slid in.
Nikko, watching from the stoop, felt moved by the scene before him. He saw the picture of a family being reunited, and held back before approaching the congregation out on the lawn. Lisa had been like a sister to him, and he felt the betrayal too. But seeing this, in that instant he knew that what this group of people needed was forgiveness, and they needed to be reunited. Permanently. He’d see what he could do to help that along.
Mary was getting her kids unbuckled from their car seats, and she too was overcome at th
e sight on the front lawn. She hoped and prayed feverishly that Gio could put the past behind him, and forgive her sister. If he did not, he would regret it. Family was everything, she thought, as she finished unfastening her own kids from their car seats.
Nikko approached Mary, gave her an affectionate hug, as the trio on the lawn still embraced. It was like the rest of the world had dropped away from the moment they shared.
“Hi, Mare. What a brood you got here,” he teased. Mary and he were the same age. They had been friends, never more than that. Their brother and sister had tied them together, but a friendship had blossomed from it.
“Shut up, Nikko. If you dare call me a cow, I’ll punch you in the eye.”
“Never,” he teased. “The kids are gorgeous. I always knew you would get married and have a passel. Anymore planned for?” he teased.
“I’m three months along. And yes, we want six.”
“Holy cow!” Nikko muttered. Then, “Ouch!” Mary had slammed Nikko in the arm with her free hand which she had quickly closed into fist.
“I warned you!” she reminded him.
“Oh God, that hurt.” He winced. “I was shot there two months ago.”
“Oh my God, I’m sorry!” Her eyes widened in shocked surprise and embarrassment.
“It’s okay,” he teased. “But damn, if parenting doesn’t work out for you, you can always take up boxing. You’ve got quit the jab.”
Mary laughed but gave him a mischievous look. “How is your other arm?”
“Fine. Why?”
“Oh, no reason,” she smirked up at him as he walked her to the door. Then to her sister, “Come on in everyone, the neighbors are all peeking out,” she stuck her tongue out at the neighborhood and Nikko noticed one set of curtains moving when he glanced back.
But her words were enough to get the trio to separate and follow them in. The smile on Nikko’s face reached his eyes and he winked at Gio as he watched his brother come in, his son’s small hand grasped in his much larger one.
“My son,” he announced passing Nikko. And down to his son, “Your uncle, Nikko.”
“Nice to meet you sir,” the young boy held out his hand to Nikko.
And Nikko just laughed. “Oh hell no. I am no sir. Nikko or Uncle Nikko will do.” And instead of shaking the kid’s hand, Nikko pulled him into his arms, and gave the kid a quick hard hug. Then stooping down to make eye contact, stated. “You are family now, Johnny. That means everything.” He hugged him once more before releasing him and then added, “You look just like your dad did when he was your age.”
“Thank you, sir-I mean Uncle Nikko,” the boy gave him a grin, the same grin his father had.
“You are quite welcome. Now, let’s head in. Your mom made us lunch, and I think I need to fill in some gaps. I’ve got lots of stories I want to tell you. Like, there was this one time when your dad was nine, and I was seven, and he made me eat worms.”
“Nikko!” Lisa admonished. “We are about to eat.”
“No better time to tell this story then,” he laughed.
“You really ate worms?” Johnny asked.
“Four,” he stated without batting an eye as the door shut behind them.
Chapter 21
Family
The next few hours passed quickly as lunch was served and Nikko and Gio exchanged telling tales about their youth. Johnny also shared some of his own stories with his dad and his uncle, but he envied what the two men shared. He and his mom had some cool stories of their own, and he proudly told about their camping trip, and his mom getting squeamish over putting a worm on a hook. But he had done it.
Gio’s eyes shone. He loved hearing his son talk. Several times he caught Lisa silently watching, swiping a tear away a time or two.
It had been a long time since this many people sat at his folks dining room table, and enjoyed just conversing all together. He wished his parents were here now, and missed them so much. It seemed fitting though, that this meeting took place here. He was glad to be home.
When the van arrived, Nikko and Gio, and Johnny went to inspect the contents, and the tech guys went over the equipment. Both Gio and Nikko knew most of it, but there were a few new items the tech guy had to go over. Johnny loved being included. He was fascinated with all of the equipment. He’d always imagined what his real father did, and was so proud of his dad, and uncle. They were like spies, he thought, as he listened in on the headphones, and his uncle fiddled with a dial and then he could hear a radio station they had tuned in to. Then his uncle fiddled some more, and he was hearing what sounded like a phone conversation. “You bastard,” he heard.
Nikko reached over and pulled the headphones off his nephews head. “Enough of that.”
“Aw man, it was just getting good.”
Gio’s eyes grew round with a question, and Nikko just shrugged his shoulders sheepishly.
When the tech guys left, they all went inside. Nikko went to grab a quick shower, and Mary was packing up getting the kids cleaned up. She wanted to get the kids home and down for a nap while she finished her chores, and started dinner for her husband.
“Oh, how domesticated,” Nikko teased.
“I’m warning you,” Mary raised her small fist in Nikko’s direction.
He ran up the stairs after giving her a peck on the cheek. “You’d have to catch me,” he yelled from half way up the stairs.
“Don’t think I won’t,” she called from the doorway.
Once Mary left, Gio helped Lisa tidy up, and even Johnny pitched in to help.
“Mom, am I staying here?” he asked as he carried dishes into the kitchen.
“Yes, of course,” she smiled down at her little man.
“Can we get some of my stuff?” he asked nervously.
“Um,” Lisa looked to Gio who was just walking into the kitchen carrying a stack of dishes. She wasn’t supposed to leave the state and her apartment was in Jersey.
“I can take him later.”
“Okay, but tomorrow should be fine. I know you still have a lot to do, and he should have enough clothes and stuff from camp. Honey, bring your stuff that needs to be washed downstairs, by the laundry, and then I’ll take you upstairs. I am going to bring my things to the attic and take Andreas’s room. I want you to sleep in your dad’s old room. He is sleeping in his folks’ room. Is that okay?” she asked, looking over her son’s head to Gio.
Gio nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Cool, I can snoop through your stuff.” He stated excitedly. “Or can’t I?” He looked up at Gio, eyes round.
Gio laughed. “Yes, by all means, snoop away. I’ll make a detective out of you.” He gave his son a sly wink.
“Cool.”
The smile on his son’s face warmed his heart.
A detective? Lisa again felt her stomach lurch. She’d always known her son was like his father in so many ways, and seeing them together made that crystal clear.
Chapter 22
Dark Places
It had been almost forty-eight hours and still nothing. Nikko swiveled on the small stool and played with the dials once more. He thought something was happening when Albert, dressed to the nines, left his apartment building at about seven PM. The man was in a tuxedo and obviously dressed for an evening out on the town.
A conversation with Gio twenty minutes ago revealed that Connie was still in her apartment, and had just ordered take out. They thought something might be brewing for tonight since Albert and Connie had spoken three times yesterday. They’d also gotten Intel that she no longer worked at The Scene. She’d moved on about four months ago, her employers told them, though she was still in high demand. That information suggested she may have a sugar daddy, someone paying the bills. Although her apartment wasn’t stellar real estate, anything in the city was expensive. She didn’t have a roommate either.
Nikko followed Albert to Carmine’s, an upscale restaurant in the high end theatre district. His driver dropped him out front, and then slipped across the
street into a parking garage, presumably to wait for Albert’s call.
Nikko strolled by casually after parking the van nearby, he’d been lucky to get a great spot when a delivery van pulled out. He had twenty minutes. He brought a small camera with a telescopic lens to get pictures. Albert was meeting with two other men, only one of whom had a date on his arm. Nikko snapped a few shots. None were people he recognized although one looked vaguely familiar. A politician he thought. But they all greeted each other warmly.
Nikko quickly turned as the maître d showed up and led them up the winding staircase to their tables up above. They would have a great view of the theatre district from there.
Nikko headed back to the van. He’d need to move it to a spot more permanent, and he could monitor the small party’s comings and goings. But the busy restaurant was too noisy to hear anything and he wasn’t able to isolate the foursome with his equipment. The technology was good, but with everyone carrying their own high end cellular and android devices there was just too much interference.
Heading inside was out of the question. He wasn’t dressed for it, and even though Carmine’s had a bar, it wasn’t close enough to the seating area. Plus, he might be recognized. Albert was older than him by nearly a decade, but he looked enough like his older brothers who Albert knew. He didn’t want to risk it.
So for now, he cooled his heels, and waited, stretching when he could to keep limber in the cramped quarters, and texting his fiancée, Ronnie.
* * *
Gio wasn’t having any better luck than his brother. He was sitting in his car and contemplated heading home to spend an hour with his son before Lisa made him head up to bed. It was eight and she let the kid stay up until ten during the summer. He’d spent each morning with Johnny, these past two days. Yesterday he’d taken the kid to Jersey to get his Xbox, some games, his laptop, and some more clothes.
He’d even tried his hand at Mortal Combat. The kid had beaten him soundly. Nikko had laughed at his big hands trying to work the controller and saved him by taking over. He’d played three games with his nephew and managed to win a round or two, but the kid bested him as well. Nikko did not stay long, and took a quick shower, ate a hot meal, and left again. He was keeping close tabs on Albert, and wanted to be around when he left work. Weekends were critical. People did not follow their usual routine.
The Bounty Hunters: The Marino Bros.: Box Set Page 63