Page 16 of Oh Holy Knight

Chapter Six

Nico

“Uncle Ni Ni,what kind of trouble do you think Sparky will get into tonight?” Anna asks as I tuck her into bed, making sure all her favorite stuffed animals are right next to her. I try to mask the cringe I make at the mention of the elf she named Sparky and bend my head, dropping a kiss to her forehead.

As much as it pains me to admit this, our little Anna Banana is really digging this elf business. Every morning she wakes me and Carrie up and drags us downstairs to see what kind of mischief Sparky has gotten into while she was sleeping. I knocked my dad for searching Pinterest, but the site is actually very helpful. I would’ve never thought to have the little fucker make snow angels out of flour without it.

Tonight the son of a bitch is going to go ziplining through the living room. I used to carry bungee cords and zip ties to tie up our enemies, now I’m using them to orchestrate elf shenanigans—my how the mighty have fallen.

The good news is we only have a week left of this stuff and then the little bastard gets shoved in a closet until next year.

Sighing, I reach over the side of her bed to flick on the nightlight.

“I don’t know, Anna Banana, but he’s getting his eviction papers soon.”

“Mommy says he’s going to go back to the North Pole before Santa comes.”

I smile at her.

“That’s right,” I confirm, watching as a frown works her lips.

“I’m going to miss him,” she pouts.

I kneel next to her bed and push her dark locks away from her face. It’s crazy how much love I have for someone who has only been on this earth for a short time.

“I know you are, baby girl, but he has to go back to the North Pole to help Santa get ready for next year.”

And I need a break.

She seems to contemplate that for a moment before saying, “But he’ll be back next year, right?”

Unfortunately.

“Yes,” I say, forcing a tight smile. “Now give me some sugar and get some sleep. Grandpa is coming early in the morning to pick you up and take you to see the big Christmas tree in Manhattan.”

Another new tradition.

Last week he had us all decorating gingerbread houses that he glued together—something my mom taught him how to do when she could never get the walls to stay with icing. He also had Carmella, Enzo’s mom, come over to bake seven-layer cookies with Anna and next week, we’ll be lighting Sophie’s menorah.

Anna’s eyes light up and a big smile stretches across her face.

“He’s taking me to the fancy toy store too.”

“F.A.O. Schwartz,” I say.

That one is familiar. It’s a tradition he started after Frankie was born. He wasn’t hurting for money like he did back when me and Enzo were babies and spoiled the three of us rotten. He took us to Serendipity afterward, where Enzo developed his love for chocolate. I wonder if he’ll take Anna there too.

“That’s the one!” Anna exclaims, drawing my attention back to her. “He said I can get whatever I want.”

I laugh.

“I bet he did.”

“Are there really toy soldiers at the door?”

“There sure is,” I confirm.

“I can’t wait! Tomorrow is going to be the best day.”

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