Page 141 of The Deadly Candies

“Is it?” The Don’s cold stare slid over to him. “The enemy is within my family. The boy I raised as my own son, and the daughter who hates me, are selfish and reckless—protecting a legacy that isn’t theirs. They will take down Matteo without the medallion, and then destroy themselves with their greed. Starting a war that could kill them all.”

Kathy blew a kiss toward him. The Wolf didn’t react, but his knuckles whitened around the hammer.

"The Battaglias,"Ernesto blurted."Let me go to Giovanni directly. Let’s tell him you are alive, mypadrone. Let me bring him into the fold. He is the answer. I believe it?—.”

“You are a believer now?” The Wolf smirked.

“I am. I am sworn to your cause; forgive any perception of doubt. We should pull in Giovanni.

“Hmmm, a man of faith?” Carmelo said and stared at the hammer. “I used to be. I used to have a lot of faith.” His gaze climbed from the hammer to Erensto’s face. “Do you swear?”

Ernesto made the sign of the cross, ready to pledge. But the Wolf’s cold voice blew out that flame. “….On your son’s life? What is he, nineteen now? In school at Stanford.”The Wolf’s smile was glacial.Ernesto looked up to see men who had sworn their lives to their Don in the shadows, in the rose bushes, their gazes alert and focused on him. One snered. Ernesto’s gaze returned to the Don.

“Do you swear? Because that’s the currency we trade in now,” said the Don.

Ernesto’s throat worked."Sì. On my boy’s life I will convince Giovanni Battaglia to align with you.”

"One week."The Wolf stood abruptly, tossing the hammer to the table. “Make Matteo a believer. I am dead. I stay dead. Fail again, and I’ll let you watch as I collect your debt.”

Ernesto was up and nodding profusely, then fast walking away.

The Garden

"What are we doing today?" Carmelo clapped his hands, his voice suddenly buoyant as he stepped over to the terrace where his family waited.

Nino grinned, holding up a paintbrush dripping cerulean blue."Painting!"

"Ah,perfetto!"Carmelo ruffled his brother’s hair before pulling Kathy away from him. Kathy looked from him to Ernesto, who was fleeing from their meeting earlier. The man looked distressed.

"Everything okay? Did he show up because we don’t have a phone? Hadn’t heard from you?” she asked.

“Yes, that’s why he came.”

“Oh?” she murmured. “He didn’t even say hi.”

“He told me to tell you hi. Ciao Kathy.”Carmelo reached for her hand and pulled her in closer. If he hadn’t been so selfish, he’d have been honest with her. Given her a choice, he would have found a way to bring Cassandra as well. But he’d trusted in her love for him in doing the right thing too many times in the past. So many lives lost, so many consequences they suffered for their love. He could not risk another person or another failure, or their daughter’s life. This was his last chance.

He kissed her forehead, his lips lingering."Ernesto’s having a phone installed tomorrow. Can you stop busting my balls and let me worship you, take care of you, cook for you, read to you, just us, one more day?”

She rolled her eyes, but her smile was fond. “You’re such a baby. So dramatic, Carmelo. I just want to call home, and you’re acting like I’m asking for a divorce.”

“Think of what it took for you to be my wife, to accept me as your husband. Cassandra still doesn’t know who I am. If she even remembers me at all.”

Kathy looked away. He turned her chin to bring her eyes back to his. “No judgment,cara, I put you through a lot. I was not always able to accept your caution or your wisdom. I’m sorry for the past, my mistakes.”

“I know Carmelo. I know you can’t help who you are. But I see through it. I do. That’s why I came. I’m your wife, now and forever. Stop reaching into the past. Let’s just start again. Cassandra is ready. We can tell her the truth. Ely would want that too.”

“I want it,” Nino said.

Both looked at him, surprised. He pointed at the paintbrush in Kathy’s hand, dripping red on her white kimono as she held it at her side. Kathy gasped and then laughed. She gave him the paintbrush. “Sorry, sweetheart. I was busy taking care of your baby brother,” she teased Carmelo. “Now I have to take care of two babies.”

Carmelo’s laughter was dark velvet as he nipped at her earlobe."No,cara. I’m a man. You made me that way."

Behind them, Ernesto was already sprinting for the car, his shirt sticking to his back with sweat.

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Harlem (Debbie'sBeauty Palace) - September 1978

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