Page 84 of The Deadly Candies

Matteo's voice startled them both. Carmelo didn't look up, his jaw tightening as he turned the page of theDaily News. ThePopeyecartoon stared back at him, the sailor's squinted eye mocking his own refusal to acknowledge his brother these past weeks, not since Kathy's letter had revealed Matteo's secret. Not since he'd learned Matteo had been sneaking around with Debbie.

Nino, oblivious to the tension, beamed with his mouth full, cheeks round aspecorinowheels.

“Ciao, Teo!"he garbled, flecks of tomato sauce dotting his chin.

Matteo managed a smile."Ciao, fratellone."

He pulled out a chair, the legs scraping against the marble inspired linoleum. Nino immediately shoved his bowl toward Matteo, giggling when his younger brother obediently opened his mouth for the offered bite. The ritual was familiar—Sunday afternoons spent like this, Carmelo reading aloud while Nino played at being themamma, feeding hisfratellibetween laughs.

Downstairs, Lucia Ricci paused on the basement steps, the wicker laundry basket heavy against her hip. She'd been sorting Cosimo's starched shirts when the murmur of voices drew her attention. Now, peering through the kitchen doorway, she watched her sons—her boys—and for a fleeting moment, saw them as children again: Matteo, small but fierce, always stepping between Carmelo and the neighborhoodbulli; Nino, trailing after them with his lopsided grin, never understanding why the other children called him"ritardato."

Her chest ached.

Then Matteo spoke, his voice raw."I need to tell you something."

Carmelo finally looked up, his dark eyes guarded."I got nothing to say to you."

"Good, because I do."Matteo's knuckles whitened on the table."I'm sorry. I should've told you about Debbie from the start. It wasn't planned. I never plan anything—you know that. We just... needed each other. You were in the hospital, and her cousin was sent to Mississippi. It wasn't about betraying you."

A beat. Carmelo's gaze flickered—first to Nino, who blinked between them, then back to Matteo.

"She's pregnant,"Matteo whispered.

The newspaper crumpled in Carmelo's grip."Che cazzo?"

"Incinta."The word tore out of Matteo like a confession in theconfessionale. Tears spilled down his face."She was gonna—fuck, Melo—she was gonna get rid of the baby. I stopped her. I didn't know what else to do—I couldn’t let my baby die. I can’t kill a baby. Not because of me, and what I’ve done. I just can’t.”

Carmelo was out of his chair before the sob finished, hauling Matteo into a crushing embrace. Nino lumbered over too, his massive arms encircling both brothers, rocking them like overgrown puppies.

"La sua famiglia lo sa?"Carmelo demanded, pulling back to grip Matteo's shoulders."What happens now?"

Matteo laid out the plan in a rush—José's agreement, the sham marriage, the apartment near Mama Stewart's.

Lucia's fingers dug into the doorframe. The laundry basket slipped from her numb hands, tumbling down the basement steps in a cascade of her sons' undershirts and Cosimo's pressed slacks. She barely noticed.

Mio Dio.

Her knees buckled. She caught herself on the railing, nails splintering the wood. Every word from the kitchen was a knife to her ribs. Matteo's recklessness. Carmelo's protectiveness. Thatpoor ragazza—Debbie—caught in the crossfire of a war they didn't understand.

Cosimo would kill them. Her boys would die. She knew it. She believed it. Not a metaphor—literallybury his own sons in the Jersey marshes if he discovered this. She'd seen him do worse to men who'd crossed him less. And what he did to Carmelo had her walking in fear. Her stomach twisted. This would only reignite his longing for Kathy.

She staggered back into the basement's damp shadows, collapsing onto her sewing chair. Thewhirof the washing machine drowned her silent scream as she pressed her hands to her mouth.

Upstairs, Carmelo dragged his chair closer to Matteo, their knees knocking. Nino sniffled, wiping snot on his sleeve."Piano funziona?"Carmelo asked lowly.

"I think so. José says his family agreed. Debbie calls tomorrow. I think she can convince her family to agree.”

“E, Kathy? Lo sa?"Carmelo asked.

Matteo shrugged."Non lo so. But she will."

Carmelo exhaled sharply through his nose."Un bambino?”

"Sì."Matteo's voice cracked."I'm gonna be a father, Melo. I'll get them a place—safe, near Mama Stewart. I've got money saved. But I need you. I need a brother. I’m scared. What if I fuck up. What if my son hates me like we hate Pa.”

“A boy?”Carmelo’s eyes stretched.

“Yes,” Matteo said with confidence. “I had a dream about him. He has Debbie’s skin but my toughness. We will ride my motorcycle together.”

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