Page 94 of The Killer Cupcake
Matteo's eyes swept over his brother in disbelief. Just hours ago, he'd left Carmelo shattered on the floor, blood seeping from his arm, destroyed by news of Kathy's marriage. Yet here he stood—calm, collected, as if it were any other day. Matteo had braced himself for months of his brother's breakdown. Instead, it had lasted mere minutes.
"Did you know?"
Carmelo's brow arched. "Know what?"
"Don't play dumb. Bumpy's arrest." Matteo's voice hardened. "You knew."
Carmelo held his gaze, unblinking.
"What's the endgame here, Melo? Kill Vegas, help Pa seize Harlem, and then what? What's in it for you?"
Nothing. Just that steady, maddening stare.
"Debbie's father is missing." Matteo's fists clenched. "He's one of Bumpy's top nine—probably in some jail hole as we speak. Her family's falling apart. You had to know the Freemans would be targets once Bumpy fell. You knew they'd sweep up her father."
"Families come together in crisis,” Carmelo's voice was eerily calm. “I'm sure the Freemans will too."
"Jesus Christ." Matteo's eyes went wide. "That's your play? Start a war in Harlem? Force Henry Freeman and his brother into a fight they can't win? All this to bring Kathy back?" His voice rose. "Are you fucking insane? Do you have any idea how badly this could explode?"
“It’s under control. Father knows what I want. Henry and his brother will survive it. We’ll give them a little piece of Harlem to manage. Father will give me the rest to take over. And yes, Kathy will come home where she belongs. And by the way, she’s not married to anyone but me. I married her first. Legally!” Carmelo snipped.
“You've lost your goddamn mind." Matteo slammed his fist on the desk. "People will die for Harlem. They'll fight to the end. And Father? He'll fill every corner with drugs and chaos. He'll destroy everything."
Matteo’s voice cracked. "Don't you get it? When he destroys Harlem, he destroys Kathy. He destroys Debbie. My son. How can you not see that, you fucking idiot!"
“What I see is the world against me and Kathy. It’s always been that way: everything and everyone against us. Even Mama, to put a curse on me from her grave.”
“Watch your fucking mouth about our mother!” Matteo aimed a finger at him.
“NO! It’s true! She made me marry Maria! She made me! And the world took Kathy.”
“Your dick took Kathy. You created those kids,” Matteo shot back.
Carmelo began to breathe hard. “I’m not going to just roll over and let her go, no matter what, I will have her, and if that means I need Harlem to get to her, then I’ll take Harlem too.”
"Debbie's father is missing. Did you hear me? We got to find him! If he dies, and Kathy thinks you got her uncle killed, you'll never have her again.”
Carmelo paused. The realization that his brother's madness was complete came when he shrugged and said, "That's a risk I'll have to take."
Stunned, Matteo couldn't speak as Carmelo walked out of the office and left him there.
Butts,Mississippi
Kathy laughed from her perch on Ely's lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. Her father was in full storytelling mode,sharing with the family tales of how inseparable she and Ely had been as babies. She'd never known their bond went back that far.
"Henry!"
Her mother's sharp voice cut through the warmth. Kathy had been kissing Ely's jaw when she caught sight of Brenda's face—pure distress that made every man on the porch go still. Earlier, she'd heard that same panic in Debbie's voice on the phone, just for a moment before Kathy had set the receiver down to fetch Brenda.
Kathy straightened.
"What's wrong, Brenda?" Henry asked.
"Pete. They got him." Brenda's voice shook. "That was Debbie. He's missing, and Bumpy's in jail."
Everyone gasped, then came stunned silence. Kathy rose to her feet just as her father did, but he was already charging into the house, nearly bowling her mother over in his haste. Brenda's hand flew to her mouth. The uncles and cousins rushed after Henry, with Ely close behind.
"What's happening, Mama?" Kathy asked.
