Page 93 of The Killer Cupcake
She hung up.
“Who is Matteo?” her mom asked.
“Huh?” Debbie turned and saw her mother standing staring at her with Junior in her arms.
“Matteo. Who did you call?” Claire asked.
“Oh, him. Yeah, he’s, he’s, uhm, a friend… of José,” she breathed.
“Can he help us?” her Mom asked. Debbie melted. She went to her mother and hugged her and Junior.
“Yes, Ma. He can help. You know how those cops are. They got Daddy down in some cell, locked away. But we’ll get him out. He’ll be home soon. I promise.”
Claire handed the baby off to Debbie.
“I need to lie down. Wake me when Brother comes back, or if there is news. Okay?”
“Can I fix you something to eat?” Debbie asked.
“Warm up some stew in the fridge for me,” Claire said, and Debbie gave her a weak smile and nodded. She watched her mama walk stiffly to the room. The moment she disappeared she wanted to cry. She needed help. She needed someone to talk to.Debbie looked over at the phone. She picked it up. She had to tell Uncle Henry.
She dialed Big Mama’s number and heaved Junior up on her hip.
“Hello?”
“Kat? Kathy?” Debbie asked.
The line went silent.
“Kathy, it’s me. Please. I need help,” Debbie burst into tears. Just hearing her cousin’s voice broke something inside of her. She couldn’t even get her thoughts together.
“Hello? Debbie? It’s Aunt Brenda. What’s wrong, baby?”
Debbie closed her eyes. Kathy must have passed the phone to her mother. “It’s Pa. I mean, Daddy. He’s missing. Brother is trying to find him. Ma said Bumpy Johnson was taken to jail, and they’ve been snatching Bumpy’s men off the streets.”
“Oh lord, okay, baby, okay. Let me get Henry. Where are you?” Brenda asked.
“Is Kathy there, Auntie? Can you tell her I’m sorry? I’m scared. I need her. Please?” Debbie sobbed.
“Yes, baby, she’s with her husband. They just got married today, but she will call you back. I promise. Where are you? Home?”
“No. I’m at Ma’s. I’m with her. Brother is out searching. I’m not leaving until we hear something.”
“Okay. Stay by he phone. We will call back,” said Brenda, and the line went dead. Debbie held on tight to Junior and prayed.
CHAPTER 36
WHERE IS UNCLE PETE?
Matteo entered the gym on a mission. He'd considered starting with his father, but his gut told him Cosimo would do the exact opposite when it came to saving Pete Freeman. Ever since Carmelo ran off with Kathy and brought shame to the Ricci name, any opportunity to strike at the Freemans was a wet dream for dear old dad.
Carmelo would be his only hope of finding Debbie's father. His rising popularity and authority in the family had surpassed Matteo’s. Bumpy Johnson's arrest changed everything. Bumpy's hold over Harlem—stronger than King Redmond's ever was—had been the last thing keeping their family from moving in and seizing the streets. His father had to be behind this.
He walked past young men lifting weights and training to be the next contenders. Carmelo's laughter carried over the music, and Matteo looked up to find him on the balcony talking to one of the managers. Their eyes met. Carmelo's smile faded.
A moment passed before Carmelo nodded, clapped the manager on the back, and took the stairs two at a time. Matteo didn't wait—he headed straight for one of the offices where they could talk privately. By the time Carmelo walked in, Matteo was already pacing, his agitation kept building.
“Why are you here? We said all there is to say.” Carmelo said.
