Page 45 of The Killer Cupcake (Poison Cherry #3)

“Carmelo lives in a fantasy world. Said you two were already married, and the marriage to that young girl is a lie. A suicide wish from his mother that he fulfilled to lift the black death from your father and you. That the babies came after one drunken night, and he doesn’t remember.

He had many reasons and excuses. It’s not my place to tell you to forgive or even discuss it with him. I’m here for another reason.”

“For Janey?" she managed.

"No. There is no cure for Janey. Her rage is the other half of her soul. I know how to deal with my wife. I’m here to plead with you to save all of our lives,” Carmine looked over to Mabel, who was now staring at them both with a wide-eyed expression.

He looked back at Kathy. “If Carmelo doesn’t get in that ring and fight and win , none of us will leave Tennessee.

My bosses have lost all patience with me.

There is no room for error since the battle of the Thibodeauxs.

I must see this through. And he will not fight for anything, including his own brother’s life, if you break his heart. "

"His heart?" Kathy exploded. "What about mine?"

Carmine raised a hand. "Say everything you need to say to him, not us.

But do it after the fight. Come with me now.

Dry your tears. See him, comfort him, pretend his crimes with you can be forgiven, pretend you don't know about the marriage if you have to.

After he wins, I'll personally get you wherever you want to go.

Back to Butts if that's what you need or straight to Harlem.”

"This isn't on me!" Kathy said, and her hand went protectively to her tummy. Carmine didn’t notice, but Mabel did. And when her eyes connected with Mabel’s, the old woman shook her head with pity. Kathy looked away.

"Unfortunately, it is. You're all he cares about,” Carmine said. “He’s already fucking things up, thinking that someone has told you the truth.”

Kathy looked to Mabel for help, who uncrossed her arms. “All I can tell you is Memphis is no place for you child. If there is a debt here to be paid, pay it so you keep the people you love alive.”

Kathy wiped her face. "Okay. Take me to him."

Carmine exhaled in relief. Kathy hugged Mabel goodbye and followed Carmine outside. Matteo waited by the cars. He turned at the sight of her. She frowned and looked to Carmine. “Can I ride with you?" she asked. "I can't talk to him."

Matteo's face crumbled. Kathy ignored his silent plea, carrying equal resentment for him and Debbie now. Carmine extended his arm to escort her to his car. Inside, she broke completely. He sat silently until her tears ran dry.

"Done?" he asked.

She nodded.

He handed her one of Janey's perfumed handkerchiefs from the glove compartment. "Clean your face."

As she wiped her eyes, he said, "You're a woman now, Kathy. Carmelo says your father's a Harlem gangster?"

"Yes, sir."

"So you come from tough stock. Elliott Wynn is your grandfather, and then there’s your father—hard men, right?" Carmine emphasized the point.

"Yes, sir."

"Then you fell for a man cut from the same cloth, didn't you?"

She nodded, unable to trust her voice.

"So you know the rules." Carmine's eyes stayed on the road, but his words cut straight through her. "You've watched the women in your family—your mother, your grandmother. They don't break when men like us disappoint them. They get harder. Stronger. That's how they love us.”

"Yes, sir." The words came out cracked.

"No more tears, Kathy. Not where Carmelo can see them. You want to cry? You do it later, alone. But in front of him?" He shook his head. "Steel spine. That's the only way through this."

She pressed the handkerchief to her eyes one last time. "I understand."

"Good." The engine rumbled to life.

They'd barely left the curb when she found her voice. "Can I ask you something?"

He tilted his head—permission enough.

"Janey told me things. Terrible things. Said Thibodeaux’s are dead, that she poisoned the family for what they did to Willa. Said Willa lost the baby and—" Her voice broke. "Is any of it true? Is everyone lying to me?"

Carmine's jaw tightened. "JB is dead.”

“What? No. She said he survived,” Kathy asked.

“She doesn’t want you to hate her. He’s dead. And their child is. Poor thing was born dead.”

The confirmation hit like ice water. "But Willa's letters?—"

"Willa's letters are to protect the truth. To protect Janey,” he said in a dry monotone voice.

“From what?” Kathy asked.

“Willa is pregnant again." He glanced at her, measuring her reaction. "Living under my protection. Carrying my child."

The confession didn't make sense. She opened her mouth to say it, but nothing came out.

"After the fight. After you see it through, Carmelo wins. We play by your rules, Kathy—only your rules. And I’ll explain everything. Deal?"

"Your baby?" The horror in her voice made him grip the wheel tighter. “What kind of monster are you?!"

"Do we have a deal?" His voice had gone cold, all business now.

She stared at him, this man who was Janey's husband, Willa's.

.. what? The car suddenly felt too small, the air too thick.

Another betrayal. Another secret. Another man taking what he wanted.

Another reason to run and scream against the world she found herself trapped in. But why? How? What choice did she have?

“Do we have a deal?” he asked.

"Deal," she replied.