Page 54 of The Killer Cupcake (Poison Cherry #3)

WHERE IS UNCLE PETE?

M atteo 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.

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.

"The worst possible thing, baby. Nothing good comes from Bumpy being in jail—nothing." Her mother's voice trembled. "Debbie was beside herself. Said Brother's been searching for Pete, but he's been missing for days."

Kathy pulled her mother into a hug. This was supposed to be a celebration—she'd worked so hard to make it perfect for her family, for Ely. Especially now, when she'd finally see a doctor this week about the little one growing inside her. Why now?

"Ma, I have something to tell you."

But Brenda had turned away, straining to hear Henry's booming voice demanding answers about his brother.

"Ma! I have something important to?—"

"Later, baby." Brenda hurried inside.

Kathy bit her bottom lip hard. From inside came Big Mama's wail, calling on the Lord as the news reached her. Her oldest boy was missing.

Tears blurring her vision, Kathy shook her head and escaped down the steps. She needed distance from the suffocating fear. If they lost Uncle Pete, everything would shatter. Her father would never recover. And Debbie—sweet God, it would crush her to dust.

She stared up at the sky, now darkening as the moon started to surface.

She touched her stomach and wondered what the world, her family, and even her marriage would be like when her child was born.

Would he or she have Carmelo's eyes, his smile?

Would people look at her precious child and see the truth?

She ached with doubt until Ely's arms encircled her from behind. She melted into him, eyes closed.

"You okay?" His voice was gentle against her ear.

"No." She turned in his arms. "Is Uncle Pete?—?"

"Everyone in Harlem is searching. Your parents are catching the first train back."

She searched his face. "It's bad, isn't it?"

"We're going with them,” he replied.

"What?" she gasped.

"My Ma and sister will stay with Big Mama. Your parents will need us; your father will need my help. Bumpy in jail is causing people to rumble about the Italians having something to do with it."

The accusation hit like a slap, but she fought to hide it. "We can't go."

His brow furrowed. "Why not?"

"Please, Ely. Something feels wrong about all this. If you get involved with Daddy's business—" She gripped his shirt. "We just got married. Let's stay here."

"Are you sure, Kat?"

She pressed against him. "Yes. We'll care for Big Mama and pray Daddy finds Uncle Pete. We'll pray for all of Harlem. But we must always stay out of New York.”

"You're putting me first." Wonder colored his voice.

Tears spilled down her cheeks. "You're saving me and this baby. I meant my vows—you come first. Always."

"Our baby," he corrected softly. "It's ours, Kat."

She nodded through her tears. "Yes. Ours."

Morning

The door opened. Debbie jerked awake on the sofa as Brother entered with José, who went to her and immediately pulled her into his arms.

"Where is he?" Her voice came out raw. "Tell me you found him."

Brother made it three steps before his legs gave out. He dropped into a kitchen chair and broke—her unbreakable brother shattered right in front of her, sobbing like she'd never seen.

"No." The word punched out of her. "No, no, no." She whirled on José. "WHERE IS MY DADDY?"

Tears gathered in José's eyes. "Brother came for me. Debs, I'm so sorry?—"

"NO!"

She fled to her parents' room. Her mother lay still on the bed, Junior curled against her side. Debbie closed the door and pressed her back to it, sliding to the floor. Both hands clamped over her mouth, trapping the scream that wanted to tear free.

The pounding knock at the door caused Ely to shoot upright. Kathy woke and rubbed her eyes. She pulled the sheet to her chest to cover her nudity as Ely left the bed nude. He pulled on his pants and walked out of the room.

Six in the morning. Kathy stared at the clock, dread pooling in her stomach. Nothing good came this early. She fumbled for her robe, her father's voice already booming through the thin walls.

She eased the bedroom door open just as Henry's rage exploded: "My brother! Those motherfuckers are going to pay!"

The words hit like a physical blow. Uncle Pete. Gone.

"Everyone ready by ten! We catch the eleven o'clock to Harlem!"

Kathy emerged from the bedroom, legs barely holding her. Every step felt like walking toward disaster.

Henry turned. The sight of him with his eyes raw and red, face destroyed by grief, confirmed everything.

"Daddy—" Her voice cracked. Her body started to tremble. "Please, no. NO!"