Page 38 of The Deadly Candies

“See!” She pointed at him. “That’s what I’m talking about!”

“You know me, Debbie. I’m not going to give up on my family or my wife. I’ll just try even harder until you change your mind.”

“How is that fair to me?” she groaned. “I got my own thing going on, you know?”

“What thing?” Matteo narrowed his eyes at her.

“Expanding my business. I’m considering opening a beauty shop in Chicago, then Detroit, like a chain. And funding other businesses. Expansion. I got Madame CJ Walker’s plans.”

“Madame who?” he frowned.

“Never mind,” she huffed.

“Okay, I will give you the money and help,” he agreed.

“No!” she stomped her foot. “It’s my idea, Matteo! No mob ties! I’m not paying no fucking mob dues to you either, so tell Ceasar to fuck off!”

Matteo groaned. He put a hand to his forehead, battling against the ache throbbing from his inner battle to keep his cool. “Damn it Debbie… I.” He paused. He sighed. “Okay, Debs. Whatever you want,” he tossed his hand up in defeat. “I won’t help. Better?”

Debbie sat on the edge of the desk and looked him over. “Did you eat today?”

“No one to cook for me,” he said.

She rolled her eyes. “There are plenty of women who will cook for you, Matteo. Don’t think I don’t know those whores are buzzing around Staten Island. Minnie said she heard things about the women all trying to get close to you now that you are out of prison. One of her clients said a bitch named Sofia was in her store talking about hooking up with you because you like black women.”

“That’s a lie and you know it,” he waved it off.

Debbie narrowed her eyes on him. “If I catch you with another woman, Matteo?—”

“Debbie, stop. Stop the bullshit okay! I’m not fucking no one else. I can barely fuck you!” he snapped.

She smirked. “You liked it, though, the other night. Didn’t you?”

“Stop it, Debbie. I’m not in the mood for games. I’m being serious. I want my fucking family back.” He sighed and tried again, feeling even more desperate for her to give in a little.

“Close the salon early and let’s go,” he said. “I’ll prove it to you. Or better yet, let’s go to the courthouse. Get it on paper. Married. Done. Then you can run the island if you want. Put a hit on Sofia for lying on your husband.”

“No,” she chuckled. “We’re too old to get married.”

“We are married!” he raised his voice. “You need the more paper to prove it to yourself, but we got married that day and you damn well know it!”

“If you raise your voice at me again, I’m throwing your ass out!” she warned.

“Then stop busting my balls,” he groaned.

“Why not try to earn my trust back? Huh? Before you come around here bossing me around,” she asked.

“So, you can put up another barrier between us? I’ve never cheated on you, never betrayed you. Can you say the same?” he countered, his tone edged with frustration.

“How could I cheat Matteo? Even in my dreams, you jump out and stop me. I swear to God, even from prison, you made sure that wouldn’t happen,” she shot back. “Do you remember what you did to Chester?”

“Fuck Chester! He’s lucky he’s got his left leg.”

She sighed.

“I’m sorry,” he lied.

“No, you’re not.”

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