Page 109 of When a Soul Cries

His brows drew together.

“Sol,” Rome said, his voice dropping as concern replaced the shock on his face, “what the fuck happened to you?”

I pulled away from him, embarrassed by the way his eyes were searching me.

“Nothing,” I answered quickly.

Rome stared at me like I’d just said something stupid.

“Nothing?” he repeated, disbelief written across his face.

“I’m fine,” I insisted, even though my trembling hands were saying something completely different.

Rome’s eyes dropped toward them.

“You’re shaking,” he said, his voice quieter now.

“Let me go,” I demanded, trying to pull myself completely free of his hold.

“There she go!” Aunt Trice yelled from behind me, her voice cutting sharply across the parking lot.

My blood went cold.

Rome’s head turned.

Aunt Trice was storming toward us, her face twisted with anger as she pointed directly at me.

His whole body changed.

One second his hands were steadying me.

The next, he stepped in front of me.

Aunt Trice pointed around him. “Move! This ain’t got shit to do with you.”

Rome didn’t move an inch.

“Hey, bitch,” Rome said, his voice dropping so low and cold that even I went still. His shoulders squared as he positioned himself completely between Aunt Trice and me. “Back the fuck up.”

Aunt Trice stopped.

Her eyes widened before her face twisted with offense. “Who the fuck you think you talking to?”

Rome took one slow step forward, his expression never changing. “The woman charging at somebody holding a baby.”

Aunt Trice opened her mouth.

Rome cut her off before she could get another word out.

“So I’m gonna tell you one more time,” he said, each word coming slower than the last as his jaw tightened. “Back. The fuck. Up.”

Aunt Trice jabbed a finger toward me, practically trying to look around Rome’s body to get to me. “That little bitch ruined my life!”

Rome glanced over his shoulder.

His eyes met mine.

I looked away immediately.