Page 171 of When a Soul Cries

She was small, with tired eyes and a cautious expression that made it clear she had walked into the middle of something and had no idea what the hell was happening.

Sol.

I had never met her before, but I knew immediately.

Rome had talked about her just enough for me to put it together.

My eyes moved from Sol to Rome. Then from Rome to the baby. Then to Zari.

The pieces slammed together so fast it damn near gave me a headache.

I pointed at Sol. “So *you’re* Sol.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Yes…”

Then I pointed at Zari. “And you’re her best friend.”

Zari folded her arms over her chest and stared at me. “Obviously.”

I pointed at the baby. “And that’s her baby.”

“Yes,” both women answered.

Finally, I turned toward Rome.

“And your big ass met *her* at Cash Market.”

Rome’s face had gone completely flat.

“Yes, Kai.”

I threw both hands into the air. “WHY THE FUCK DIDN’T NOBODY TELL ME WE WAS ALL IN THE SAME DAMN STORY?”

There was silence.

Then Zari’s shoulders started shaking.

She tried to hide it by pressing her lips together, but it was too late. A laugh slipped out.

I looked at her. “Oh, you think this shit funny?”

That only made it worse.

Zari covered her mouth, laughing harder now, and even Sol’s tired expression cracked slightly.

I wanted to be irritated.

I really did.

But Zari looked good laughing.

Her whole face changed when she did it. That tough little attitude she carried around loosened, her eyes brightened, and for a second I forgot I was supposed to be mad.

Then I felt somebody staring at me.

I glanced sideways.

Rome.