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The silence that followed was deafening. Fury contorted Solomon’s face, his chest rising and falling like he was trying to control his rage, but it was barely working. My eyes crept to the gun, then back to his face. Before, when he’d been holding it, I was almost a hundred percent sure he was too pussy to shoot, but now I wasn’t so sure.

Angel woke up mid-sleep as if she could feel the threat. Her gasp sliced through the quiet, trembling, as her hand flew to her mouth. She sat upright, frozen. I was already moving, legs swinging over the edge of the bed, blood rushing hot and wild through my veins. I was going to kill his ass, gun or not. But before I could stand, Angel’s hand shot out, gripping my arm.

“Don’t,” she whispered, her voice shaking. Her eyes locked on mine, begging. “Please.”

Solomon laughed. “You scared, Angel?” His voice was venomous, but his words were slightly slurred. “You should be. You ruined my life!” he roared, stepping into the room, the gun trembling in his grip. “You think a restraining order can stop me? After everything I did for you? You were nothing before me—just some baby momma. I made you better!” He jabbed a finger at his chest. “And this is how you thank me?”

Angel’s fingers dug into my arm as she sat straighter. “Solomon, I didn’t ruin your life. We broke up.”

The words landed like a blow, his face twisting further in rage. “Bullshit!” he spat, stepping closer. The gun shook, and I thought it might slip from his grasp. I was ready.

“You cost me—clients, deals, respect.”

Angel’s voice remained steady, her calm an anchor in the chaos. “I was protecting myself and my son. You hit me, Solomon. I wasn’t staying.”

His laugh was cold, hollow. “Protecting yourself? From me? You’re pathetic, Angel. And then you leave me for him?” His eyes flicked to me. “He left you while you were pregnant. I was there.”

“You were, and that’s why I want you to just turn around and leave before you do something you can’t take back,” Angel said softly.

Solomon flinched, his rage faltering for just a moment before it surged again, more dangerous than ever. “He’s going to kill you just like his father did his mother,” he hissed, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “I might as well do it before he can.” The gun shifted, the barrel aimed directly at Angel.

I moved to block her, every muscle tight with instinct, but Angel’s hand pressed firmly against my chest. “Cassius, no,” she said. “Let me handle this.”

“Angel—” I growled, but she shook her head.

“Trust me,” she whispered, turning back to Solomon with her hands raised in surrender. “Solomon, listen to me. You don’t want to do this. This isn’t you. Think about everything you’ve worked for. Don’t let your anger destroy what’s left.”

The crack of impact that came next made me jump. Solomon’s eyes went wide as he staggered forward, the gun clattering to the floor. He crumpled, revealing Silas standing behind him, his chest heaving, a football trophy clutched in his hand like a weapon.

“Dumbass,” Silas muttered, tossing the trophy onto the bed. He crouched down and picked up the gun, unloading it before setting it on the dresser.

I guess Silas was why Angel had kept me from reacting. She was trembling next to me, her nails digging into my arms.

“I’m going to end up calling CPS on y’all. Y’all seriously living a whole fucking soap opera in here with my Ekon in the house,” he said, shaking his head.

I couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking. You never knew with Silas.

“You couldn’t have come five minutes earlier?” I snapped. I knew he had to have heard him. I wasn’t even mad, just the adrenaline had me amped.

“I took Ekon outside and left him with your neighbor first,” Silas said. He didn’t look at me or Angel. His eyes were locked on Solomon like he wanted him to move so he could hit him again. “I like y’all,” he continued, “but Ekon getting hurt wasn’t an option.”

He frowned like even thinking about it pissed him off. He drew his foot back and delivered a swift kick to Solomon’s ribs. The sound of it reverberated through the room. Solomon groaned, and I knew something was broken, but at least he was alive.

“Old hardheaded ass,” Silas muttered, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe the audacity of the man at his feet. He kicked him again. “You’re lucky I didn’t knock your whole head off, showing up here on some movie-villain bullshit.” Then he blew out a breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life.” He turned and walked out as police sirens sounded outside.