Page 108 of When a Soul Cries

My shoes slapped against the pavement.

My lungs burned.

I could hear her coming.

Could hear Halo screaming.

Could hear my own heartbeat pounding inside my skull.

I looked over my shoulder.

One second.

That was all it took.

I slammed into something solid.

My feet slipped.

A scream tore from my throat, but two strong arms caught me before Halo and I hit the ground.

“Whoa—shit!” a deep male voice exclaimed as those arms tightened quickly around us to keep me upright.

I fought immediately.

“Let me go!” I screamed, twisting against him while trying desperately not to lose my grip on Halo.

“Sol?” the man said, confusion and disbelief mixing in his voice.

“Get off me!” I shouted, shoving against his chest while trying to keep Halo pressed safely between us.

“Sol!” he repeated, louder this time.

That voice.

I froze.

His hands tightened just enough to steady me when my feet shifted again.

“Stop moving before you drop the baby!” he warned, urgency replacing the confusion in his voice.

Slowly, I looked up.

Rome.

His hazel-brown eyes were wide as he stared down at me.

For one second, neither one of us moved.

Then his expression changed.

His gaze traveled over my face.

My clothes.

My wet cheeks.

Halo screaming in my arms.