“Where’s Sophie supposed to sleep tonight, Eric? The garage again?”

His smirk faltered.

“She needed discipline. Megan agrees, don’t you, babe?”

Megan looked away, silent tears streaking her face.

I took a step closer, my voice low but steady. “Discipline doesn’t mean starving a child. You’re finished here.”

He sneered. “What are you gonna do, soldier boy? Shoot me?”

I didn’t have to. “Leave. Tonight. Or the men I called will make sure you disappear.”

For the first time, fear flickered in his eyes. He grabbed his keys and stormed out. The silence that followed was heavier than any firefight.