Crimes of Passion

Chapter 18

Yvette

"Yvette, go pack whatever you need, you're staying at my crib until further notice" Amari announced, breaking the silence in the room. Not questioning his request, I pulled a black suitcase out of the hall closet and went to my room to pack. I managed to get most of clothes to fit in the suitcase, but there were still other things I couldn't leave behind. I pulled out a duffle bag from my closet and packed my laptop, art supplies, sketchbooks, journals, and a few photo albums of my family and I.

I took a glance at myself in the mirror. My eyes were puffy and bloodshot red. I looked like I hadn't slept in days. I couldn't believe that in a matter of a day I had killed someone as well as found my own parents murdered. I felt tears filling my eyes once again. Why did Tony have to come after me? How did he even find out who I was, or where I lived. Why couldn't he just deal with Amari face to face? Amari can handle himself. As much as I don't want him to get hurt, he's capable. I've seen what he can do. 

I blinked back my tears and took a deep breath. It was clear that until we got rid of Tony, things would be far from easy for either of us.I was at a point of no return. I couldn't run away from the situation anymore, I was too deeply involved. I would just have to be strong and hope for the best.

I slung my dufflle bag over my shoulder and grabbed  hold of the suitcase handle. As I walked into the living room I saw Amari and Rocky standing by the front door waiting for me. They nodded at me to signal that it was time to go. I took one final look at my suite while avoiding the corpses of my parents. Be strong, I thought to myself as I walked out the door. 

"Lock it up and toss the key." Rocky told me. 

I pulled the door key from my pocket and and locked the door. I glanced around the empty hall unsure of where to dump the key. The only place that caught my attention was the garbage chute. 

"Is this okay?" I asked the boys.

They nodded once again to giving me the right of way. I pulled the chute open and dropped my keys in. The clanking sound of metal slowly faded until it had completely disappeared. 

Parked outside my lobby was a crisp and clean black Mercedes that belonged to Rocky. He started the car and slowly pulled out of the complex. 

"Where to now?" Rocky asked, turning to Amari.

"Take us both to my place. We'll meet you at the house in the morning." Amari replied sternly. 

Rocky followed his orders, not saying a word. The rest of the ride to Amari's house was silent. No one played music or spoke. I guess everyone was a bit shaken over everything that had happened. I took my cell out of my duffle bag checking for any new messages. I had texts from Aaliyah, Kiara and Chanel all asking where I was and to call them. It hadn't occured to me that I haven't spoken to my friends in weeks. How the fuck was I going to explain all of this to them? I really couldn't. They wouldn't take lightly to me getting involved with this shit. I locked my phone and slid it back into my bag. Until I knew how to deal with the situation I would leave the messages alone.

The car finally pulled up in front of Amari's apartment. He got out and took my suitcase out of the trunk while I carried my duffle bag. Amari brieftly said something to Rocky before he sped off into the dark streets..

When we got to Amari's place he was still quiet. He took my duffle bag from me and placed it in his room along with my suitcase. The house was empty so I assumed his mom had already left for work. Amari sat on the edge of the bed with his head burried in his hands. I gently sat beside him, wrapping my arms around his body. I hated seeing him looking so helpless.

"I'm sorry ma. I didn't mean to bring you into all of this. I didn't think he'd go after anyone else but me." Amari said.

"Look at me." I said cupping his face in my hands. "It's not your fault. This is all so fucked up, but now all I want is to get him back. I'm in this too remember? We just need to come up with a plan before he gets to anyone else."