“Yeah,” Tulane nodded, then humorlessly laughed. “That was her name, Xavier.”
“And she died?” Berkley asked. “In a car accident?”
“She was killed in a car accident eight years ago. There was a race, but she wasn’t a part of it. I don’t know what she was doing there or anything. All I know is her car was hit.”
“No, no, no,” I said, shaking my head as I stood. “Please don’t tell me that.”
“I’m sorry, Yale,” Tulane said.
“Wait, what are you apologizing for?” Spelman asked. “Did you know her or something?”
“No,” I replied as I sat. Tears clouded my vision as I stared at Tulane. The sound of screeching tires, burning rubber, and the smell of smoke and fire all invaded my senses. “I was the one who killed her.”
My stomach twisted, and I felt lightheaded. This wasn’t what I needed to hear. I tried to brace myself by grabbing the armrest and getting control of my breathing, but I couldn’t.
“Yale,” I heard Berkeley and Tulane call my name, but I couldn’t focus on them.
I needed space, fresh air, to feel the sun on my face. I pushed off the couch and headed for the back door. I opened the back door, and it slammed against the wall. I heard glass shatter, but I didn’t care. As soon as my feet touched the grass, I felt rain against my skin. There was no damn sunshine, just rain. My knees gave out, and I dropped to the ground on all fours. I lay down, rolled over to my back, and let the rain wash over me.
It may have been an accident, but it didn’t matter. I finally had the name of the person whose life I’d taken.
Xavier.
Chapter thirty-three
Amethyst
Ichecked my gun one last time before looking over to my brothers. Pyrite was antsy, like he had somewhere else he would rather be. Citrine looked like he had a million thoughts running through his mind, but both were ready for action.
“If you want to change your mind,” I said to Citrine. “I’ll understand.” I tucked my gun into the back of my pants. “This ain’t normally how you get down.”
“I’m good,” he said. His attention was on his phone, but I could see his eye twitching. He put his phone back in his pocket and shook his head. “I called Cross.”
“Why?” I questioned. I loved Cross, but I didn’t want to add any more people to this than I had to.
“I don’t touch women,” he answered with a mug. “I’m not changing my stance on that shit.”
“I don’t think it’ll come to that,” I said as I put my hand out for the key. Citrine gave me a look that said he didn’t believe me,and I chuckled. “Look, I understand what you’re saying, but I’m here for answers. Ta’lon is either going to talk or not. I’m hoping she does.”
Citrine put the key in my hand and nodded. “Me too, but I knew her once upon a time. She’s not going to be that easy to break.”
Instead of responding to him, I swiped the key in front of the lock and waited for the light to turn green, then turned the handle. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the suite was that the TV was on, but the volume was low. I looked around as I stepped into the room. Toys littered the floor, and on the wall near the front door was blood.
“The fuck happened in here?” I looked over my shoulder at my brothers, and they shrugged.
We pulled our guns, and Citrine closed the door behind him. Pyrite went left to check the two rooms; Citrine checked the living room and balcony; and I went right to the primary bedroom. The further I walked into the suite, the more blood I noticed. I pushed the bedroom door open to find Ta’lon tied to a chair in the middle of the room and Xoey sitting on the edge of the bed watching her.
“Plus twelve?” I called out, but didn’t approach her. As friendly and fun as Xoey was, she was also deadly and unhinged. I never treated her like she was anything but normal, but I was also aware that she was anything but. “Xoey?”
“Hhhmm?” Xoey replied without taking her eyes off Ta’lon. Her left leg bounced as she tapped a sharp ass knife against her palm.
“What’s going on, sis?” I stepped into the room and leaned against the wall. I looked calm and relaxed, but I was on alert. If Xoey made a move, I would be ready. Pyrite and Citrine stepped into the door frame, and I put my hand out to stop them from coming too far into the room.
“I was sent here,” she answered with a slight shrug. Her head tilted to the side, and her big curly ponytail moved to the side. “He said I could do what I wanted as long as I got the answers.”
“And did you get the answers?” I asked her. Xoey shook her head, and I nodded. “Why not?”
“I got some, but not all of them. She has a little boy.” Xoey motioned to the bathroom that was to the right of me. “She was in the bathroom with him when I came in.”
