Page 144 of Smoke

“Can I use your phone? I need to call my boyfriend.”

“Sure.”

She pulled out her phone and unlocked it before handing it to me. With my clean hand, I took it from her and dialed Devin’s number. He answered on the second ring.

“Who is this?”

“Devin…”

“Baby? What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Dana… she broke in the house with a gun. We started fighting, and the gun went off… Devin, she’s dead.”

“Fuck!” he yelled. I could hear his tires screeching. “I’m on my way. Have you called the police?”

I sniffled. “They’re coming. My neighbor is here with me.”

“Okay. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Okay.”

“I love you, Romi.”

“I love you too.”

We sat there for a moment before disconnecting the call. In the distance, I could hear the sirens. Burying my head in my hands, I cried my eyes out, praying to God that this was finally over.

Hours Later

After having the glass removed from various places and being checked out, I had to go to the police station to give my statement. Devin made sure to call his cousin, the lawyer, to ensure the police didn’t try to fuck with me. I had to have told the story three different times.

The last time they asked me to go over it again, Devin’s cousin put his gun on the table and told them we were done. Clearly, they feared him because the officers were quick to retreat and let me go.

When I walked out of that police station, I was shocked to see my parents, Renay, and Devin’s family all waiting outside for me. Since the hospital had taken my clothes for evidence, I was allowed to shower, and they gave me scrubs to wear. I was glad I didn’t have to worry about getting Dana’s blood on them when they surrounded me for hugs.

My walls crumbled all over again.

Currently, we were back at the compound. Korri was with her other grandmother, and Juri was still with Senior. I wanted to see my babies, but I desperately needed time to process everything that transpired.

I took a life.

Me… a woman who didn’t even like fighting unless it was a last resort. I killed someone. And while it was self-defense, I didn’t know how to feel about that.

“Baby?” Devin said, breaking me from my thoughts.

I blinked and realized I was still sitting in the car while he was standing at my door, waiting for me to get out.

“Sorry,” I whispered.

I took his hand and slid out of the truck. He closed the door and led me inside, then upstairs to his bedroom. Immediately, I went to take another shower. Although I was clean, I couldn’t shake the feeling of Dana’s blood dripping on me. Devin said he would get me something comfortable to wear and something to help me relax.

In the shower, the familiar feeling of the water masking my tears wasn’t enough. I slid down the shower wall to the floor and pulled my knees into my chest, crying my eyes out. I sat there until the water ran cold before finally standing and taking a cold shower to shock my system.

By the time I turned the water off, I was trembling. The bathroom door opened, and Devin stepped in with a towel. I opened the door and stepped out into the warmth of it, courtesy of the towel warmer he bought just for me.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

He simply nodded as he led me out of the bathroom and guided me to the chaise in front of the bed. On the floor were my post-shower items. He took a seat in front of me and commenced to massaging and moisturizing my skin.

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