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"Priest, it's good," Britain assured him as she turned around to face him once they were behind the closed door of the study. "We can talk about this some other time," she attempted to dismiss the conversation once more, despite feeling the urge to resolve gnawing at her. Britain knew if they continued having this conversation, they were bound to say things neither of them meant.

A sigh streamed out of Priest as he hung his head low. "Gioia,I see and appreciate everything you've done for me—forus," he assured her.

Britain nodded her head in response. "I get it, Priest. I just think it's best we have this conversation some other time, when things aren't so chaotic with what you have going on," she repeated, hoping it would draw an end to the conversation completely.

Priest shook his head as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "This shit got me fucked up in the head right now.” Priest honestly expected for him and his guys to bump heads. That was the usual when things weren't going well with businesses, but the news about Jazzy getting involved shocked him completely. The more he reflected on the situation, the more he was beginning to feel like he had fucked up and made the wrong decision by hastily leaving New York. He realized how irrational he was when he decided to follow along with the fake news about his death that spread through the city like wildfire.

He had a foolproof plan prior to getting shot. He was going to be living part time in Italy while being back and forth to the city. That would have allowed him to keep tabs on business and handle his load like he needed to, all the while allowing him the space and peace to grow and focus on himself. His fakedeath was definitely an easy out from all the people who were prepping to come after him after his verdict was announced as not guilty, but with all this going on, Priest honestly wished he just dealt with the target on his back instead of disappearing into the abyss. He'd miscalculated a step in his life, and his pride was too strong to admit it, which was why he got so worked up when J'Ru and Britain called him out on it.

"Yeah, it does," Britain agreed.

Priest’s dark orbs trailed back over to her. She could see the sorrow that was webbed within them. He was under a lot of pressure, and it was evident. As uneasy as Britain felt about the entire situation, she couldn't help but offer Priest grace because that was exactly what he'd done for her when she was the one under increased pressure. They were both always so forgiving with each other, but through it all, they always made space to correct their issues within their relationship and address any ill feelings. Britain understood that right now just wasn't the best time, so she was willing to let it go.

Priest’s orbs continued to hawk Britain, watching as she reached for the mouse pad to her desktop computer. Before she could type in her password to gain access to the computer and nosedive into her magazine, Priest halted her. "Let me take you somewhere. Just so we can get our minds off all the shit going on right now," he suggested with a hopeful smile.

A light sigh escaped Britain as she leaned back in her seat with a faint smile on her face. "You sure you want to take me out instead of booking a last-minute session with your therapist?" She raised a joking brow at him.

"I see you got jokes," he chuckled. "But I'm cool on Havani until my next session. I really just want to spend time with you to get my mind off all this shit. Plus, we really making up for lost time since you flew out to the city."

"You just always find a way to throw that into every conversation we have. You can't even help yourself," Britain shamed him playfully.

"I'll let you live it down eventually." He shrugged his broad shoulders before holding his hand out to her. "But what you say? I can take you out? We’ll have a good time, and if we're both in a better headspace afterward, we can talk." Priest raised his thick brow, hoping she would take him up on his offer.

She contemplated taking his hand for a brief moment before doing so. "Fine," she agreed. "But I need you to make it up to me. You got a little beside yourself back there.”

Another chuckle seeped out of him as he nodded his head in agreement. "I got you, Gioia."

She craned her head to gaze up at him, which prompted him to lean down and place a light kiss on her lips. "I love you, yo. You’re the realest in my corner,Gioia."

Playfully rolling her eyes with a dramatic sigh, Britain offered Priest a response. "I guess I love you too,"

Priest smacked his lips before peering down at her with his infamous stale face. "Stop playing with me. Say that shit right.”

This drew laughter out of her before she corrected herself. "I love you too, P."

Content with how she said it the second time around, a smile canvassed his face while he gently secured his hand at the base of her neck. He pulled her in for another kiss, this one deeper and more passionate than the last. He slipped his tongue into her mouth as his other hand cupped a handful of her round ass. She could feel a swarm of butterflies flutter within her stomach. A faint moan slipped out of her as his grip on her neck tightened a bit.

Before she could submit to him, she caught herself and parted from the kiss. Amused by how easily he could get her to fold, a mannish and arrogant smirk masked his face. "I know youlike to get done up and shit, so go get ready for me." His low and raspy voice snaked through her ears, sending a chill up her spine.

"Yeah, I should go do that." Britain nodded as she led the way out of the study. Priest sent a smack to her rear, giving her extra motivation she didn’t know she needed.

As Britain traveled upstairs, Priest remained on the bottom level of the home. He chilled in the theater room that was equipped with relaxing recliners that were set up before a massive television. On occasion, he would find himself watching a classic movie, but right now, he was in no mood for that. He simply leaned back in the seat, scrolling through his phone and handling all of the logistics of the impromptu date he wanted to take Britain on.

A light tap sounded off at the threshold of the entertainment room. Priest’s focus strayed from his phone, and he was shocked to see it was Jazzy who needed his attention.He sat up, locking his phone. He was sure his little sister had let what he said during dinner last night resonate in her head and she was now coming to talk things out. She seemed hesitant and fearful, which wasn't the usual dynamic between them. He knew he was hard on her, but he never wanted to strike fear within his little sister.

"What's up? You came to talk?" Priest raised a brow. There was a little hope in his voice.

He watched as Jazzy pursed her lips. Her face then twisted in confusion as she wondered what could have possibly led him to that conclusion. "No," she clarified, which inflicted a blistering sensation on the open wound left behind by the last conversation they had at the dinner table. "I just wanted to get the contact information for the car service. We're getting ready to head out."

Priest’s eyes seared into Jazzy. He was livid, and his clenched jaws made it evident. Instead of trying to pry a conversation outof her, he decided to let it go and save his own energy. "I'll text it to you," he let out dryly before leaning back in his seat.

Jazzy extracted her phone from the pocket of her sweats, holding it up for Priest to see, indicating that she was waiting for him to send the text. "I'll wait for it. I know how you are," she said as she rolled her eyes.

A scoff aired out Priest. He wasn't petty, so he went ahead and sent the contact information. Sure enough, she stood there waiting for her phone to chime with the text. Once it did, she looked over the text, even verifying the number he sent to her by making a quick call to it.

"I'm not with the childish shit. If this is what you wanna do with your life, then fuck it," he grumbled and waved her off.

Jazzy rendered Priest no response as she turned around and made her way out of the room. If Priest had to be honest, he was a little bent out of shape that she wasn't interested in a conversation with him. He thought he could get into her head at the last minute and have her opt out of joining Kaymen and J'Ru at the sit down they were headed to, but he was wrong. Jazzy had her stubborn mindset, and her intentions were final.