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Story: The Love of Priest 2

Jazzy knew her taking on Avery's situation was probably the craziest thing she could ever do, but she couldn't help it. Cameron was not only horrible and disgusting to Avery, but Britain as well. Luckily for Jazzy, he didn't get the chance to taint her, so she was going to take that as a sign that she was to put an end to all his narcissistic and manipulative behavior toward women.

"Aside from PJ, Ru and Kay, every man who was put into my life or let into my life has manipulated me and has taken advantage of me. I heard the things he put you through, and he still had the audacity to walk up on you like he hadn't caused you so much trauma. Then hearing Avery's account of being his wife, seeing how much fear she has to live with when it comes to the custody of her daughter. Then I compared the version of him you recalled and the version Avery is dealing with to the version of him he presented to me, and I feel sick. He was only molding and attempting to groom me to be able to do those same things to me, and that pisses me the fuck off, Britain," Jazzlyn gritted in frustration.

Through life, Jazzlyn had dealt with her fair share of men and boys trying to get over on her. Despite being strong, independent, and sure of herself, men always found a way to use her traumatic upbringing and situation to their advantage. She had witnessed her mother carelessly give up on her and Priest all because she craved the approval of a man. She even had her innocence preyed upon at a very young age by a man she thought would protect her. Jazzy was far too young to have gone through many of the things she endured, and she still held a deep level of anger and resentment toward men because of it.

Britain had her fair share of being manipulated and used by men. Quite frankly, the abuse she experienced didn't come to a complete halt until after she met and got with Priest. She battled many traumas when it came to men, and she was sure Jazzy had done the same, so in a sense, she completely understood her standpoint.

"I always wished I had someone to advocate for me, somebody to not only defend me but also know exactly how I feel. I'm not looking to only be that person for Avery, but for you too," Jazzy concluded with a light shrug.

Britain could feel her heart soften for Jazzy. Having someone who could not only defend her but also relate to her problems was all Britain wanted when she was going through her cycle with Cameron. There were times he would manipulate and gaslight her so much that she would just end up blaming herself for whatever disagreement they had. It drove her absolutely insane, which was why she began documenting the ups and downs of her and Cameron's relationship so she could assess what was really happening and not what he wanted her to think was happening.

"Jazzy, I don't need you doing that for me." Britain shook her head. "I'm okay. I'm happy. Being with your brother makes up for every horrible thing Cameron has ever done to me." Thelast thing Britain wanted to do was cause Jazzy to take on her situation just like she was taking on Avery's. Sure, she still had things to heal from and overcome, but she didn't think she needed Jazzy seeking vengeance on her behalf to do so.

"Understood," Jazzy said and nodded her head. "If not for you, then let it be for Avery and my own personal reasons," she corrected her reasons for why she wanted to assist Avery with cutting ties with Cameron.

Britain pursed her lips as she contemplated her response to Jazzlyn. As Jazzy sat opposite of her, she could see the hesitation that washed over Britain's face as she toyed with the ends of her hair. For a brief moment, the two ladies sat in silence before Britain let out a short breath. Her soft brown, feline-like orbs trailed up to Jazzy, searing into her. Fusing her hands together in a praying position, Britain silently prayed to herself that she was making the best decision. She also prayed that Priest wouldn't kill her for what she was about to do next.

"I'm going to give you the forty thousand," Britain stated to Jazzy, ultimately sending a surge of excitement up Jazzy's spine. Jazzy's eyes widened as a feeling of relief plunged down on her. Britain was her saving grace at the moment. Without any second thought, she threw her arms around Britain, thanking her a multitude of times.

"Relax," Britain gritted at her in hopes of getting Jazzlyn to tone down her excitement. "With me giving you such a hefty amount of money, there are terms and conditions," she declared. Eagerly, Jazzy nodded her head, awaiting the terms she would have to abide by so she could get the money from Britain.

"For one," Britain began, holding up her left pointer finger. "P is to know nothing about this. This will remain between you and me. Two, you will pay me back. Three, when you give the money back to Avery, make it clear that she can either take the money and do what she has to do for her child, or she can give itback to him and continue to allow him control. Whatever choice she makes is up to her, and you shouldn't have any parts. I want you out of this situation, far from it. You weren't affected by him as much as Avery and I were, so just wash your hands clean of the situation and put it in your past."

"Britain—" Jazzy eased out in an uneasy manner. She wasn't too sure if she could put it all to rest like Britain was telling her. Jazzy was fueled by vengeance; she had the same issue with her mother. She wanted nothing more than to get pay back for all the things Sylvia put her through, but Priest managed to always talk her out of it.

"Girl, do you want the money or not?" Britain bumped her brows together, shocked that Jazzy thought about refuting the terms and conditions even when she was in desperate need.

Deciding against her tempting thoughts, Jazzy nodded her head. "Yes. Thank you, Brit. I really appreciate you for coming through for me," she expressed her gratitude.

A smile canvassed Britain's face as she nodded her head. "No problem," she assured her.

Britain knew that making this arrangement with Jazzy could land her in a lifetime worth of trouble with Priest, but her heart went out to Jazzy. Truth be told, she honestly had nothing else better to do with the money. When Priest found Leonard's money, he broke her off $200,000 just for the sake of not giving Sylvia the satisfaction of reaping the whole million dollars that Leonard left behind. Britain tried her best to give it back, simply because she didn't want to make him think money would keep her. He absolutely refused to take it back, so instead of risking it being stolen out of her apartment, she just put it in a savings account, allowing it to sit and build interest. She never would have believed her first time using the money would be for the sake of Cameron's wife, but God had a funny way of working.

They sat and discussed how and when she would pass over the funds. They were on limited timing since Jazzy and the guys were set to depart from Italy the following day so they could make it back in time for the shipment that was just sent out to the city. The ladies agreed on a plan before ending the discussion. Jazzy couldn't let Britain go without expressing how much she appreciated her for sticking her neck out for her.

Eventually, Britain made her way back inside of the home, leaving Jazzy by the pool, relieved that she no longer had to consider begging Priest for forgiveness in order to get the money back. Upon getting back in the house, Britain let out a stressed and heavy breath. She hardly kept anything from Priest, so it was going to be hard for her to go without telling him about her arrangement with Jazzy. Also, she was sure he wouldn't appreciate Jazzy going around him to his fiancée, which served as another reason why she couldn't risk him finding anything out.

She traveled up the stairs, letting out another breath to prepare herself for Priest.

Their master suite was equipped with a grand foyer which led to the French double doors that kept their bed space private. After making it through the first set of double doors, she looked around the small lounging area, noticing that Priest had carelessly tossed his phone on one of the plush chairs, indicating that he wasn't up for any distractions. She made her way to the second set of French double doors, gaining access to their bedroom. Shutting the door behind her, she then assessed the room, spotting Priest stretched out on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

She neared the bed, looking down at him. He didn’t once shift his dark orbs away from the ceiling as he navigated through his deep thoughts. She cleared her throat lightly as she tuckedsome of her hair behind her ear. "I'm just checking on you. You okay?"

Priest motioned his broad shoulders in a shrug as a response. As she peered down at him from where she stood at the side of their bed, she could see the vexation and agitation masking his face. His power move was successful, but as he put everything in perspective and thought about all he had to do to prove his point, it angered him. In a sense, he felt like all the sacrifices he made, the blame that was put on him, and all the work he put in were completely overlooked and undervalued. With him now living in Italy, it altered the respect everyone once had for him. The decision to bring Jazzy into the business was by far the biggest slap in the face. Then, to add insult to injury, J'Ru felt like it was okay to give him an ultimatum about an empire he started. Agreed, the business wasn't a dictatorship, but from where Priest was positioned at the moment, he felt like he was being pushed out, and that would never be accepted or agreed upon by him. When he left, he wanted it to be on his terms.

"Nothing I can't handle," he mumbled as he kept his orbs fixed on the ceiling.

Priest could hear Britain exhale a long sigh. Shifting his eyes to the left of him, he noticed she stood at the side of the bed with her hands perched on her hips and a stressed look on her face. This caused a sigh to drift out of him as well, projected from his agitation. "What's up, Brit?" He raised a brow at her, waiting for her to voice her concerns.

Assuming that she was about to attempt to convince him to extend the olive branch to the guys and Jazzy, it struck a nerve in him. He was already agitated, and his temper was fragile, so he was on edge. She bit down on her bottom lip, silently condemning herself for upsetting him as he sat up in the bed to look directly at her.

"Gioia, just stop while you're ahead," he warned her while pinching the bridge of his nose. At times, he enjoyed how well Britain was able to always find the silver lining in every situation; however, right now wasn't the time. He didn't want to be encouraged to be the bigger person or to take action to have an understanding conversation with everyone. He felt like he had done enough as it was. He made his move with the money, made it clear that he was still all hands on deck, and now, it was up to Kaymen, J'Ru and Jazzy to simply get it through their thick skulls.

"You didn't even let me get it out, Kanaz." She threw her hands up.

Priest smacked his lips. "‘Cause I already know how you coming. I'm always the bad guy when it's all said and done," he scoffed.

A short breath aired out of Britain. She climbed onto the bed next to him, taking his hand into hers. "You're not always the bad guy," she asserted before applying light kisses onto his knuckles.