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A bitter chuckle seeped out of J'Ru as he eyed Priest through his umber orbs, shaking his head in a shaming manner. "Heard'ju, Priest," J'Ru settled as he stood up from his seat and exited the kitchen, leaving Priest to sit in his actions alone.

HARLEM, NEW YORK

Upon landing back in the city, things felt like they had gone astray to Jazzy. J'Ru had come to terms with his final conversation with Priest and decided that it would be best if he kept his distance for a while. He still showed up to handle the weight that had been imported from Italy for Kaymen’s sake, but aside from that, no one really heard from him.

Jazzy knew the trip to Italy was pretty bad, but she didn't expect it to put this much of a strain on everyone. She prayed J'Ru and Priest would eventually find their way back to their brotherhood. Quite frankly, neither of the men really knew how to function with the status of their friendship in the air, but ego and pride made it difficult for either of them to make amends.

Rolling over in bed, Jazzy was met with Taylor, who was still sound asleep. The penthouse was far too quiet for Jazzy to go back to after spending a week in Italy with everyone under one roof. Although those days were filled with nothing but stress and turmoil, she preferred that over the tormenting silence and isolation the penthouse offered.

She attempted to sit up in Taylor's bed, but she was restricted from doing by Taylor’s leg that was tossed over her. This caused her to smack her lips as she reached over and shook Taylor awake.

"Bitch, what happened to the pillow I put between us?" Jazzy asked her once she saw Taylor’s eyes flutter open.

Taylor groaned as she was awakened out of her sleep earlier than she anticipated. "Girl, I moved it. If you're in my bed, you're getting spooned. I like skin to skin," Taylor muttered as she turned onto her other side so she could go back to sleep.

Jazzlyn couldn't help but laugh at Taylor's response. She shook her head as she got out of the bed. "Taylor, we're friends.I will never bump pussies with you," she teased Taylor. Jazzy was sure Taylor didn't see her in that way, but compared to her, Taylor was the much more affectionate friend, hence them sharing the bed when Jazzy actually wanted to sleep on the couch.

With her eyes still shuttered with hopes of falling back into her deep sleep, Taylor replied to her. "Jaz, we are two bottoms. It wouldn't work anyway. I like being fucked," she waved her off.

Jazzy convulsed into more laughter. This was the reason her and Taylor's friendship worked. Their humor was the same: crude and unfiltered. Jazzy decided to let Taylor sleep and headed to the bathroom to start her day.

Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she ran her hands through her untamed hair. She let out a deep breath, attempting to assure herself that things would eventually fall back into place and be better. She went through the process of getting ready for her day, handling her hygiene and then getting her look together. She had packed a few options to wear from the penthouse, finding it difficult to decide on one. Letting out a groan of frustration, she carried the hangers from Taylor's closet, trekking over to wake her. "Tay, which one should I wear?" she asked her.

A heavy groan poured out of Taylor as she opened her eyes to assist Jazzy. "Does it really matter? You're about to go link up with the bitch who’s married to the nigga you've been fucking," she scoffed.

Not liking Taylor's response, Jazzy smacked her lips. "Yes, it does matter," she asserted. "Now help."

Jazzy caught Taylor up on everything pertaining Cameron when she made it back from Italy. She made sure not to tell details about the business, nor did she divulge Britain's situation with Cameron during her tea spilling session; however, she remained transparent about everything else. When Taylor heardhow long she and Cameron had been sneaking around, it was a shock for her, and hearing that Cameron was married was a double whammy.

Hearing these different versions of Cameron honestly made Taylor sick to her stomach as well. During the years she had worked at his club, she never would have expected him to be as sleazy as Jazzy described. He treated all the dancers with nothing but respect.

"Wear the Mugler dress to show that mathematician hoe you can't be fucked with." Taylor clapped her hands between every word she spoke as she poked fun at Avery's accountant career. Jazzy erupted into laughter as she agreed with Taylor’s suggestion to wear the Mugler dress that she purchased while in Italy.

Putting the other two options away, Jazzy slipped into the form-fitting dress that she topped with a long overcoat that matched her Rene Caovilla heels. She looked amazing to say the least. After accessorizing her look with her tennis bracelet, diamond stud earrings, and matching tennis necklace, she was ready to go.

"I'm out, Tay," she advised Taylor, who had now given up on catching some more sleep and decided to get out of bed and start her day as well.

Taylor held her finger up at Jazzy, signaling her to halt. She proceeded to rinse her mouth of all the toothpaste suds before replying to her. "You sure you don't want me going with you? I can throw something on really quick just in case she's not trying to run you your money," Taylor offered as she raised a brow. Jazzy didn't tell Taylor any parts of the real reason she was set up to meet Avery due to it involving Priest's business, so as far as Taylor was concerned, she was going to close her personal account with Avery which she made after Cameron gave her the business card that one time at the club. Jazzy had never reallygotten around to having Avery handle her personal funds, but it was the perfect cover to keep Taylor out of the business.

Jazzy shook her head, not needing her cover blown. "I'll be fine," she assured her friend. "I'll call you. And thanks for letting me crash here."

"It's nothing," Taylor assured Jazzy. "You'll be back tonight, right? I love when you're here," Taylor grinned.

Jazzlyn let out a chuckle as she nodded her head at Taylor. "See you later, Tay." She waved goodbye before stepping out the door. Once the door shut behind her, Jazzy navigated out of Taylor's building to the Porsche she was driving. When she got into her car, she checked her phone, realizing she had gotten a text from Avery.

Avery:

ETA?

Received 11:34 AM

Jazzlyn:20 minutes. I'll let you know when I'm out back.

Delivered 11:35 AM

Jazzy made her way to Avery's office, getting caught in traffic, which caused her to take longer than she intended to. After slipping in and out of a few lanes, she eventually arrived. Avery didn't want to bring any attention to herself after Priest had Cyro roll up in her office, causing a disturbance and demanding the money, so she arranged for Jazzy to meet her in the back parking lot of the office.

Jazzy leaned against the Porsche, waiting for Avery to come down so she could hand over the forty thousand dollars. Today would determine how serious Avery was about leaving Cameron in her past. Jazzy knew Britain made it very clear that she shouldn't try to convince Avery to take the money and start a new life for their daughter. If Avery made that decision, it had to be up to her, but Jazzy wanted to make sure Avery understood her options.