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"Come in," Priest told him.

"What’s the problem?" Britain asked with a worrisome tone. Jeremy grabbed the nearby remote, turning on the television mounted on the wall.

They watched Remy in confusion as he clicked through the channels before stopping on the news channel. Jeremy stepped aside, allowing them to view the television.

Their eyes scanned the screen, widening at the headline that streamed across the lower part of it.

PRIEST JUSTICE DEAD AT 28

"W-what? They can't report that!" Britain jolted up to her feet. "That's fake!" She then shifted her eyes between Priest and her father.

"Are you two gonna say anything?!" she snapped. Neither seemed to be as riled up about the news report as she was. It wasclear to her that Priest wasn't actually dead, but news like that was tarnishing.

She watched as Priest carelessly shrugged his shoulders. "Let them think I'm dead," he concluded.

She gazed at him in shock. She couldn't believe he was actually going to go along with the false news. From her time spent with Priest, she knew he did some crazy things and brewed up crazy schemes, but this crossed the line.

"Well, then it's settled," Jeremy shrugged as he eyed Priest. "You're dead." He began his gait out of the bedroom, figuring that Priest and Britain needed some time alone to recuperate from the news.

As he was making his way out the door, he halted, fixing his attention on Britain. "And congratulations." He smiled faintly as he pointed to the huge diamond ring that was perched on her finger.

Britain glanced down at the ring before averting her eyes back to her father. With a smooth chuckle and shake of his head, Jeremy exited the room completely.

With a stressed sigh drifting out of her,Britain turned around to face Priest. He had his eyes already set on her, assessing her actions. He could see Britain wasn't ready to showcase the big step they had just taken within their relationship. He just wasn't sure if he should’ve taken it as her wanting to tell her family and friends the right way or her not wanting to tell anyone at all.

"This is crazy, Priest. So, what now?"

Priest averted his dark eyes from her and set them back in the television. The news was currently screening a live report of what the reporter claimed to have happened right before her eyes.

"We have to leave for Italy earlier than we thought."

Chapter Ten

The tumbler of the locks sounded off as Britain sat in the center of her living room. Her attention strayed from the multitude of boxes that barricaded her, and she eyed Priest as he entered the apartment. She let out a sigh at seeing he had shown up even though he knew it would’ve been in his best interest to rest up and stay out of the public eye.

"Priest." She shot him a stale face as he sauntered around the boxes to take a spot next to her.

"I'm good,Gioia," he assured her as he braced his body to sit down.

As expected, Priest's healing process had been a lot harder than it would have been if he had been treated at the hospital. His body had endured an extreme level of pain and was forced to tolerate it, so the healing process was slower.

Britain shook her head as she angled herself so she could continue eyeing him. "You're not fine," she muttered with a shake of her head. "You just got shot two days ago,” she reminded him before resuming her task of placing one of her framed photos into the cardboard box.

Britain believed Priest was pushing his body harder than he should’ve been. Here he was driving himself around and leavingthe house when his stitches still had a high chance of tearing open or becoming infected. She just didn't want him enduring such a horrendous amount of pain again.

Life was stressful now that the entire city of New York believed Priest was dead. His refusal to clear up his alleged death troubled Britain. Priest had now committed himself to living in complete secrecy under the radar.

He reached down, clutching the hem of his white tee and lifting it for Britain to see his wounds. Britain could feel her stomach tighten at the sight of the two stitched up injuries. He strained to swiftly lift his arm, causing him to slightly wince in pain. Even though he had plans of demonstrating that he was on the right track to healing, the lingering pain prevented him from doing so.

Britain pursed her lips as her orbs seared into him with anI told you solook webbed in her eyes. Rising from her seated position on the floor, she aided him in putting his arm down. "Priest, you're pushing yourself too much," she fussed and shook her head with a sigh.

He ran a hand down his face. "I just need everything to go smoothly for Italy.”

"Which it will, especially if you are recovering properly.”

Priest nodded, taking note of her advice. "C'mere," he called her over to his lap.

Britain shot him a teasing side-eye before maneuvering herself to straddle his lap. She gently rested her hands on his shoulders, and her attention immediately landed on the ring that was perched on her left ring finger. He grasped her hand, bringing it up to his lips. A light laugh escaped Britain as he examined the ring on her finger.