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Jazzy laughed as she sashayed toward the entrance of the residential building. "I'm not a baby, Ru. You don't have to hold my hand through this process," she advised him.

She could hear him scoff before he responded. "Trust me, I'm not. We know you can handle this. If we didn't, we would have just kept you comfortable for the rest of your life. We want to introduce you to the other side of the spectrum, the working side," he explained.

"You're trying to say I never worked hard in my life?" Jazzy hiked her brow up, offended by J'Ru’s insinuation.

"You have," he quickly corrected. "Just not as hard as this, especially not with so much at stake. Usually, you have a safety net. Now, you have to be your own safety net and everyone else's. We trust you, though, so keep doing what we know you're capable of," J'Ru encouraged her. With everything being so fresh for her at the moment, it just wasn't the right time to discredit her. He and Kaymen needed her as focused and confident as she could be just so she could survive the month with her new load of responsibilities.

Jazzy nodded her head, satisfied with J'Ru's explanation. "Well alright, Ru. I'm at the Groves now, so I'll call later."

"Bet," J'Ru concluded before they ended the call.

Upon entrance into the building, Jazzy's presence caught Nia's attention. "Well, if it isn't the most stylish woman in NewYork," she announced as she gave Jazzy an exaggerated round of applause.

Playfully, Jazzy gave Nia a twirl so she could admire her entire look. "This is nothing," she said as she jokingly waved her off. "Just a little Bottega and a simple bag from Goyard." She raised her sky-blue Maison Goyard handbag which complimented her nude heels.

Nia threw her head back in laughter, loving Jazzy's energy. Her younger cousin was always a joy to be around, and her stylish looks were just to die for. "I'm gonna have to get used to you walking in here like it's a runway every month."

Jazzy nodded her head. "You definitely will," she said as she leaned against the front desk. "How have you been?" Jazzy asked as she showcased her infectious smile.

Nia took a seat in her office chair before shrugging with a sigh. "Same old, same old," she concluded. "I should be asking you how you're doing with everything that's going on." Nia eyed Jazzy with a look of concern masking her face.

Jazzy let out a short breath before she mirrored Nia’s shrug. "I mean, he's been preparing me for his absence for some time now, so it'll be pointless for me to drag myself around sad all day like I didn't see it coming." Priest would’ve never left Jazzy unaware of how things were set to change for her, so she always expected this day to come. Of course, she didn't think it would’ve been under these circumstances, but for her, it was all the same. She definitely preferred Priest playing dead while living a full life in Italy over him serving time in prison.

"But, Jaz, you didn't see it coming, though," Nia clarified.

"Eh." Jazzy waved her off. "In a sense, but this is PJ we're talking about. Tomorrow, he could wake up and decide to come back for whoever pulled the trigger on him. I just have to roll with it," she stated with a dismissive look etched on her face.

Jazzy was as tough as iron. She didn't find the need to be emotional about anything. As much as everyone was expecting her to be kicking and screaming about Priest's decision to leave New York and go incognito, she simply didn't have it in her. Doing so would’ve only led her brother to a crossroads. She didn't want him choosing to stay in New York for her when what he really needed was to be out in Italy finding peace.

Jazzy could have gone without the entire state thinking he was dead, but if he needed her to play a mourning sister, she was down with that too. Priest had done nothing in life but put her first. Now, it was her turn to put him first, and she wasn't about to be a brat about it.

Despite Jazzy assuring Nia that she was fine, Nia was still skeptical. "Well, alright then," Nia sighed. "But if you need anyone to talk to or keep you company, me and Mirsad are always here.”

Jazzy furrowed her brows before leaning in closer to Nia. "You know PJ didn't actually die, right?" she whispered in confusion. She didn't understand why Nia was offering her company and consolation.

"I know that, crazy," Nia laughed. "I just can't imagine how quiet and empty that penthouse must be without him."

Jazzy pursed her lips as her mind wandered off to the penthouse. It was definitely different without Priest and all his keepsakes. Jazzy certainly saw herself downsizing soon so she wouldn't have to be alone in such a big space. "I'm coming over tonight," she enlightened Nia.

"Well, it'll just be you and me because Mirsad is spending some time with Remy," Nia said to Jazzy as she gathered all the rent payments that were enclosed in labeled envelopes before handing them over.

Jazzy nodded her head as she placed the envelopes in her purse. "I'll see you tonight," she smiled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Jaz. Be safe," Nia said as she waved goodbye to her.

Upon exiting The Groves, Jazzy unlocked the doors of the Porsche before bringing the vehicle to life. As she maneuvered out of her spot to head straight to the bank, her phone chimed with a text message.

Kaymen:

Handled The Groves? ON TIME?

Received 12:34 PM

She rolled her eyes at how much pressure J'Ru and Kaymen were applying. With their business on the line, there was really no room for error. They wanted to operate like a well-oiled machine, one business venture pouring into the other. Jazzy never knew how calculated her brother and his friends were until she saw the numbers for herself. The three men were light years ahead of a lot of street niggas, which was why their pockets would never sink, no matter what drought hit the streets.

Jazzlyn:Handled it. Doing the bank run now.

Delivered 12:35 PM