Page 68

Story: The Love of Priest 2

Kaymen:

Bet. Mrs. Cox is out sick so since you're in the area already, just go sign for the store shipment at Bueno. It'll be quick.

Received 12:40 PM

Jazzy pursed her lips before exhaling a heavy breath. This was a start to her driving all around the city, fulfilling tasks J'Ru and Kaymen appointed her. What she didn't know was that they were only giving her hell now to see how well she could handle the chaos that may soon come. They were going to send her on as many trips and appoint her as many minuscule, yet detailed tasks as possible. If she handled the pressure like they knew she could, they would ease up a little.

Jazzlyn:Copy. Anything else?

Delivered 12:42 PM

Kaymen:

Stop by La Lealtá just to see if things are running smoothly. The hostess will know why you're there.

Received 12:44 PM

Jazzy read the text before sitting the phone back down to keep her full attention on the road. Arriving at the bank, she was surprised to find out that Priest had designated her as a joint owner of a few of his business accounts. She never understood how he managed to do these kinds of things without her signature, but there was no use in asking since he loved leaving room for people to wonder. After depositing all the money orders, Jazzy exited the bank and headed in the direction ofBueno!.

Once she arrived atBueno!,she caught sight of the multiple trucks that were already unloading various beverages and snacks into the store. She parked the Porsche before stepping out and locking it up. Her presence drew a few stares since she wasn't much of a regular atBueno!anymore. Everyone was sure that Priest's death was the cause of her being there.

When she entered the bodega, Carlito shot her a caring smile instead of shouting a crazy joke like he always would. "Don't act like that, Carlito," Jazzy laughed as she shook her head.

A laugh seeped out of him before he shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't know if you were still mourning and shit," Carlito's heavy accent oozed out in his words.

Priest was extremely selective about who he shared his plan with. Even though Mr. and Mrs. Cox were well aware that he wasn't dead, Priest didn't think Carlito needed to know. Carlito was a cool guy, but he was also a talker, and Priest didn't need that.

Jazzy laughed at the fact that Carlito's way of sympathizing with her situation was by refraining from making her the butt of his witty jokes. "Taking it day by day, Carlito. How are youholding up?" She smiled lightly as she grabbed ahold of the clipboard the delivery driver was attempting to hand over to Carlito.

As she signed on the dotted lines, Jazzy heard a heavy sigh drag out of Carlito. Handing the clipboard back to one of the delivery drivers, she side-eyed Carlito. "The fuck is wrong with you?" she asked.

Carlito waited for the delivery driver to head off before he continued the conversation with Jazzy. "I don't know how valid this shit is, but the streets are saying Priest's brother took him out," he told Jazzy in a hushed voice.

Jazzy held her finger up at him, signaling him to wait a minute before she grabbed the next clipboard to sign. Once she had scribbled her signature on the page, the delivery driver returned to his truck, allowing her and Carlito to speak privately again. "Brotheras in Ru or Kaymen?" Jazzy hiked her perfectly arched brow up as she asked for clarification.

Carlito smacked his lips. "Nah, fool," he quipped as he shook his head. "Priest'sbrother," he stressed, hoping Jazzy would understand without him having to go into great detail.

Jazzy screwed up her face, still not understanding what Carlito was trying to tell her. "Look, I don't know who's chatting false information, but I'm PJ's only sibling. The only niggas he considered his brothers were J'Ru and Kaymen. Any other nigga claiming otherwise, I give you full permission to shut that shit down on my behalf if I'm not around."

Jazzy didn't appreciate randoms holding claim to Priest, especially when it pertained to taking his life. No one was about to play Priest out on her watch.Carlito raised his hands in surrender to insinuate that he had no parts in the rumor. "Them fucking lying motherfuckers, man." He shook his head, shaming whoever started the rumor.

Jazzy laughed at how thick his accent was whenever he cursed. "Look, I just stopped by to sign for these shipments. Thanks for looking out, Carlito."

"No problem," he said as he waved goodbye to her. She gave him a head nod before she sashayed out of the bodega.

Making her way to the Porsche, she ignored numerous cat calls with a snobby look etched on her face. Once she pulled out of the parking space, she accelerated the vehicle in the direction of La Lealtá.She wasn't surprised that a wild rumor about Priest had already spread. If one hadn’t been started, she would’ve been worried. What surprised her was how outlandish the rumor was. Anyone who needed to know knew that Priest didn't have any other siblings besides her. A brother suddenly emerging out of thin air was pretty weird to her.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, she was pleased to see that it was busy as usual. She handed her keys to the valet before entering the upscale restaurant. Jazzy didn't even have to utter any words before the hostess left her post to usher her inside.

As she followed behind the hostess, Jazzy's brow furrowed at the fact that she was being led to the back where Priest would usually hold many of their family dinners. Once they bypassed various tables filled with patrons, Jazzy rolled her eyes with laughter at the sight of J'Ru and Kaymen sitting at the usual table awaiting her.

J'Ru got up, pulling out a chair for her. She thanked him as she sat at the table. "You guys don't have to trick me into coming to lunch with you," she teased them.

The men both laughed. "We just wanted to check in with you to make sure you're alright," Kaymen stated with a light chuckle.

"I'm alright. Everyone can stop treating me like I'm so distraught," Jazzy assured the guys.

"We get it," J'Ru assured her with a nod. "But you know things are different now."