Page 25

Priest applied a subtle knock on the door. Darkness shrouded the area outside, with only streetlights decorating the ends of each corner. Glancing down at his watch, Priest was slightly alarmed at the fact that he had left the comfort of his own home, but he felt compelled to do so. His mind just couldn't stop working in overdrive, no matter how many times he tried to sleep.

The door opened, and Britain peeked through the slight opening. Her hair was wrapped in her silk hair bonnet, and she was clothed in a pair of shorts and an oversized wife beater that draped along her bare breast. At the sight of Priest, Britain's brows furrowed. She wasn't expecting him to pop up at her front door at two in the morning.

Running her orbs over him, she noticed he was dressed in a pair of gray sweats, a white tee that peaked through his jacket and his Nike socks and slides. "These are booty call hours, sir." A yawn slipped out as she stepped aside to let him in.

A light chortle sounded from him. "My bad. I just knew you'd have all the answers," he admitted as he ridded himself of his hoodie along with his slides.

"Pertaining to?" Britain asked as she led the way back to her bedroom. They navigated through the dark apartment just fine before they arrived at the bedroom. Britain flicked the light on, now aware that Priest wasn't looking forward to sleeping. She was definitely shocked to see him. Jazzy was in town, and she thought he would be far too busy with her and his trial to stop by. She had prepared herself for fewer phone calls and texts and sporadic dates with him.

As she got comfortable in the bed, Priest stood at the end of it just eying her. Staring at his thick furrowed brows and scowl, she could tell that he was stressed out about something, but she had no clue what it could be.

Lifting the duvet on the left side, Britain tapped the empty side of the bed, signaling him to join her. Priest shuffled over with his alluring gait that caused butterflies to accumulate in Britain's stomach.

"What's the matter?" she questioned him once more as he now lay beside her. There was a clear distance between the two as they lay on their backs letting the white ceiling be the only thing in their range of sight.

Priest said nothing. He wasn't sure how to put his thoughts into words. His mind was cluttered with all types of things, good and bad. His thoughts ranged from joyous memories with Jazzy and J'Ru to flashes of hatred and anger toward different people who came in and out of his life throughout the years. Priest knew staying up until the wee hours of the morning the night before trial wasn't a good idea, but he just couldn't help it.

He was about to commit himself to an hours-long discussion about his past that could determine his future if he was allowed to have one. "Can't sleep," Priest muttered as he tucked his arm behind his head while the other folded into Britain's. Slowly, he caressed her knuckles with the pad of his thumb, before bringing her hand up to his lips for a kiss.

"Why not?" Britain asked in a light voice, which made him feel warm and welcome. She had the ability to make him forget all his worries and just focus on everything else that made him happy. This was why he rushed to her house. He knew she would make him feel better by just listening and being around.

Priest let out a sigh. She was no longer lying down on her back since she had now turned over to her side to face him. While one hand was folded into Priest's, the other one found its way to his burly chest, which she slowly ran her hand up and down in an attempt to calm him a bit. He blinked for a few moments, trying to gather his thoughts the best way he knew how. Britain took notice of his long, thick lashes that batted whenever he blinked. They had the slightest curl to them. It was what prevented Britain from being afraid to look him in the eye. Although his orbs were nothing but darkness, his lashes gave him a sense of innocence that many people looked past.

"My mind. Every time I try, I just end up thinking about shit that keeps me up," Priest admitted.

Britain nodded her head. She too knew that feeling all-too well. "You're worried."

"I'm not worried," Priest quickly refuted, offended that she would accuse him of being worried. He was Priest Justice. There was no room for worry.

"Priest, it's okay to worry," she attempted to assure him, only for him to shake his head.

"I'm not worried. What is there to be worried about, Britain?" he asked, truly believing she had all the answers.

Britain had an idea of what he could possibly be worried about, but she decided not to say. It was just too soon. Wrong timing had the ability to bring the worst out of situations.

Britain shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me."

"I can't. I just feel like things will no longer be progressing. Somewhat feels like the end," he explained.

"You're losing hope in yourself?" Britain hiked up a brow. As much as Priest wasn't trying to sound hopeless, that was how it came off. It was foreign to her, but instead of dramatizing it, she was going to help him through it.

Priest remained solid.

The man who hated when others lost their faith in him was losing faith in himself. It was unbelievable. He didn't want to admit it, but his silence told Britain all she needed to know.

"Can I tell you something?" Britain locked eyes with him.

Priest quickly nodded his head. He was out of the hot seat, and Britain was allowed to vent. "I've lost hope in myself too," she informed him with a light smile.

"That's not what I'm trying to hear," he chuckled a bit.

Britain nodded with a light laugh matching his. "I know, but I'm normalizing it for you, so you don't think less of yourself. Everyone has hit a low point in their life. It's not a bad thing. It builds strength, which you have a lot of. The issue you're having is that you're fighting off the feeling to uphold what comes with being Priest Justice— hard exterior, no worries, and a laid-back demeanor. I'm not gonna call that a front since that's part of you, but that's not all of you."

Britain's words resonated with him. All his life, Priest had to act accordingly. The slightest misstep would cause shit to go downhill with him, and he couldn't risk that, especially with him living not only for himself, but for Jazzy as well. Britain enjoyed his roughness. It gave her a sense of security; however, she never wanted that to overpower who he actually was.

She had seen so much more in Priest. He was funny, charming, almost as goofy as she was, and he enjoyed throwback R being inside her gave him all he needed. He focused on Britain the entire time, wrapping his burly hand around her throat when needed, telling her how beautiful she looked whenever she was calling out his name with her overwhelmed love faces, and securing her in his strong arms after she came all over his dick.

He studied her long enough to know he was the first to ever study her. He was the first to have enough patience to watch her, learn her, react to her. Priest was proud of that fact. His woman was something no man should know better than him, and Priest made sure of that.

"Just a little," Priest throated out as he peppered sweet kisses along her jawline.

Britain swallowed hard. "Priest, please ," she croaked before a moan escaped her lips.

Satisfied with the way his name rolled off her tongue, Priest plunged himself deep inside her. Her mouth was agape as she took in a sharp breath before exhaling one out. "Look at me when I'm fucking you, Gioia. Alright?"

Britain mustered up the strength to open her eyes that were clenched shut in the overwhelming bliss Priest was blessing her body with. Her feline-like eyes locked with his dark ones as she bit down on her plump bottom lip. Tears wet her lashes as her eyes slowly began to shutter at the increased pace of his strokes.

Moan after moan strung out of Britain as her body jerked with every stroke Priest made. She clenched her walls tighter around him, evoking a loud grunt out of Priest. The kisses he was once pecking all over her neck changed into small love bites that he smoothed his tongue over to gently soothe.

"You're my gray, Britain. The calm when I need it," he praised her, keeping his voice low and near her ear. "I don't want you anymore, Brit. I need you," he clarified. Her response was another moan ripping through her as she rested her head on his shoulder, no longer finding the strength to attempt to keep up with him. Priest did things to her body that no man ever had, and he seemed to know his power.

"I need you too, Priest," she declared.

Priest and Britain both knew exactly what they were trying to say. Feeling so foreign and afraid they couldn't come to terms with admitting it properly, they did the best they could. Although they felt confident that they knew what each other meant, they weren't going to express that to each other. Neither wanted to come off too strong or look like they read too much into the situation. Yes, they were both afraid, but the feeling was there. It would always be there.

Priest ended their session by cumming inside of Britain while she came all over him. Sealing the passionate and cinematic moment with a kiss, Priest sat Britain down on her feet. She felt as if she were walking on air, light and more carefree.

Priest followed behind Britain as she trekked to her bedroom. He shuffled behind her and into the bathroom so they could both clean themselves up. Neither said a word to the other. They were both in a daze and content with the fact that they both needed each other, and nothing was one sided.

Once they were both finished cleaning themselves up, a yawn escaped Priest’s lips. Britain smirked at the fact that he had grown tired from their little session. She knew a full stomach of breakfast would ease him into a nice slumber, but having sex instead was a win for them both.

"Put you to sleep, huh?" she taunted him.

Priest turned away from her and began making his way toward her bed. "Don't let this shit gas you," he scoffed jokingly.

Britain laughed in victory. "Too late." She shrugged her shoulders with confidence. "Sleep tight."

In the following hours, Britain couldn't find it within herself to sleep. She stayed up, watching Priest's chest rise and fall peacefully within his slumber. When the alarm on his phone went off, she cut it off before it could awaken him. Gently, Britain ran her fingers through his beard.

"Priest, it's time to wake up," she advised him soothingly.

Priest wasn't much of a heavy sleeper, so his eyes fluttered open in an instant. "Good morning." His husky voice embraced her as he ran his hand down his face. He felt good and somewhat rejuvenated waking up.

"Good morning." She smiled lightly. "I'm gonna get started on cooking breakfast. Any requests?" She raised a brow.

Priest shook his head. "No need. I have to get going so I don't be late. See you later today." He rose to his full height, slipping his slides back onto his feet while reaching for his jacket.

Britain sighed. It was a bit nerve-racking to see him go, but she didn't want to worry him more than he already was. She wanted so badly to be by his side this morning but respected his wishes and opted out of going.

"Alright," she sighed as she remained in bed.

"You not gonna walk me out?" he asked as he extended a hand to her, indicating that he wanted her to.

Britain rolled her eyes playfully before putting her hand in his. He whisked her out of the bed, causing her to laugh before he sat her down in front of him. "I prayed all night." She gazed up at him.

"I appreciate it.” He wrapped his arms around her.

Britain laid her head against his chest, listening to the strength of his heartbeat as they stood in her bedroom. "I gotta get going," he said to her while applying a light kiss on top of her head.

Britain nodded before she began leading the way out. "Thank you for last night," he expressed his gratitude.

Britain smiled up at him. "It's nothing. You'll get through this, and I'll be there every step of the way." She lifted her hand up, initiating a high five.

Priest chuckled before slapping his hand with hers. They said their final goodbyes to each other before Priest made his way to his car and she returned to her apartment.

As he climbed into his car, his phone chimed with a call from J'Ru. He sighed before answering, knowing that he was about trip on him. "Now, how the fuck are you not home to get ready for this trial?" was the first thing J'Ru asked, not bothering to give Priest a proper greeting.

Priest chuckled. He had gotten used to J'Ru's constant nagging about him needing to be punctual for everything. "I'm on my way," he assured.

J'Ru smacked his lips with a shake of his head. "Alright. I'm gonna get ya moms. Is Jazzy coming with? She's getting ready like she is," J'Ru pointed out.

Priest screwed his face up. "No. Have Kaymen stay with her. Make sure she knows it's my orders."

J'Ru nodded his head. "I got you. Stay up." The two friends said their goodbyes as Priest continued the drive back to his penthouse. His mind ended up wandering, and he chuckled to himself at the fact that it landed on Britain. The thought of her brought an immediate aura of relaxation and happiness. He wasn't sure how he would have coped if he hadn't shown up at her place the night before. She handled everything perfectly, and it showed Priest that he could count on her when he was down.

Arriving at the penthouse, Priest’s eyes scanned the array of black on black, bulletproof SUVs his people had lined up out front. His security detail was doing a great job of keeping the media away from the vehicles as their burly frames guarded the perimeter of the SUVs.

Parking his car in his reserved parking section, Priest made his way into the building. He bypassed his security measures with his palm print, and the elevator doors to the top story penthouse glided open. He was met with the hasty movements and rushing faces of everyone inside. "Man, deal with this shit. I gotta go get your moms." J'Ru shook his head as Jazzy cut her eyes at him with her arms folded across her chest.

Priest entered the penthouse, sitting his keys on the counter where Talia was claiming all the dirty dishes left behind from J'Ru, Kaymen, and Jazzy eating breakfast. "Look." Priest glanced over to Jazzy who was sporting a lethal mean mug on her face. "I don't really have the time to deal with the attitude right now. I gotta get ready to go," Priest explained to her as he dapped Kaymen up.

"Why can't I go with you?" Jazzy asked, not liking the fact that J'Ru had just informed her that she would be getting babysat by Kaymen and not supporting her brother. "You're taking her and not me? What paradox are you trapped in?" She screwed her face up, referring to Sylvia being able to accompany him for the trial.

Priest turned on his heels to face his little sister. The longer she stayed out in Paris the more he forgot how bratty she could be. Here she was doing what she did best, acting and whining to get her way. "Listen, this not gonna be up for discussion. You're not going, and that's final," Priest concluded as he began making his way toward his bedroom through the extended hall of the penthouse.

He could hear Jazzy let out a loud groan. "Do I have to stay with Kaymen, though?! He doesn't even talk!" Jazzy cut her eyes at Kaymen, who shot her his signature stale face that he kept on practically all the time.

Priest chuckled a bit. "He talks, just not to you!" He enlightened her. Kaymen was real low key and didn’t like to say too much, which was why Priest and J'Ru rocked with him so heavy. He didn’t enjoy the clout and glamour of everything, nor was he trying to impress anyone. Many thought Kaymen lacked the fundamental vocabulary of a decent human being at times, since he didn't speak much, but around those he was comfortable with, he opened up a bit. Jazzy, who wasn’t really around, never got the chance to get Kaymen comfortable, which was why Priest determined Kaymen to be perfect for the job of keeping Jazzy on the straight and narrow until his trial was over for the day.

After taking a much-needed shower and getting dressed in a fine tailored Giorgio Armani suit and black leather penny loafers, Priest was ready to go. The color choice for his suit was an alluring deep navy blue that contrasted with his golden skin tone perfectly. A black turtleneck was topped with the double-breasted suit jacket, coordinating the gold detailing on the jacket’s buttons with the gold jewelry he fastened around his neck. He ran his hands down his face as he gave himself a final once over and then smoothed his hands over the lapels of the suit as he adjusted his posture.

"Priest Kanaz Justice," he recited to himself in confidence, reminding his once hopeless self of who he was.

As he exited his bedroom, his loafers graced against the oak wood flooring. "Mr. Justice, don't you want to grab something to eat for the road?" Talia asked with a light smile on her face.

Priest shook his head, assuring her that he was fine. "Thank you, Talia, but I'm fine. Tonight, if you can, I'm hoping to celebrate Jazzy's return."

The light smile on Talia's face grew since she was always fond of the way Priest took care of Jazzy. She had been around long enough to know that Jazzy meant world to Priest. "I'll have her favorite prepared. How many should I be expecting?"

Priest let out a sigh. He would have wanted his mother to join them, but he knew nothing good would come from having her in the same room with Jazzy. "The usual; me, Jazzy, and J'Ru," he rattled off the list to Talia who nodded.

A smirk crept across Talia's face. "Not that woman Jazzy thinks you've fallen for?" she teased. Jazzy had been talking her ear off about the sudden changes in Priest.

Priest couldn't help but laugh a bit while shaking his head. "Don't let Jazzy feed you nonsense," he jokingly warned her. "Thank you for breakfast. We appreciate it."

"I'll appreciate it when you eat some." She smiled as she handed him an already packed plate of breakfast. He chuckled, knowing that Talia took her job of keeping him fed with her refined cooking very seriously.

He thanked her for his breakfast before saying goodbye to her. Before he could exit the penthouse through the elevator, he turned on his heels to speak to Jazzy who was still sporting her attitude about staying behind with Kaymen. "Don't give him a hard time," he warned her.