Page 45

Chapter Thirty-Four

Priest’s eyes shifted from the bezel of his watch to his dark tinted window. His vehicle was parked at the end of the street, and he had a perfect view of the home and the activity within it.He watched as the leather bag remained untouched on the front porch. He had Cyro drop the bag off on the front step of Sylvia's home a few minutes prior to his arrival. He was shocked to see Sylvia had yet to stumble upon it. The street was filled with darkness as the moon illuminated the sky. The suburban residential area Priest paid a good amount of money to keep Sylvia in was fairly quiet aside from a few cars coming in and out of the gated community.

Picking up his phone from his lap, Priest dialed his mother’s number. He hadn't spoken to her in a while. Their last conversation hadn’t really ended too badly. Priest knew the only reasons Sylvia was being distant now were either because she and Terrance had gotten into it, and he had likely left her battered and bruised or because they were financially fit at the moment and weren’t in need. The phone answered after a few rings, and Sylvia's hearty voice filled Priest's ears.

"What Priest?" She refrained from greeting him.

"Check your doorstep," Priest instructed her.

"Priest, what the hell are you talking about?" Sylvia furrowed her brows, rising from her spot on her couch anyway.

Priest didn't say another word. Instead, he waited for the door of his mother's home to open. From the car, Priest eyed his mother as she shifted her head around to catch a glimpse of anyone who was watching her. Priest, who was staked out in his car, went unnoticed by Sylvia. She glanced down and was met with the sight of the leather bag that was zipped shut. She was gifted a whopping total of $800,000.

Sylvia had obsessed so much over Leonard's money while Priest was growing up. Some days she would grow upset because Priest didn’t the same determination and excitement about finding it as she did.She always spoke about getting her hands on the money and being able to live life how she believed she should have since she had given birth to the notorious Leonard Justice’s bloodline. Priest was not only his first child, but he was Leonard's son, the one who would be carrying his name. Sylvia felt like she deserved it all.

Priest watched as she bent down to pick the bag up. She pulled the zipper to see what was inside. The money in the bag caused her eyes to widen in shock and excitement. "How much is this?" She quickly zipped the bag back and entered the house.

"$800,000," Priest replied to her. "It's from Leonard. Make good use of it,"he enlightened Sylvia who was now basking in the thought of being $800,000 richer. Once Priest's words registered with her, Sylvia's brows furrowed together.

"Everyone said he had a million dollars stashed away. This is only 800. Where's the rest?" Priest couldn't get over how greedy and money hungry Sylvia was. It was disappointing, but he expected this from her.

He leaned back in his seat while shrugging his shoulders lightly. "Let's just say you paid off some debt," he told her curtly.

"I don't owe you shit," Sylvia scoffed with agitation lacing her tone.

Priest scoffed back at her sly remark. She had some nerve to claim she didn't owe him anything. "You owe me your fucking life if we're being honest," he spewed. "Stay out of my way for a while," he advised her.

A silence poured from Sylvia for a moment. Priest had finally shut her up, and it was a damn good feeling. "Just like your fucking father," she spat with a shake of her head.

Priest clenched his jaws. "You would know. You spent all my fucking life up his ass, and all he did was show you how much he didn't want you. Maybe people were right. I wasn't the problem for him. You were," Priest spewed harshly at his mother.

"Here you are with the same old I want my daddy bullshit! Get the fuck over it, Priest!" Sylvia snapped at him as she took a seat on the Italian leather couch Priest had gifted her at her housewarming party for the home he purchased for her.

"I've been over it longer than you have," Priest stated. "Hopefully this money fulfills that emptiness Leonard left behind," Priest ended the call with that.

Sylvia considered this the usual treatment Priest gave her since they were almost always at odds with one another. Sitting her phone down, Sylvia averted her attention to what was important, counting every hundred to ensure Priest hadn’t shorted her more than he already had.

Priest decided to call it a night and return to Britain's apartment. His mind and heart felt lighter after the conversation with Sylvia. He was beginning to slowly let her go, and shockingly, it wasn't as hard as he thought it would be. In a way, he was preparing her for his absence as well. She was so used to depending on him for everything, whether it be bills or small inconveniences. With this money, Priest was going to observe how she handled her funds to fend for herself. If she wasted it like a senseless teen, he was going to wash his hands clean of her.

Priest knew if he explained his logic to Jazzy, she would think he was giving Sylvia too many chances just like he always did.With his mind lingering over to his younger sister, he decided to give her a call. She was currently at work holding up her end of the deal they made. Priest found club work a bit sketchy, but Jazzy assured him and J'Ru that she was neither dancing nor bartending. She was simply in charge of the ladies’ stage attire. Priest found her duties a bit off since at every gentleman’s club he'd ever attended, the ladies were wearing little to nothing but a piece of thread between their ass cheeks and pasties over anything else they weren't comfortable being out in the open.

Priest had Cyro and his security detail keeping a close eye on Jazzy. So far, he hadn't had to deal with any bad reports about Jazzy doing anything out of the ordinary, so things were good.

"Let me guess, another night with the shorty?" Jazzy assumed with a smirk on her face, not bothering to greet Priest.

Priest chuckled. "Always gotta be a fucking smart ass." He shook his head. "Where are you?"

"The club," Jazzy sighed as she glanced around the dressing room where she was seated.

"‘Sup with you? You sound down." Priest furrowed his brows together.

"It's nothing," Jazzy assured. "Taylor's on stage, and the one other person I kick it with, he isn't here, so I'm on my own tonight," she explained to her brother.

Screwing his face up, Priest questioned Jazzy. "He?"

Jazzy rolled her eyes while shaking her head. "Bye, PJ," she laughed before ending the call.

A part of him wanted to act out as her overprotective big brother, but he sided with the other part of him who was just going to let it go until she brought up the dating conversation again.

Once Priest arrived at Britain's apartment, he let out a breath of relief, finally able to go to bed and relax. After getting out of the car, Priest made sure to lock it up. He got into Britain's apartment with ease with the spare key.

Entering the apartment, Priest couldn't help but feel uplifted at the sight of Britain's vibrant decor. Britain was a strong believer in color healing, which Priest had no idea even existed, hence the fact that everything he had was a dull and simple color. Britain was slowly but surely introducing him to the benefits of vibrant colors and the tranquility of neutral colors.

Locking the door behind him, Priest stepped out of his sneakers. He sat his keys right next to the stack of money Britain refused to take. Britain was a prideful woman, which made her a challenge, but Priest enjoyed it, nonetheless.

Priest made his way to Britain’s bedroom. She had her lights set on dim while her speaker sounded off with soulful R&B. Priest pushed the door open, revealing Britain sitting in her bed with a pen in hand and her journal sprawled open on her lap. Upon his entrance, Britain lifted her head, locking eyes with Priest.

"What's the matter?" Priest furrowed his brows at her, concern lacing his voice. She looked as though a lot was on her mind, and the fact that she was journaling made it more obvious that something was bothering her.

Britain masked her face with a light smile. "It's nothing," she brushed it off while shutting the journal.Priest eyed her questioningly. Figuring she wasn't ready to talk, he let it go and shifted his attention elsewhere.

"How was your visit at Remy's?" he asked while taking a seat on the edge of the bed, hoping to have some sort of conversation with her before she called it a night and went to sleep.

Britain let out a deep sigh. "It was interesting," she admitted. "He kind of put two and two together about us," she chuckled lightly. "Wants to have a talk with you."

Priest released a light laugh. "I've had plenty of those talks. I think I'm good," he assured her. "How does he feel about it, though?"

Britain shifted closer to Priest, sitting with her feet tucked underneath her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "He's not happy about it," Britain mumbled.

Priest sighed. "I can see why." He nodded in understanding. "He wants us to go our separate ways?"

Britain shrugged her shoulders. "He just doesn't want me to get too caught up. I have a tendency to?—"

Priest interjected, finishing her statement. "Over invest yourself and not get the same in return. I do that too."

"I know, which is what I was trying to explain to him. I don't think he's upset about me being with you since he thinks you're a wonderful man," Britain explained.

"I owe that to him," Priest praised Remy.

"I think he's more worried about your situation and me getting wrapped up in it," Britain said to Priest.

Priest looked over his shoulder at her. "You told him I won't do that to you, right?"

Britain swiftly nodded her head. That was actually the first thing she made sure to clarify. Priest was adamant about Britain not being involved in anything he did. Her place was to be his woman. He wouldn't make her do anything out of the ordinary to put her in the line of danger.

"He wants to speak to you soon, so I think you should reach out tomorrow," Britain suggested.

"Heard'ju," he agreed. "I'm about to get in the shower. Maybe afterward you can tell me what got you sitting in bed in the middle of the night with such a long face." His raspy voice eased through the canals of Britain's ears.

He angled himself until he was facing her. She looked guilty, as if she had just gotten caught. "Whenever you're ready." He leaned into her, applying a light kiss to the corner of her plump lips.As he waded to the bathroom to start the shower, Britain couldn't mask the small smile that spread across her face. He noticed everything when it came to her.

Britain could overhear Priest get into her shower. She had to gather herself before she could tell Priest what really had her bothered. To her left was her journal that she had penned a few things in before Priest had come in. She hadn't written in it in a while, so it felt kind of foreign to her now.

Britain let out a deep sigh before getting out of the bed. She stripped herself of the panties and the oversized shirt she had on and sauntered toward the bathroom. Priest's steamy shower had already began fogging the room, causing the mirror and the sliding glass doors of the shower to blur with condensation.

After wetting his head underneath the shower, Priest ran his hand down his wet face. He glanced over to his left, seeing Britain's bare body. A smirk appeared on his face as he nodded to Britain, inviting her into the shower.Britain pulled the sliding door back, entering the shower with him. She grabbed the loofa from Priest's hands, giving it a light squeeze and causing the runny suds of the cucumber scented body wash to seep out of it. She rubbed it along his back, cleaning him soothingly.

"I'm gonna stop taking care of my mom," Priest announced with a deep sigh as he kept his attention straight ahead.

This was a shock to Britain. Sylvia was a touchy topic for Priest. Although pretty much everyone around him had come to the conclusion that she was unworthy of the phenomenal treatment Priest gave her, he was blind to her foul ways. All he wanted was to have someone around. He clung to Sylvia so much, despite her constant neglect, because she was present sometimes and she acknowledged him. Priest knew the relationship he had with his mother was as toxic as ever, but those were just the cards he was dealt.

"What made you decide that?" she asked in a light voice.

Priest shrugged his broad shoulders as he rotated around to face her. "I'm putting shit into perspective, I guess." He peered down at her.

"I hope you're making that decision for you and not to please anyone else." She raised a brow at him.

In return, he nodded. "All me," he asserted.

Britain smiled up at him as she wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. "I'm proud of you, P." She pecked his tender lips.

A sly smile outlined his lips as he wrapped his arms around her. "‘Preciate it, Gioia."

Rotating around, Priest and Britain swapped places so she was directly under the shower head. Priest took a step back, gazing at her bare body in awe. His hands traced her curvy sides as he craned down and kissed Britain's lips. The water rained down on them both, easing their bodies of the stress they had endured throughout the day.

"I love you," Priest mumbled against her lips.

Britain broke out into a smile in the midst of the kiss. "I love you too," she professed.

Priest's left hand trailed its way downward, his gentle touch against her wet core causing Britain's breathing to hitch. Slowly, he rubbed his fingers over her pearl in a circular motion. He and Britain locked eyes with each other, lust invading their eyes.

Priest craned down, applying his soft lips onto Britain's wet skin. His kisses trailed from her jawline down to her neck. The sensual touch caused light moans to flutter out of Britain as she held onto his muscular arms.

She felt Priest lift her up off the ground. He licked his lips sexily as he planted Britain's back against the wall. Full of anticipation, Britain let out a sharp breath as she felt Priest jolt her up higher to nestle his head between her thighs. Priest wasted no time, his tongue lapping flatly over the surface of Britain's pussy. Averting her eyes down at him, she watched as he buried his face deeper into her soaking wet folds, drenching his face with both water from their shower and her natural wetness.

Priest feasted on Britain. He kept his pace slow, savoring her sweetness as his tongue explored the inner pink flesh of her pussy. He curled and twisted his tongue before sucking on her clit slowly.

“Mhm, P," Britain whimpered as euphoria jolted through her bones.Her white painted toes curled as Priest kept his tongue on her core, flicking it up and down along the slit of her pussy.

With every slurp and lick he made to her center, his head moved from side to side as he attempted to navigate into the deeper depths of her soul.His massive hands gripped her thighs to keep them open since she had the tendency to run from him, unable to withstand the pleasure. Britain felt Priest's even-cut nails burrow into her smooth skin as she squirmed in his grip.A deep arch formed in Britain’s back as she peered down at Priest with a enamored look etched on her face. Her eyes were pleading as she whimpered out moan after moan. "Oh my— fuck― Priest!" she breathed out as her heart raced.

The steamy shower intensified the euphoric feeling that overcame Britain's body. The steam acted as a catalyst for the humidity, causing heat to overcome the room. Passionately, Priest French-kissed her slippery folds, letting her sweet scent invade his nose.Britain's mouth hung agape as the moan that was desperately attempting to flee her found itself stuck in her throat. She felt her stomach tighten into knots as the muscles in her legs stiffened. Knowing he had gotten her to that point, Priest swiftly swiped his tongue side to side over Britain's swollen clit.

"Ahh!" Britain screeched in overwhelming pleasure. Her high-pitched voice clouded Priest's ears, filling his heart with joy and boosting his ego all at once. The slow music from her speakers aired throughout the bathroom, relaxing their bodies.

Her body was limp and light, but her muscles tightened at Priest’s touch. Priest pulled his lips away from her folds before alternating the hold he had on her to his right arm to utilize his left hand to play with her pussy.

He fused his middle and ring finger together, caressing Britain's throbbing clit. His pace quickened, immediately urging Britain to clench her thighs shut, but Priest refused to allow her to do so. "Gimme eye contact, Britain," his rugged voice ordered her.

Mustering the strength, Britain bit down on her bottom lip as her feline-like orbs locked with Priest's dark ones. Before she could even let another moan sputter out of her, she creamed all over Priest's fingers. Her thick, sticky cum seemed to pool out of her nonstop as her legs shook mildly.Britain's brown orbs rolled to the back of her head in ecstasy as she clenched her hands into fists for leverage.

Priest held Britain's body in his arms, hoping she could recover from the extreme orgasm. Once she finally recovered, he sat her down on her feet.His perfectly aligned teeth sank into his soft bottom lip as Britain cupped her small hands around the girth of his thick dick. Slowly, she stroked him, marveling at his third leg. Britain was taking control, and Priest was enjoying every second of it. Sliding down to her knees, Britain’s tender hands continued to stroke his dick. Her orbs never left his as she bit down on her bottom lip seductively.Britain puckered her plump lips, kissing his dick from the bottom up to the tip. She devoted extra attention to the head, flicking the tip of her tongue over it repeatedly.

Priest’s jaws clenched in pleasure as Britain slowly slipped his dick into her warm mouth. Her jaws felt just as good as her tight pussy it was wrapped around him.

Conducting her craft with technique and diligence, Britain suctioned her jaws inward as she bobbed her head back and forth slowly. Priest was amazed by how much of him she was able to take in her mouth. The sound of the water pouring over them meshed perfectly with the light gags that crept out of Britain as his dick hit the back of her throat.Her hands gripped him nicely, allowing her to fondle the remaining inches she couldn’t take down. She twisted them in alternating directions, as her spit pooled out of her mouth, trickling down her chin and mixing with the water flowing down her chest.

"Damn," Priest moaned as he tilted his head back.

Britain pulled her head back, extracting him from the flesh of her mouth slowly. Priest had managed to compose himself, bringing his attention back to her. He watched as she let a generous amount of spit string out of her mouth and onto his balls and lather them before taking them into her mouth.

Multitasking, Britain continued to work magic with her hands. "You're so fucking sexy," Priest grunted in a husky voice that still sent a shiver up her spine.

She trailed her lips back up to the tip of his dick, never breaking eye contact with him. She took him completely into her mouth, tears brimming her eyes. Light gags surfaced out of her as Priest clenched her tresses. He tightened his grip, and she fell to his control, allowing him to dictate her pace.Her gags were louder as her pace became quicker. It didn't take long before this thick dick expanded in her mouth. His warm nut released, soaking into the bristles of Britain's tongue and traveling slowly down her throat.

Priest pulled himself out of a Britain's mouth, thoroughly impressed by her work. She rose from her knees, standing to her feet.

He lifted her from the ground by her waist, and she wrapped her legs around his torso as he pressed her bare back against the wall. His massive hands gripped the back of her thighs to support her, and they met for a passionate kiss as Priest's dick eased into the wet canal of her pussy.They moaned against each other's lips as Priest lifted Britain up and brought her back down on his shaft continuously. He worked his hips, stroking her deeply.

No longer able to contain herself, Britain pulled away from the kiss, letting a string of moans flow from her. The water from the shower soaked their bodies, blending with and rinsing away the sweat that was beginning to seep from their skin.Heavy breathing filled the shower as they both panted while their adrenaline peaked.Priest planted his big hands on either side of Britain's head, roughly thrusting his hips into hers. Britain clawed his back viciously as her mouth hung agape.

"Shit! Priest!" she cried out breathlessly.

Her face contorted with love expressions as she tried her best to suppress her tears.Priest was fucking her so good right now. He was passionate while handling her with the precise amount of roughness she loved.His heavy breathing snaked within Britain’s ears, intertwining perfectly with the sound of their skin colliding. His rugged grunts of pleasure caused Britain's heart to swell and stomach to tie into knots.Sliding her down from the wall and standing her up, he pulled his dick out of her, marveling at the thick coverage of juices she left behind. Priest turned Britain around. He grabbed her wrists and placed her hands against the transparent sliding door of the shower. He spread her legs wide as she bent over with a deep arch in her back.Wasting no time, Priest plunged back into her. A loud moan escaped her lips before she gritted out a slew of curse words.

Britain’s eyes clenched shut as Priest wrapped a handful of her tresses around his fist, giving it a slight tug as he stroked in and out of her. Mustering up her strength, Britain threw her ass back at Priest, combatting his strokes. The euphoric feeling overpowered both of their bodies. Priest sent a stinging smack to Britain's rear, watching it shake from the impact. Britain yelled out in pain and pleasure while gritting out another set of curse words.Priest felt himself coming to his peak, so he quickened his pace, hitting Britain's G-spot with every stroke he delivered. A piercing scream jolted out of Britain as her legs shook. She came all over Priest's dick, whimpering out moan after moan.Priest came right behind her. Before he reached the end of his peak, he glided out of Britain, his cum trickling down the smooth skin of her ass.

They were both breathless as Priest held Britain in his arms. He applied a loving kiss to the crook of her neck. "Who would've thought Gioia would have showed out tonight?" Priest chuckled with a smug smirk on his face.

Britain rolled her eyes. "Shut up," she laughed, nudging him slightly.

Priest and Britain cleaned themselves up thoroughly before getting out.Once they were dried from the shower, they got dressed for bed.

"You ready to tell me about this?" Priest raised a brow while he pointed to the journal that she had forgotten on the bed.

Britain grabbed ahold of the journal, putting it away in the drawer of her nightstand. It wasn't that she was in no mood to talk. She just didn't want to center a conversation around her feelings and have it crowd her mind as she slept. Priest cuddled her tightly in his arms. He could tell that whatever it was had a strong hold on her.

"Tell me something, Gioia,"he persisted.

"The day is coming up. That's all," Britain murmured. Priest knew exactly what she was hinting at. She was referring to the birthday of her daughter. Priest wasn't sure exactly how he was supposed to handle Britain throughout the coming day. She was sometimes hard to gauge when it came to these types of things, and she preferred to put her feelings on the back burner and act as though nothing ever happened in the first place.

Priest cleared his throat as he tightened the comfortable hold he had on Britain, pulling her even closer. "How soon?" he asked.

"Two days from now. I don't want to make it a big deal or obsess over it. Please don't try to treat me like I'm still in despair either. I'm fine," she concluded.

"You sure about that?" Priest raised a brow.

Britain quickly nodded in response. "Yeah. Please don't make it a bigger deal than I'm making it. Let me grieve the way I want, whether it's healthy or not," she asserted in a stern manner that slightly took Priest aback.

Priest glanced down at her, and unfortunately, the look on her face confirmed that there was no convincing her otherwise. "A'ight." Priest nodded.

"Promise me," Britain requested from him.

Priest didn't want to promise Britain that he wouldn't interfere with the way she handled things through her grieving, but he knew he was going to have to. He had never been the type to just turn the other cheek when someone he cared for was hurting, but at that moment, that was exactly what Britain was ordering him to do.

"You got my word," he promised. Britain could hear the hesitation in his voice, but he still promised her.

They eventually fell into a deep slumber together until the morning.