Page 54

Priest stood in the center of one of the empty show rooms. An accomplished smirk spread across his face. "You did it," he heard J'Ru say in a congratulatory tone as he applied a light squeeze to his shoulder.

Priest shook his head. "Nah, we did it," he corrected J'Ru.

Mayor Jenkins had granted Priest the rights and ownership of the strip mall in a timely manner. Priest had plans to successfully use the space strategically for not only storage, but for legitimate business as well. J'Ru stood beside him, his eyes glancing around the huge amount of space they now owned. "We the youngest niggas doing this shit!" J'Ru boasted loudly, causing Priest to laugh while agreeing with him.

They dapped each other up in a celebratory manner. "I'm glad y'all celebrating before we start war." Kaymen grasped their attention with a taunting smirk.

Both J'Ru and Priest shrugged dismissively with a laugh. For now, they were taking everything with a grain of salt. They knew that June would be coming for them sooner or later, but they were prepared. Nothing was going to shake them.

"Can't go in with a loser’s mentality, Kay," J'Ru chuckled.

Kaymen shook his head. "I don't lose," he asserted. "This the winning team. Ain't it?"

"Always has been," Priest let out arrogantly.

J'Ru laughed. "Except for that time we were all working dead end jobs," he recalled, causing Kaymen and Priest to laugh as well.

"Wasn't shit dead end on my part," Kaymen joked. Before he met Priest and J'Ru, Kaymen was actually in the process of becoming a paralegal. How things had shifted! How had he ended up in the position he was in now? He couldn't even tell you if he tried, but he didn't regret a thing. The brotherhood he'd gained from his drastic life change was appreciated, and he wouldn't have traded it for anything.

Priest smacked his lips jokingly. "Them tired-ass suits you used to wear was really fucking dead end, but that's another conversation," he heckled Kaymen, which caused J'Ru to double over in laughter.

Kaymen stale faced Priest while shaking his head. "If we can be mature for a minute, I'd like to talk business."

After their laughter, Priest and J'Ru straightened up. "So, where you wanna start with this?" J'Ru asked Priest.

"This spot gonna be filled up by next week. I need one of you here to get the furniture moved in. At that same time, we should have things moving out," Priest explained. Priest had a full-blown operation prepared to start up. He had legit inventory and a legit trucking business to move in and out of the city, and he planned on having legit books for financial records.

"Where you planning to be?" J'Ru raised a brow at Priest.

Priest sighed. "With Tasha. Little man's funeral is coming up." Jamari's death was still heavy on Priest's heart. He was taking it day by day. As unhealthy as Britain's coping mechanism may have seemed, it was working for him at the moment. He was hovering instead of smothering his emotions. "I just need someone handling shit while I'm taking care of Jamari's moms."

"No doubt. I got you," J'Ru assured Priest.

Priest thanked him before shifting his attention to Kaymen. "I need you to be on the departing end just to make sure everything is running smoothly. I'll have them routes to you by the end of the day." What they were doing was extremely risky, but Priest had evaluated every possible thing that could go wrong. He found a solution to every issue and an answer to every question. They were going to pull this off.

"Got it," Kaymen assured him with a quick nod.

"What's happening today?" J'Ru asked Priest.

Priest let out a sigh. "I need tight security for everyone," Priest informed them, causing J'Ru to roll his eyes. He had no problem with security; however, he wasn't much of a fan of having them around. He felt as though he could do without them.

"I gotta have them big-ass niggas with me too?" J'Ru smacked his lips.

"Can you stop complaining and just shut the fuck up?" Kaymen nudged him with a mean mug, causing Priest to chuckle.

Priest averted his attention to J'Ru. "Look, man. Do you, but I need everyone untouched and safe. Kaymen has eyes on Jadey at all times. I'll have eyes on Jazzy, Britain, Mirsad and my moms," he listed. "June's a grimy motherfucka, and it ain’t rare for him to touch family."

Although nothing had happened yet, Priest knew as soon as his shit leaked to the other side of the city, war would begin to brew. June moved quickly and liked to hit below the belt, so as far as Priest was concerned, everybody would be getting security.

"It'll be the last if he fuck with me and mine," Kaymen scoffed, causing J'Ru and Priest to laugh, agreeing with him.

"Cyro's gonna be with Britain, so no one hit him up," Priest disclaimed. He knew pushing a full-time security guard onto Britain would make her suspicious and uncomfortable, so he assigned Cyro to her to put her more at ease. She had grown used to Cyro, so it wouldn't feel awkward when he was trailing her and posting up in front of each establishment or home she visited.

After delegating the security detail amongst everyone, the men called the meeting. They wished each other safe travels wherever they were heading separately.

His phone went off on his lap, and Priest split his attention between the road and his device to answer the incoming call from Jazzy. "It’s been a few days," Jazzy teased, causing herself and Priest to chuckle.

"It has. You free right now? Lunch on me? " he suggested with a hopeful smile. His plans for the week were completely thwarted after Jamari's sudden demise. The day that would have been dedicated to Jazzy had now transitioned to Jamari's funeral. Priest had priorities, and luckily for him, Jazzlyn understood.

"Ouuu," Jazzy squealed in excitement. "You're treating me?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Where you at so I can slide through?"

Jazzy glanced around. Her normal had become the club. She had attained Priest's hustler's mentality, so she never took a day off. Who knew dancers needed so many custom pieces when they were usually known for not wearing any clothes at all?

"The club," she informed him.

Priest nodded, shifting lanes to turn in the direction of the club. "This little hustle is starting to become a little questionable,” he let out with a sigh.

Priest really wasn't feeling how much his little sister was in the club. Most nights, he had security with her, so that put him at ease a bit, but he really preferred she was elsewhere. However, that was how she was making her money, so he really couldn't knock her hustle.

"Don't trip. I'm not dancing, at least not on a pole," she cackled jokingly as Priest let out a stressed breath. Jazzy knew exactly how to push her brother's buttons.

"Jazzlyn-" Priest warned.

"I'm kidding," she assured him, still in the midst of laughter herself. "We should have lunch here. They have the best wings and burgers anyway.”

Priest nodded. "I'll be there in ten," he told her before they said goodbye to each other.

Priest kept the car silent as he drove. The sound of the scenery passing him by was soothing to him. Being in the car was honestly the most time he could get for himself, so he always basked in it. As promised, Priest pulled into the parking lot of the club. Stepping out, he pulled up his slightly sagging Amiri jeans while locking up his vehicle.

Upon entrance, Priest’s dark orbs glanced around. He couldn't understand how people could feel comfortable seeing randoms shake their ass in the middle of the day. To him, the strip club would always be a night life occasion. The club was occupied with men who found fulfillment in gawking at women during their lunch breaks from work. Priest let out a light chuckle as he approached the bar, not thinking about taking a seat in the lounge to catch the attention of a dancer.

Easing onto the leather bar stool, Priest was met with the beaming smile of a bartender. "I'm Angie, your bartender for today. Can I start you off with anything?"

"Get me a Red Bull," he requested.

Angie nodded her head, taking note of his request. "You don't drink?" she asked Priest, hoping to spark a conversation.

Priest shifted his attention from the text he had just sent Jazzy on his phone to Angie. "Not in the middle of the day," he responded to her while releasing a breath.

"Sounds like you've had a long day so far." Angie slid the Red Bull over to him along with a glass of ice.

Priest declined the glass of ice since the Red Bull was chilled enough. "Surprisingly, it hasn't been that bad today," Priest shrugged his shoulders.

"I can feel you on that." She lifted her hand as if she were in praise, which caused a light laugh to slip out of Priest. "Dudes here are a bit abrasive. They don't get that bartenders go by completely different rules than dancers. Like, nigga, you cannot touch me."

Priest laughed a bit once more. "That's wild." He shook his head. Priest never worried about a guy getting handsy with Jazzy while she was working because she knew how to put anyone in their place. Plus, her security wouldn't allow any nigga to get too close.

"You aren't one of those guys, right? I really hope not." A light frown embedded in her face.

Priest shook his head. "Nah. I don't touch what's not mine."

Angie was a bit shocked to hear that come from him. "Props to your mom for teaching you to be respectful." She clapped her hands lightly.

Priest took a drink of his Red Bull before settling into another light laugh. "Props actually go out to my shorty," he corrected her. "Chivalry is still a learning process for me," he admitted with a shrug.

"Lucky woman," Angie told Priest with a light smile.

"Lucky man," he corrected her once more.

Angie got sidetracked by the arrival of Jazzy, who slid onto the seat beside Priest. On the side of Jazzy was a guy she seemed to be blowing off. "My bad, PJ," she apologized for how long it took her to get out to him.

"You're good," Priest assured her as he took another swig of his Red Bull.

Jazzy turned in the direction of the guy who was still in her presence. "Kev, you still here? Don't you have anything better to do?" she asked him.

Priest’s dark orbs shifted from his sister to Kev, the guy she was dismissing. Their eyes met, both of them staring each other down. Priest could tell Kev was desperately trying to intimidate him, but he failed. While Priest continued eyeing him down, Kev shifted his attention back onto Jazzy.

"I didn't get your response yet," he continued to grill Jazzy.

Jazzy rolled her eyes, letting out a long sigh of irritation. "Tell him I said no. If he wants to ask me something, he needs to get out of his pussy and come ask me himself instead of sending his little assistant." She smirked while batting her lashes pettily.

Priest, who knew exactly how his sister operated, couldn't help but chuckle while shaking his head. "I ain't his assistant." Kev smacked his lips as his eyes seared into Priest, who had rubbed him the wrong way by laughing.

"Whatever you are," she waved him off. "My answer is still no. Now go on before you piss me off."

Kev smacked his lips angrily before heading off.

Priest shook his head. "This what you gotta deal with?" he asked while pointing to the guy as he walked off.

Jazzy laughed lightly with a shrug. "I can handle them. He's just always sweating me." She dusted her shoulders off arrogantly.

"Who? The assistant?" Priest’s brow rose.

Jazzy laughed at the fact that Priest had just referred to Kev as the assistant. "No, his homie," she enlightened Priest.

Priest never tried to involve himself in his sister's business much. She was young, but for the most part, he let her do her own thing. He never spoke to her much about men, simply because Jazzy was cut differently and had been around him and J'Ru long enough to understand how men truly operated. She was keen on all the manipulation and the smooth talk, and she knew how to navigate the risky waters just fine.

"I see you met Angie." Jazzy smiled lightly as she thanked Angie for the spiked lemonade that had become her usual.

Angie smirked at the agreement she and Jazzy had that Angie would serve her alcoholic beverages despite Jazzy being nineteen and Jazzy would hook her up with some custom pieces here and there. "This must be your younger brother."

Priest laughed at Angie considering him younger than Jazzy. "That's what she told you? I'm younger?"

Angie nodded her head while Jazzy laughed. "Fine. Older brother," she corrected Angie with a light groan.

Angie smiled. "What food can I get you guys today?" She handed both of them a menu.

Priest, who trusted Jazzy's judgement, allowed her to order for him. Angie took their orders before taking the menus away. "Looks to me like you're having more fun than working," Priest teased his little sister.

Jazzy smacked her lips. "If you want, I can take you backstage where I have five girls standing around ass naked for fitting." She shrugged her shoulders.

Priest shook his head with a laugh. "Nah, I'm good."

"What's been going on with you?" Jazzy asked him.

Priest let out a slightly drained sigh. "Getting all this shit sorted out for Jamari's funeral."

"Can't believe he's really gone."Jazzy leaned her head onto Priest's shoulder as she let out a sigh of her own. "He was such a great kid. I hate the fact that I didn't get the chance to see him once I came back from school. That was my little jailbait." She and Priest shared a laugh.

They both knew how much of a flirtatious little boy Jamari was. He liked to smile to showcase his braces whenever he spoke to women to swoon them. He really had a thing for women who were far out of his league and age group. He thought anything was possible, no matter how far-fetched it may have seemed.

"Tried to snatch up my shorty right in my face." Priest laughed as he recalled his last moments with Jamari.

"Yeah," Jazzy nodded her head. "He was bold like that. You did a good job with him."

"‘Preciate it," he thanked her.

"Have some kids already. You're a father figure to so many. You don't think you should be at least prepping for your own?" Priest had never really been pressured about children like everyone else because he never really had a parent who craved grandchildren. Priest was great with kids, but he just never saw himself having any.

Priest shook his head. "Nah, man. I can't bring innocence into this world just to be corrupted," Priest said to his sister just as their food was placed before them. They both thanked Angie before sharing a prayer so they could eat.

"Yeah, you didn't bring me into the world, but you did a great job taking care of me," Jazzy resumed the conversation. "Priest, your legacy can't just end at you."

Priest was still unconvinced. The world was just too cold for him to bring in such an innocent soul. Priest knew if he had a kid, his immediate instinct would be to shelter them for the rest of their life until he passed, and that wasn't healthy. Not to mention, Priest's thoughts of the future all included Britain. He didn't think he was selfless enough to allow her to love someone else unconditionally or even more than she loved him. Right now, Britain was all his, and he wasn't sure when he would get over that point.

"Not everyone is meant to have children. I love kids, but I don't think having my own would be good for me."

Jazzy sighed in defeat. "Well, at least you have me."

Priest chuckled as he put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Yeah, I got you, kid. But no children before marriage. We're traditional around here," he warned her sternly.

Jazzy okayed him with a laugh. Spending time with her brother felt good. Priest just wanted her to feel secure in his life. She was his little sister, and no one could replace her. After a great conversation and good food, Priest left Jazzy to get back to work. Once he got into his car, he drove in the direction of Britain's apartment. The day was beginning to decline, and he knew he would have to get ready for dinner with Britain soon.

When he arrived at her apartment, he parked his car right next to hers before getting out. He used his key, entering the apartment. Music snaked through his ears as he stepped out of his shoes. Britain stood in the middle of her living room with her TV remote in hand as she used it as a faux microphone.

A smile formed on Priest's face as Britain eyed him, swaying side to side to the soulful sound of India Arie's song, “The Truth.”

"‘ Cause he is the truth. Said he is so real. And I love the way that he makes me feel. And if I am a reflection of him, then I must be fly ," she sang along smoothly as she flagged him over with her hand.

Priest chuckled while shaking his head. He shuffled his feet over to her, wrapping his long and built arms around her small frame. He craned down, kissing her lips softly. She urged Priest to rock side to side with her as she serenaded him in his arms. " I remember the very first day that I saw him. I found myself immediately intrigued by him. It's almost like I knew this man from another life. Like back then maybe I was his husband, maybe he was my wife ," she continued to sing to him, evoking some laughter out of him as she caressed his face.

"C'mon sing with me, P." She held the remote up to his lips, hoping that he too would use it as a microphone and join her singing.

Priest shook his head with a laugh. "You don’t need no back up."

"Fair enough," she shrugged her shoulders. Britain continued to sing, adding her dramatic runs on her vocals here and there.

"What has you in such a great mood?" Priest questioned her with a small smirk.

Britain twirled around to the song, carelessly enjoying herself. "I got fired," she absentmindedly announced, cutting into the lyrics she was serenading him with.

Priest stopped swaying side to side with her. His dark eyes peered down at her, his thick bushy brows furrowed together. "What?" he asked her.

"You heard me, P. I got fired," she reiterated with a careless shrug before continuing with the song.

Priest let out a sigh as he took ahold of Britain's hand. She paid him no mind while he led her to the couch, taking a seat with her.

"Britain, you got fired," he told her, hoping that hearing him say it would help her realize that she had nothing to celebrate.

Britain nodded her head. "I know.”

"And you're okay with it?" He raised a brow at her.

Britain reached over, grabbing her phone. She paused the music, stopping it from playing loudly through her speaker. "I can't sit here and mope about it. I refuse to do that." She shrugged her shoulders.

"You got fired ‘cause of me, didn't you?" he asked her, his dark eyes staring into her light ones.