Page 6

Chapter Five

The next day, Priest found himself in the driver's seat of his Range Rover rolling through his old stomping grounds. Thinking back, he couldn't believe that just a few years before, he had slowly begun to grow comfortable, lose hope, and feel stagnant. Now, he was the opposite. He no longer had to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to commit himself to a twelve-hour shift at Mansfield Landscaping. He no longer had to go back and forth with his landlord about having hot water during the frigid winters. He no longer had to get pocket checked by the Feds whenever he went up the street for groceries. He was living a whole new life, one he only used to dream of. As different as things were now, Priest never lost touch with where he came from. He paid respect, gave back, and helped. Priest could never imagine the day he turned his back on his home: Harlem.

As he stepped out of the Range, his Balenciaga sneakers made contact with the cement as he ran his hands down his jeans. Shutting and locking the car up, he looked up to the fifteen-floor building he used to reside in.

After a year of acknowledging his financial situation was more than healthy, Priest took it upon himself to buy out the old owners of the building. Since owning the building, Priest had brought it up to code and made sure it was equipped with functioning heat and proper air conditioning, running hot and cold water, better living quarters, and assisted rent. He wanted his residents to live well without having to worry about how they were going to come up with $1,000 or more for rent. All he asked for was a monthly payment of $650 and proof of steady income, and Priest was willing to help.

Most of the residents were single mothers, struggling to provide for their kids with low-end jobs, or veterans who were homeless once upon a time and had nowhere to go. Priest opened the doors up for them and helped them get better jobs so they could live better. His efforts didn't just stop there. Priest owned multiple businesses where his main goal was to hire the less fortunate. Since elevating his lifestyle, Priest had adopted a different outlook on life. He was able to see that the people who didn't have the funds, the housing, the food, the clothes, or the opportunity had way more drive and a much better work ethic than people who did.

He vowed that every business he opened and every building he owned and leased out was going to help the community in some way. The staff at his businesses and the tenants in his housing units would consist of single mothers, the less fortunate, and people who were trying to get out of the unfortunate lifestyle. Priest wouldn't have it any other way. He didn't take a single thing for granted, which was why he was so passionate about helping others. He really didn't know what curveball God could throw his way. He could be living well today and then be down tomorrow. All he knew was if there was someone like him willing to give him an opportunity or a safe place to stay, he would’ve been forever grateful.

Approaching the building, Priest greeted and smiled at tenants who were happy to see him. He tried his best to stop in as much as he possibly could. Whenever he stopped by, he was welcomed with open arms and love.

Upon entering, Priest was pleased by the look of the place. Everything was clean, the renovations were finished, and the building looked to be in tip top shape. The first floor of the building contained the leasing office area, and in the back, there was a day care service Priest offered to the parents who really didn't have a reliable place to leave their children while they went to work. The day care was safe for children, convenient for the tenants, and the staff was just one big, happy family.

"Oh, you're doing pop ups now?" Priest chuckled at the little funny face his cousin, Nia, was making at him.Nia was the building manager. Priest trusted her for the job, and, with her situation not being too different from a lot of the tenants, Priest knew she would have the same passion and drive he had when it came to his mission. Nia managed the entire building with a staff of three other women underneath her authority. She had started off as a resident of the building, and she still lived in the same unit she occupied before Priest bought and renovated the place. Her loyalty was unmatched, and he was just glad to give his cousin the chance to show that she was more than her past drug addiction.

"Nah, it ain't like that. I'm actually coming through before I stop to see a friend. I came to see how well you’re running the place." Priest greeted her with a hug while explaining the reason why he didn't shoot a call out first.

Nia nodded her head in understanding. "Everything is going well, as always. Unit 6A had their rent a little late, but I waived the late fee. You can just take it out of my pay," Nia explained while handing Priest the stack of money orders she had accumulated since the beginning of the month.

Priest took the money orders from her hand and fanned his hand through them. "All 165 are there, Mr. Justice." Nia smirked teasingly. She knew he would count through them at least twice to make sure the accounting part of the businesses was okay before he went off to the bank to cash them. Since Priest took the responsibility of paying a base portion of all the residents’ utilities, he had to make sure the same money he was spending was being put back in so he would be able to continue to offer these perks and services to the tenants.

"Don't worry about that fee on your pay. You’re good," Priest assured her. "I can't thank you enough." Nia waved him off.

"I should be saying that to you. Only the Lord knows where I would be without you." Nia was extremely appreciative of her little cousin Priest. He was that safe haven and help she prayed for when she no longer knew what direction to take her and her son's lives.

"You did this on your own, Nia. I just gave you the opportunity. You always had it in you,” Priest assured her with a smile.

Nia leaned in and hugged him once more. "Thanks, Priest. God has blessed you with so much, and I just hope and pray that He continues to do so."

"I appreciate that. I'm gonna head out so I can make it to the bank before it closes. Thanks, Nia." He gave her a hug goodbye.

Nia waved him off. "It's nothing, Priest."

After sharing a few words and Priest promising to stop by to pick up a plate of the dinner Nia was cooking, he was on his way out to visit an old friend. As always, the traffic was fucking haywire, but Priest listened to music to keep his road rage to a minimum. When he finally arrived, he parked his car in front of the home and got out. His presence drew a lot of eyes and caused the activity on the block to slow down and attention to gravitate toward him.

Priest's come-up story was one a lot of people never understood. One second, he was a regular guy, and the next, he was riding in foreign cars and taking international trips. No one really knew how to connect the dots to his lifestyle, but they knew better than to ask. They wondered how he did it. What was his come up and hustle?

"Boy, you sure the news ain't following you?!" Remy, who was smoking a blunt on his porch, asked Priest with a chuckle.

Priest waved him off with laughter of his own. "Nah. You know I know how to flee and elude." Priest walked up the steps of the porch with his hand extended in front of him, initiating a greeting. Remy dapped Priest up, and they shared a hug.

"What got you back on this side? Don't you live in the Hamptons or some shit?" Remy raised a curious brow at Priest. Priest cracked yet another laugh.

"Now, if I told you where I lay my head, would that be keeping a low profile like you always told me to?" His fingers ran through his beard as he watched Remy think about contradicting himself.

"Keep playing your cards right, little nigga." Remy chuckled with a satisfied nod.

Priest took his privacy extremely seriously. J'Ru and his mother were the only ones who had the leisure to come and go to his home. Other than them, no one else was allowed. The media managed to crowd the lobby of the building where he was residing temporarily during his trial. He didn't too much care about that since the place he considered home remained unknown. He had everyone fooled into thinking he resided in the 212 Fifth Avenue residential building.

Priest nodded his head with a smirk. "I came here to holla at you about something."

Remy was a well-known figure in the streets. Although he felt like his reputation had run its course and he was ready to put it all behind him, everyone still showed him mad love and respect. He felt old in spirit since he had been running the streets for so long, but physically, he looked as if he hadn't aged at all. At 48 years old, he remained built, and his stature was somewhat burly. Tattoos inked both of his arms entirely. Priest met Remy when he was young and doing dumb shit. Remy saw the potential in both Priest and J’Ru, so he groomed them to be young men and took their mind off the mentality of having to sell drugs to survive. J'Ru listened while Priest, on the other hand, continued to rebel.

Remy knew he couldn't force Priest to listen, so he just let Priest do him until one night, Priest came by searching for guidance. He and Remy sat down and just talked for hours upon hours. Priest broke down and shed a few tears, and Remy gave him the proper essentials he needed to live life as a man instead of a little boy. Remy gave him wisdom, hope, and encouragement, all of which Priest lacked at the time.

Remy scoped the area before he killed his blunt and rose to his feet. "Come inside." He led the way into the home. Priest was always welcome; however, he hadn't been by in a while. In all the years he had frequented Remy's place, it was always cold, bland and empty. Remy had no wife, nor did he have much family. He always told Priest and J'Ru that God made him to die alone, and he was okay with that. Sometimes, Priest and J'Ru felt sorry for him, but Remy immediately ridded them of that feeling once he told them why he preferred being alone. It just meant there were less people he had to look out for. J'Ru and Priest respected that.

"It looks different in here. It’s finally got some color." Priest peered around, admiring the added pieces and decor of the home. The splashes of royal blue that were added to the place blended perfectly with the dark gray and black color scheme Remy preferred.

Remy chuckled as he led the way to the living room. "Yeah, my daughter insisted on putting some spirit, as she calls it, in here." He shook his head at how incapable he was of saying no to his daughter.

Priest eyes widened. "Since when did you have a daughter?"

"Found out about her a couple of months ago. Missed out on 28 years of her life, but she claims we can spend the rest of our lives making up for it." A loving look flashed his eyes as a smile graced his face.

"That's what's up, man. Not a lot of kids would be able to put the past aside and accept the present and future. I know for damn sure I can't." Priest shook his head with a grimace. The thought of being that accepting and willing to build a relationship with his father was sickening. The way Leonard neglected him when he needed him the most prepared Priest to neglect his father when the roles are reversed and his father instead needed him the most.

Remy agreed with Priest. "What's up with you, though? I been peeping the news. They pretty hot on your ass."

Priest waved the mention of the news off dismissively. "Nothing I can’t handle, especially if I get your help with something."

Priest turned his phone off since he was about to talk about something confidential. He eyed Remy, whose brows were scrunched together. He was slightly alarmed since he wasn't sure what he could assist Priest with. "Pertaining to?" Remy asked.

Priest cleared his throat. "Remember that cat Tony? The one me and Ru was running with a while back?" Remy nodded, signaling Priest to proceed. "He crossed me. The Feds got him flipped on his back like a bitch. He's at a safehouse out in Rochester. I need him out before they get him up on that stand next week."

Remy sighed. "You know I don't get down like that no more. I'm too old for that shit."

Priest sighed in return. "Man, you know if I could do it myself, I wouldn't even ask you. I just need this one favor."

Remy shook his head. "I can't, but I know someone who can. He's legit. How much you putting up?"

"Forty bands, but it gotta be easy in, easy out. I'll pay them twenty up front. They get the rest once the job is done," Priest explained.

Remy nodded while running his fingers through his facial hair. "He's gonna be interested. Contact goes through me, right?"

To keep himself out of the loop and avoid any additional charges, Priest wanted absolutely no contact with whoever Remy felt was suitable for the job. "Right," Priest confirmed. He reached into his back pocket, extracting the piece of paper J'Ru had given to him the day before with the Rochester address on it and sliding it over to Remy.

"I'll hit you when everything’s in motion," Remy assured.

Priest stood up, initiating a handshake with Remy. "I appreciate you for looking out," he expressed his gratitude. "Remember, if you need anything, I got you."

"You stopping by is enough. Keep your chin up, young man. Don't let the negativity and hate turn you into a coward," Remy spat words of wisdom that Priest remembered Remy telling him when he was younger, bringing on a sense of nostalgia.

The two shared a hug. "Love," they said simultaneously before pulling away. Remy began walking Priest out. Priest waved goodbye to Remy once more before turning on his heels to head to his vehicle.

Priest noticed a deep gray Dodge Charger as it pulled up right behind his vehicle, causing his brow to furrow a bit. The door of the Charger swung open, causing Remy to chuckle.

"Hey, baby girl! I didn't know you were stopping by!" Remy stood tall on the porch with a smile on his face.

The woman closed the car door while balancing two styrofoam to-go plates in her hand. "I have to meet with my friend in a few, but I thought it would be fun to stop by with breakfast," she explained while her attention was focused solely on the placement of her feet, afraid that if she took one misstep, she would go tumbling down in her heels and the breakfast would be all over her.

"Priest, help my baby girl with those plates, will you?" Remy requested as he lit his blunt again.

At the mention of the unique name, her head shot up, snatching her attention from her feet and onto Priest's familiar frame. Her soft eyes locked with his dark and hooded ones, which ultimately resulted in her losing her balance in her heels. Priest reacted quickly and held his hands out for her, securing them at the small of her back and allowing her to regain her balance. Once she was stable on her feet, he took the two plates out of her hands.

"You sure you know how to walk in those?" Priest pointed at the open toed stilettos. The heels paired nicely with the stone-gray dress that hugged her body to perfection and was topped with a matching coat. The color coordinated outfit was nice on the eyes and contrasted her cocoa butter skin perfectly.

She released a sigh before readjusting her feet in the heels. "I'm trying. I really am. These are taller than I usually go for," she chuckled.

Priest let out a chuckle, reminding her of the night she first crossed paths with him. Just like the first time they met, he opted not to respond to her and instead walked the two plates to the porch where Remy was awaiting them. He handed the plates off to Remy, causing them both to thank him.

"Priest, meet my daughter—" Remy started to introduce the two, but Priest interjected.

"Britain. “Humans of New York.”" His raspy voice filled Britain's ears while his eyes never left hers. Remy was confused by how Priest knew who his daughter was and what she did for a living. Priest could feel Remy's eyes searing into the side of his face in protection of his kin. "We've met before." Priest detached his hooded orbs from Britain and averted them to Remy.

Britain swallowed down the lump of nerves that accumulated in her throat. She thought Priest wasn't going to mention that the two were acquainted with each other. During the few months she had been around her father, she had learned that he didn't allow any outsiders in on his life, and certainly no outsiders got to meet her. "We met at my best friend Jadey's wedding," Britain further explained. Remy nodded his head, shifting his eyes between the two.

"'Preciate you for stopping by, Priest. I'll hit you soon," Remy concluded, ending the stare down Priest and Britain were having.

Priest let out another one of his chuckles. "Cool. Hand my contact over to Britain when you can," he told Remy.

Britain shifted her weight from one foot to the other. For the life of her, she couldn't understand how Priest was bold enough to openly insinuate that he wanted to continue getting to know her to her own father.

"You still want my story, right?" Priest raised a brow at Britain who was so filled with nerves she was only able to nod her head in front of her father. Remy cleared his throat before peering down at both Priest and Britain who stood at the bottom of the porch.

"Nice seeing you again." Priest smiled while extending his hand to Britain. Britain did the same, shaking his hand with a smile of her own. The feeling of his massive hand engulfing her smaller one caused a shudder to rush up her spine.

"Nice seeing you again, too."

With that, Priest made his way toward his car, his gait just as dominant and alluring as Britain remembered it.