Page 148 of The Love of Priest

Kaymen let out a sigh before shrugging. "If you want to, mama. If you do, prepare for the worst," he said to her with a bit of sympathy before kissing her on the forehead for encouragement.

"I'm going over there," she announced while nodding, causing Kaymen to drop his arms from around her waist. "Wish me luck."

Jadey slowly made her way over to Britain in hopes she wouldn’t try to avoid the conversation. Only a few feet away from Britain and Priest, her walking halted immediately at the sound of ear-piercing shots sounding through the park.

Loud shrieks of fear meshed with the sounds of back-to-back gun shots. As others scattered in fear for their lives with hopes of gaining shelter from the bullets, Priest secured Britain in his strong arms, pulling her down to the ground to shield her from any stray bullets.

Kaymen rushed toward Jadey, shielding her from bullets as well. No one knew where the bullets were coming from or who they were aimed at. All Priest was worried about was protecting Britain, while Kaymen was worried about protecting Jadey.

With their hearts racing and the fear of their lives being snatched senselessly from them, Britain remained underneath Priest, praying that no one got hurt.

When the shots finally ceased, Priest’s dark eyes darted around, checking to see if the coast was clear. Sure enough, nothing in their vicinity was alarming, so he stood up, helping Britain up.

"You alright?" he asked her with a look of deep concern webbed within his orbs.

Shaken up and frightened, Britain simply nodded her head. At the moment, her heart was beating intensely as her stomach churned and tied into knots.

"Fuck!" They heard the sheer voice of pain. Kaymen, who had now stood up with Jadey, snapped his head in the direction of the scream just as Britain and Priest had.

Not too far from them, J'Ru knelt over a body, blood staining his hands and clothes. "Jamari, breathe for me, man! Don't fucking do this!" J'Ru gritted to the young boy as his body lay in the manicured grass of the park. Blood seeped through his clothing as his hooded brown eyes were kept on J'Ru.

The sight of Jamari's body lying there leaking blood shook every bone in Priest's body. "Don't close your eyes! I know it hurts, but I need you to breathe more than ever right now, Jamari! Please!" J'Ru implored Jamari as he held him in his arms.Kaymen and Priest immediately rushed over to J'Ru.

Priest reached into his pocket, extracting the keys of his vehicle. "Go home, now," he ordered Britain as he sat the keys in her hand.

Britain shook her head, defying him. "No, I'm not leaving you, Priest!"

"Britain, now! Go home now!" he ordered her with a darker look in his eye and a much sterner tone.

A look of despair flashed within Britain's eyes as she obliged him. As she rushed to the vehicle, she was about to bypass Jadey. Seeing the same fear she felt taking over Jadey, her heart filled with sympathy. Grabbing a hold of Jadey's wrist gently, she took her along with her.

"Come on. He's gonna be fine," Britain assured Jadey, referring to Kaymen. She was having that same feeling about leaving Priest behind, so she knew Jadey needed some comfort.

"Everything's gonna be fine,” she whispered softly just like Priest would whenever she was in deep worry.

Priest took J'Ru’s place so he was now holding Jamari in his arms. Jamari's breaths were shallow and nasally as he continued to bleed onto Priest.

"C'mon, little man," Priest croaked. "I need you to fight. We're getting you some help," Priest spoke to Jamari in a soothing voice in hopes of keeping him alive.

By now, multiple calls had been made for an ambulance. Shock engulfed everyone's bodies as they stood in disbelief at the fact that Jamari was the one impacted by the stray bullets. He was an innocent child who had nothing to do with anything. He left the house with the intention of coming back home to his mother and siblings. Now, there was a chance it may never happen.

Priest was devastated.

He'd known Jamari since he was four years old. He'd watched him grow and had assisted his mother with so much. Jamari was a great kid. He stayed out the way, protected his younger siblings, and did great in school. Priest just couldn't understand why this had happened to him.

"Priest," Kaymen called as he squatted down with a look of sorrow."Priest," he called for Priest once more.

"Jamari, keep them eyes open, man. You got this," Priest continued to encourage Jamari as he cradled him in his arms.

Priest just couldn't fathom Jamari losing his life. What was he going to tell Tasha, Jamari's mother? How would he explain this to Jamari's younger siblings? It just couldn't happen!As he continued to think, Priest couldn't help but to blame himself. If he hadn’t funded and thrown this event, Jamari would’ve been in the safety of his home.

By now, Priest's attire was drenched with Jamari’s blood. He didn't care. He was going to hold onto him until the paramedics came.

"P, he's gone," Kaymen told him in a light voice.

Priest’s dark orbs slowly peered down at Jamari's body cradled in his arms. Jamari's eyes had now shuttered closed, and his breathing had become nonexistent. "C'mon, Mari. Wake up." Priest shook him as devastation settled in. "Wake up!" Priest bellowed. Still, Jamari remained lifeless in Priest's arms.

"Fuck!" J'Ru stressed as he held his head in his hands.

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