Page 175 of The Love of Priest

"It's nothing, Gioia," he tried to downplay his feelings to prevent her from growing angry at the article she was pulling up.

Once the front page was pulled up on her device, Britain’s face screwed up in clear agitation. "What do you mean it's nothing, P?" She raised her brows at the sight of her ex-boss Frankie's name in the byline of the inaccurate story. "This whole front page is just based on assumption. The quotes don't even have anything to do with you. She just mixed you in there to get a buzz." She smacked her lips with a deep roll of her eyes.

Priest shrugged while taking away Britain's phone and setting it aside. "I'm not gonna let no dumb-ass paper distract me from what's really important," he told her while placing his hands back on her sides.

"I know, but it's not right," Britain protested.

Priest agreed. "It isn't, but like you say, it comes with the territory."

"Frankie's trying to get back at me. She knows coming for you will get a rise out of me." Britain glared while folding her arms across her chest. Her ex-boss was known for playing dirty, and she wouldn't put it past Frankie to try these types of tactics.

"Don't let that shit get to you. I'm good, you’re good, we're good." Using his finger, he steered her head up to him for their lips to meet for a kiss. Britain, who simply convulsed at his touch, wrapped her arms around his neck loosely as he gripped her sides.

They indulged in a slow, passionate, sensual kiss. Priest, who had plans of being deep inside Britain all week, gripped her rear in his strong hands before maneuvering his right hand to the front of her jeans. Deep in the kiss, Priest managed to unbutton her Good American denim jeans successfully.Just as he was about to free her from her bottoms, the elevator doors chimed, indicating that someone was coming into the penthouse. Priest, who wasn't expecting anyone, instantly pulled away from the kiss, maneuvering Britain behind him. He wasn't too worried about his safety since he had been keeping security tight as of lately, and he knew how to handle his own. Once the heavy elevator doors glided open, his eyes were set upon his mother, Sylvia.

In agitation, he breathed out a sigh. Sylvia had given him a lengthy break by not bothering him as she enjoyed her newfound come up gifted to her by her estranged baby daddy, but now she was back. Britain, who hadn't seen Sylvia since their last run in, suppressed the urge to roll her eyes by eyeing her luxurious attire. She had to admit, Sylvia was a fashionable woman.

Today, she graced the ground with a pair of black, strappy open toe stilettos. She matched the gorgeous set of heels with a nice white dress that emulated an oversized button-down dress shirt. She accessorized the oversized dress with a nice Gucci belt that matched the black Gucci Marmont purse that hung from her shoulder. Sylvia kept her make up minimal, her look consisting of soft hues of nude and brown. The precisely cut middle part bob that she emphasized with highlights cupped her face beautifully. Pulling her look together was a gorgeous diamond tennis necklace, along with a gorgeous set of dangling diamond earrings.

Priest and Jazzy had definitely inherited some features from her, but it was evident that her genes were no match against their different fathers’.

"C'mon, let’s not do this." Priest shook his head, causing the confident smile on his mother's face to shatter.

She eased the blow of Priest’s dismissiveness toward her by waving him off. "I called for dinner. Talia hasn't started yet." She furrowed her brows. "Get a new chef, son. Her cooking isn't that good anyway." She shook her head.

Britain wasn't even surprised that Sylvia didn't bother to even acknowledge her, despite how rude it was. Britain actually appreciated that she didn't. Now she didn't have to play nice with her.

"Look, that shit is dead." Priest shook his head, immediately shutting Sylvia down. "You have shit backward in your head. You can't call my people and tell them what to do or when to get shit done. They work for me, not for you."

Coldly, Sylvia cut her eyes at Priest before shifting her orbs over to Britain. As much as she tried to ignore the young lady, her presence stuck out like a sore thumb as she stood behind Priest with a content smirk smeared on her face.

"Priest, that's not the point," she said as she dramatically waved him off while sitting her purse onto the marble counter tops, indicating that she had intentions of staying.

Priest inhaled a deep breath, hoping to keep his frustrations with his mother at bay. "That's exactly the fucking point. You need to learn and respect boundaries," he scolded her harshly. "Plus, didn't I tell you to stay out my fucking way?"

Sylvia chuckled while shaking her head at her son. "You think paying me can keep Mama Dearest away? You sound stupid. I’m your mother, Priest!" She approached him, kissing his cheek as if she were a doting mother who had been nothing but great.

Priest gently pushed his mother away from him. "Sylvia, get your shit and go," he demanded.

She smirked up at Priest. He was being a lot tougher than usual, and she couldn't help but realize that this was Britain's doing. Taking a step back, her heels clicked against the oak floors. Her piercing brown orbs glanced from Priest to Britain. "He must really love you to be dismissing me the way he is now," she slyly sneered at Britain with a smirk on her face.

Britain furrowed her brows in confusion. She had no idea how she became the person of interest for Sylvia's failed attempt of getting back in Priest's good graces. Britain tilted her head to the side slightly. "Are you sure you haven't gone fucking senile?" she spat.

Priest immediately snapped his head in Britain's direction with his face screwed up. He clearly wasn't proud that she had stooped to his mother’s level.

"Brit, we’re not about to do that. Don’t even go there with her." Priest shook his head. Whether Sylvia put him through hell or not, that didn't take away from the fact that she still was his mother, and he wouldn't allow Britain to just say anything to her. Just like Sylvia got checked for coming at Britain sideways, the same consequences would be rendered to Britain. They didn't necessarily have to get along or love each other, but they needed to respect each other.

Britain shifted her cold eyes from Sylvia, redirecting them to Priest. She definitely didn't think she deserved to be scolded for defending herself against Sylvia. The last time they ran into each other, she was as respectful as she could be, and she wasn't about to give Sylvia chance after chance.

"When you're done with this," Britain said, motioning her finger between Priest and Sylvia. "We should have a conversation."

Britain rolled her eyes as she turned her back, heading to Priest's bedroom to allow him to have some privacy with his mother.Priest let out a light sigh before shifting his attention back over to his mother.

"Well, you put her in her place." Sylvia chuckled while reaching up to dust his shoulders off.

Priest grabbed ahold of her wrist, pushing her hand away from him. "This gotta stop," Priest gritted down at her. "I'm not about to deal with you and the messy shit. Stop coming at my shorty sideways like you ain’t got no fucking sense and stop popping up at my spot. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you you’re not fucking welcomed here," he jeered down at her, his tone harsh and lethal. Priest grabbed her bag from the counter, handing it over to her. She had overstayed her welcome, and Priest had no patience for her showing up again.

Sylvia cut her eyes at Priest before smacking her lips. She hung her Gucci purse from her shoulder, preparing to leave. “Your father is in town," she stated snidely while retrieving something from her bag. She balled up the paper in her hand, tossing it toward him.

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