Page 76 of The Love of Priest

Luckily, Abraham thought quick on his feet and was able to get a piece of evidence about the alleged racketeering they were accusing Priest of thrown out. He claimed that not only were Priest’s bank statements not subpoenaed, but there also was no search warrant on record.

Everyone knew what type of games Hernandez liked to play in court. He bent the rules, but he was still able to influence the jury.Court was meant to be fair and clean. However, everyone who was able to be in attendance of Priest's trial knew that there was no such thing. The opposing side went tit for tat for so long that Britain was beginning to grow sick. The evidence grew more gruesome, making the heated arguments even worse.

Britain's job was to deliver an update to the people, so she did just that. This time, she wasn't able to say much regarding Priest being an ordinary human being with a good conscious since there wasn't much said about that. She still managed to refrain from demonizing him, though.

Her hands were lubricated in warm massage oil as she took on the task of massaging any kinks and tension out of his back. Her small hands slowly kneaded close to his spine as she began working her way up. "You want to talk about it?" she asked as her gentle hands continued to manipulate his back to relax him.

Priest lifted his head and shook it. "I'm good," he concluded.

"You're not good, though," Britain sighed as she continued to massage his back. "Priest, you barely spoke two words to me."

"Gioia, there's nothing to speak on. You were there just like I was. You know what went down," he said to her. He wasn't quite frustrated with her. He just wished she would let the conversation go. Priest didn't like talking about things, especially if he had to move quickly on the matter. Plans were being put into motion, and instead of delving into them with Britain, he wanted to just play things out in his mind so he could weigh all the possible scenarios.

Britain let a heavy sigh draw out of her in defeat. "Alright, Priest," she said, letting the conversation die out. Pushing for him to talk would only make him distance himself more.

They settled into a comfortable silence as Britain continued to ease the tension out of his back. She got lost in her actions, dazing out while she just went with the motions.

"Thank you," he uttered as Britain got off his back so she could wash the massage oil off her hands.

"You're welcome," Britain said to him as she made her way to her bathroom. She stood at the sink, cleansing her hands. Focused on getting all the oil off her palms, she didn't even notice that Priest made his way into the bathroom as well. He stood behind her, keeping a slight distance between them.

Propped against the wall, he eyed her through the mirror. "My bad," he apologized. "Don't think that I'm mad or even frustrated with you. I just got a lot going on right now," he explained.

Britain nodded. "That's not a problem. I understand," she replied in a light voice. "I just don't want you feeling like you're doing this alone."

"I am. My issues can't become your issues, Gioia. Your life is far too put together for me to come in reigning havoc on it." Priest was careful about who he involved in his life. Britain was definitely a curveball to him, and he never expected to make it thus far with her. He felt like she held a pretty solid place in his life, but that was what worried him the most. Being with him or even being associated with him came with a cost. Although Britain claimed she could handle the pressure, Priest wouldn't be too sure until his life applied some. He was honestly avoiding that because if shit went left, he would have to lose Britain, and he didn't want that.

Britain decided not to argue with him because Priest always insisted on being right. With him, actions spoke volumes, so to prove him wrong, she would have to show him.

"Just don't let this get the best of you," Britain told him as she dried her hands.

Priest smirked as he neared her. He wrapped his arms around her waist before dropping his head to kiss her cheek. "I'm always two steps ahead,Gioia. Don't worry about it."

She rotated in his strong arms before wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. "Do you want a family?" she asked impulsively. Priest was slightly taken aback by the question, especially since he didn't think their conversation would turn into a futuristic one.

"Afamily?" He raised his brow, asking for more clarification. Britain nodded. A heavy sigh drifted out of Priest as he seemed to be deep in thought. He never really thought of kids, or even marriage, but he knew whoever bore his children would be the one he spent the rest of his life with. He wanted his children to have the life he never got the chance to have. He wanted a two-parent household and a strong family unit.

"Yeah, Priest. Like children and a wife?" Britain continued to press, hoping he could get a general idea of what she was trying to get him to understand.

Priest smirked before he shrugged his shoulders."Shit like that never really comes to mind for me. If it happens, then it does, but I would like to do things the right way. Marriage, children, then happiness," he explained as his smirk became a smile.

Britain mirrored Priest’s smile. Hearing him say that caused a warmness to blossom within her. "That's cute," she cooed while her hands cupped the sides of his face before slowly pulling him close so she could peck his lips.

Priest chuckled. "C'mon, man." He shook his head, not trying to feel sensitive and mushy.

"It's adorable, Priest. I love the fact that you care about marriage because many men don't." Britain loved everything about unity and marriage. When she was younger, she had dreams of being married by 28. Things didn't play out that way, but she knew it would happen eventually.

Priest shrugged his shoulders. "I like the idea of marriage. My shorty can't testify against me." He nodded his head.

Britain let out loud laugh in disbelief that he considered that, out of all things, as a perk of marriage. "Priest, you play too much" She shook her head, still laughing.

"Deadass, though," he chuckled. "You'll testify against me,Gioia?" he asked her.

Britain lifted her hand, showcasing that she had no wedding ring perched on her finger. Priest let out a hearty laugh, finding her response amusing. "Word? That's how it is now?"

"I'm kidding," Britain assured him with laughter of her own. "However, we won't be in any of those types of situations. Correct?"

Priest nodded his head before craning down to kiss her forehead. "You got my word," he promised her while placing his right hand over his heart.

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