Page 42 of Priest

“I got the contract today. I thought a celebration was in order.” I beam with pride. Priest lifts me off my feet, spins me around, and kisses me hard and fast.

“I’m so proud of you. I knew you had it in the bag.” He did say that the other night. I shared my thoughts and plans, and he was right on board, even made a few suggestions that made it better.

“I added some of your ideas, and they were a hit. I think that’s what took it over the top.”

“Bullshit, babe. You’re the best, and they know it.”

I don’t know what comes over me, or why I feel compelled at this very moment to ask, but my mouth has a mind of its own. “Do you want to move in with me?”

Priest blinks and goes silent. It’s too soon! I’ve messed this up.

“It’s okay. Never mind. I don’t know what I was thinking—”

“Yeah, I do.”

“You do?” I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Absolutely. But I was thinking that we should get a place that’s ours. Not yours, not mine, but ours. Maybe a little house, three bedrooms. There’s a place close to Camille and Steady. It’s nice and it’ll give us family to be around. It’s close to the club, but might be a little farther when you have meetings,” he says.

“I don’t care.” I let the words roll off my tongue. “It sounds wonderful. It’s still close enough for Bethany and me to have girls’ night when she’s home. I normally work from home, but if I have to head into the city, it’s not much longer.”

“You want to go see it?” He clasps his arm around my waist, and our bodies meld together.

“Can we go after dinner?” I ask excitedly.

“I’ll make the call. You finish dinner.” I turn back to the stove, and Priest nuzzles my neck, kissing me there. “Love you. You make me happy.”

He’s gone before I can say it back, but I do a little happy dance as I set the table for our special night.

* * *

Priest

Ihaven’t told Quinn yet, but I’m going to marry her. I’ve had shitty times, good times, and great moments. Camille and I are solid, yet even with the Pride, there was an elusive something missing. I worked more and played harder, but none of that ever filled the void. Guard would tell me that I needed a good woman. I just figured because he was happily married to the love of his life that that was his answer to everything. I certainly didn’t think that was in the cards for me. Self-doubt and disillusionment can tear you apart.

Then came this beautiful violet-eyed dream, and as much as I wanted to save her from who I thought I was, she saved me.

When Camille told me about the place a couple of blocks away from her, I drove by and took a look. It’s a solid home that can use a little care, but with Risk’s help, we can get it fixed up in under a month. More importantly, it’s a place to continue to build a life with Quinn.

Dad’s starting AA tomorrow. So far, he’s kept every one of his promises. I keep waiting for him to mess up, but he seems determined to prove me wrong. I’m feeling more hopeful that he’ll follow through.

I make the call to see the house tonight. If Quinn likes it, I’m buying it outright. I have the money, and I don’t want debts looming over my head. I lived too long without money, so with Steady’s help, I learned how to invest wisely and live a good life. It doesn’t hurt that the Pride brothers work well together, like a finely tuned machine, and our businesses are lucrative.

I like the idea of a house to call our own. For Quinn and for me.

EIGHTEEN

The Move, The Bullet

PRIEST

While I’m away tracking a skip with Roscoe, Quinn packs up her apartment. The stuff in my room is worthless except for my clothes. Guard says it’s my space whenever I need it, but I know that I’ll be coming home to Quinn every night.

We’re waiting outside a pawn shop, staking it out for our felon. Roscoe got a lead earlier, and we’ve been here for the past hour.

“Coffee’s crap,” Roscoe says, pulling a face on the first sip.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” I mock. “What do you expect from a 7-Eleven? Cappuccinos?”

---