Page 132 of Set me Free

Serenity walked over to the edge of the pool, staring out at the space. "I can already see Gio and Cree running around out here."

I nodded, standing next to her. "Yeah."

She turned to me, her gaze searching. "You really like it, huh?"

I exhaled. "Yeah. I do."

She nodded, glancing back at the house. "Then you should get it."

I watched her for a second before responding. "Yeah," I murmured. "I think I will."

What she didn’t know was that her name would be on the deed too. She might not think she’d be living here—but one day, she would. One day, this would be our home. She just didn’t know it yet.

37

SERENITY

Six years ago, I held her in my arms for the first time.

Now, she was bouncing around my kitchen, cast and all, screaming about how this was the best birthday ever while still in her PJs covered in sprinkles from the birthday pancakes I made her. She was excited about her birthday party, I knew she was. She had been talking about it for two weeks. All her friends from school were supposed to be there, we had even invited her teacher Ms. Bradley.

Creed had gone all out for her party. He always did. He wasn’t about to let a broken arm ruin her fun.

He’d purchased the house we’d toured a few weeks ago, and after much discussion, we decided to put the Phoenix house on the market. With the way the market was moving, we were set to profit at least five million each when it sold. And since this new house was big enough to host all of LA, we agreed that it was the perfect spot for Cree’s birthday party. And of course, because we don’t do anything small, the theme was Cree’s Carnival.

The backyard was unrecognizable. Creed had rented out an entire carnival and brought it to the house.

There was a mini Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a giant inflatable funhouse. Booths were lined up along the grass, handing out cotton candy, funnel cakes, and snow cones in every flavor imaginable. There was even a little petting zoo with ponies, baby goats, and bunnies for the kids.

Cree was over the moon, running around with her kindergarten friends in her pink tutu dress and light-up sneakers, while Gio—being the overprotective big brother he was—followed her like a tiny bodyguard.

Family and friends were everywhere—Arielle, Brodie, Naseem, Egypt, Averi, Sevyn, my parents, Creed’s mother, even Joseph made the trip out.

It was perfect. Until it wasn’t.

I should’ve known Jailah wouldn’t let us have peace.

From the second I spotted her stepping through the French doors like she belonged here, I felt the heat rise to my face, my fists clenching on their own. Creed saw her too. His entire expression dropped, his jaw tightening, his body language shifting from relaxed to agitated in an instant.

Which meant one thing—He didn’t invite her. So why the fuck was she here?

I dropped the plate of cookies I had in my hand and was already making my way toward her, my pulse racing, my hands itching.

"Yo, yo, yo!" Sevyn grabbed my arm before I could take another step. "Nope. Not today, Tootie. We’re not doing this today."

"Sevyn, move."

"Fuck no," he said, voice low, firm. "This is Cree’s birthday party. You really gonna let this messy bitch ruin it?"

I was damn near shaking.

"I told Creed to check this bitch," I gritted out, my voice quivering with anger. "Now, look."

"I see," Sevyn nodded. "But she wants you mad. And you walking over there, giving her the fight she’s looking for, means she won."

I exhaled sharply through my nose, forcing myself to step back.

"Fine," I muttered. "But she better stay away from my kids and if she says anything slick?—"

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